French Boys Styles: Knit Garments


Figure 1.--The instructions for this knit suit appaered in the magaazine "Nos enfants" in 1938 (Edition Bleuet Paris). The directions were for a 5-year old boy but the style was worn by boys from 1-7 years of ahe (modèles pour tricot 1 à 7 ans). Note the text refers to "pantalon" for the short pants. This is a convention often adopted in fashion magazines , using inappropriate words to make the clothes seem more stylish. Of course the people would say only "culotte". Note the button-on styling.

Knit sweaters had beem worn for some time, but in the 1930s HBC begins to notice a variety of other knit garments. There were a wide variety of garments for the younger boy, but the primary knit garment worn by teenagers were seaters. Knit playsuits appear--many with short pants. There were both one and two piece outfits. Sweaters and shirts came in many styles. Shirts for younger boys might be made in the blouse style. The pants were usually short pants, presumably because they were considered more appropriate for boys. Other considerations such as the fact that they were easier to make and required less material were also factors. While the pants were mostly shorts, HBC has noted long knits pants as well--especially by the 1960s.

Caps


One-piece Suits


Play Suits

Knit playsuits appear in the 1920s --many with short pants. There were both one and two piece outfits.

Youger Boys Suits

Knitted suits or combination outfirs were made in many styles and color combinations. Knitted blouse/pants combinations for younger boys are often called suits, even though there is not suit javket involved. These combination outfits were made with matching or contrasting blouse and pants. These suits were normally made with button-on styling, although suspender and bib-front styles werecalso available. These were more likely to be play suits. Belted styles were less common. They were very popular for younger boys up to about age 6. This sort of suit or combination outfit were very popular. Often they were knitted by granmothers who had more time and enjoyed making beautiful clothes for the little ones. Younger school boys might wear these suits with a smock for school. A French reader tells us, "The style shown here (figure 1) was still in style untill the later 1960s. If the weather was a bit cold; the garçonnet would add a wool vest or a pullover with his smock. This model were worn by boy till 6 years and also by older boys of 7-8 during summer hollydays specialy in mountains, sea-side, or for playing in a park."

Older Boys Suits


Blouses

Shirts for younger boys might be made in the blouse style. Often the blouses werepart of combination outfits with matching pants--usually shorts. l

Sweaters

Sweaters are probably the most popular knit garment. I am not sure when French mothers began knitting sweaters, but by the 1920s there are a wide varierty of knitted sweaters and patterns availablr for children of all ages. While many knitted garments were for younger boys, sweaters were knitted for older boys and adults as well.

Pants

Knitted pants were usually short pants, presumably because they were considered more appropriate for boys. Other considerations such as the fact that they were easier to make and required less material were also factors. While the pants were mostly shorts, HBC has noted long knits pants as well--especially by the 1960s.







Christopher Wagner





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Created: March 16, 2002
Last updated: March 16, 2002