Argentine Boys Clothes: Juvenile Garments--Romper Suits

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Figure 1.-- Here we see a boy on a family outing wearing a romper suit we think during the 1950s, although the car suggests the 1940s is possible. They all seem dressed up for the park. We suspect this is the European influence, perhaps Italian or French. Argentina had a substantial Italian immigrant population. The little knit sweater ( gilet ) he is wearing was popular in France as well as the rompers. It is a little difficult to tell what his older brother behind him is wearing, but he also is weaing a sweater.

We notice some younger Argentine boys wearing romper outfits. We are not yet sure about the chronlogy. Many of the examples we have found are from the 1950s. We do not know when rompers first appeared in Argentina, but note boys wearing rompers in the 1950s. We suspect this is the European influence, perhaps Italian or French. Argentina had a substantial Itlaian immigrant Argentine population. Many families in comfortable circumstances seem influenced by French fashions. We note boys wearing small sweaters with the rompers. Here we see a younger boy on a family outing wearing a classic romper suit and the small sweaer. These sweaters in France were called a gilet. We see this pairing a lot in France. We are not sure how common they were. We don't see many in the photographic record. They seem to have been mostly worn by todlers. As far as we can tell, they were as in France a boy's garment, but our information is still extremely limited. It is a little early to assess age trend because we have so few Argentine romper images. The age rnge seems to be to about 5 perhaps 6 years olds. Rompers were not just a summer warm weather garment in France and ither European countries, but we see them most commonly in the summer. We are less sure about Argentina. We do not have a lot of Argentine images, but several of the ones we have found show the boys wearing gilets (small sweaters) or even full sized sweaters. We see this even on chilly days when adults are wearing heavy overcoats. As far as we can tell the Argentne rompers were all made in same light-weight material. We hav not yet found winter eompers, only the summer rompers worn with sweaters.

Chronology

We notice some younger Argentine boys wearing romper outfits. We are not yet sure about the chronlogy. Many of the examples we have found are from the 1950s. We do not know when rompers first appeared in Argentina, but note boys wearing rompers in the 1950s.

European Influences

We suspect this is the European influence, perhaps Italian or French. Argentina had a substantial Itlaian immigrant Argentine population. Many families in comfortable circumstances seem influenced by French fashions. Argentin did not have a substantial French immigrant community, but French fashion influences still seem very imprtant. The rompers we see look rather like the ones we see in France. Argentina was a very fashionable country and economic afluence gave many Argentine families the ability to pursue their fashion interests. Argentina had aeconomy in the early-20th century and looked to be making the transition from developing to developed country. Thus many Argentine families were affluent and had the ability to dress fashionably. Tragically after World War II a combination of popularism and socialism undrcut what was once a very healthy economy and prevented Argentina from emerging as a modern developed economy which of course has affected consumer demand. .

Styles

There were different styles of rompers. The ones we have found o far are the classic one peace romper barboteuse one-piece outfits. We note boys wearing small sweaters with the rompers. Here we see a younger boy on a family outing wearing a classic romper suit and the small sweater. These sweaters in France were called a gilet. We see this pairing a lot in France.

Colors

Our imaes at his time are all black and white images so we are unsure about color. We think that the rompers we have noted were ot white, but a light color such a light blue.

Prevalence

We are not sure how common they were. We don't see many in the photographic record.

Age Trends

Rompers in Argenyina seem to have been mostly worn by todlers. But we do see some older boys wearing them. It is a little early to assess age trend because we have so few Argentine romper images. The age range seems to be to about 5 perhaps 6 years olds.

Gender

As far as we can tell, they were as in France a boy's garment, but our information is still extremely limited.

Seasonality

Rompers were not just a summer warm weather garment in France and other European countries, but we see them most commonly in the summer. We are less sure about Argentina. We suspect the same is true of argentuna, but we have not yet archived summer images. We think this is just a function of the small number of imges found. We do not have a lot of Argentine images, but several of the ones we have found show the boys wearing gilets (small sweaters) or for the older boys even full sized sweaters. We see this even on chilly days when adults are wearing heavy overcoats. As far as we can tell the Argentine rompers were all made in same light-weight material. We have not yet found winter rompers, only the summer rompers worn with sweaters. At least in Buenos Aiares and northern Argentina, the winters are mild. We do not ger hard winters as in France and Europe.









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Created: 1:44 AM 12/5/2014
Last updated: 1:00 PM 8/26/2017