Figure 1.--These American children photographed about 1942 show the different styles of rainwear, hats and coats, that was worn by children. The boys wear short pants or knickers with ankle socks whch one boy appears to have tuned over into a cuff. The other boy wears dark sneakers the other boy leather lace-up Oxford shoes.

American boys have worn a wide variety of coats and jackets. Many like sailor styled reefer jackets appear to have been quite similar to European styles. Others such as the plaid lumber jacket appear to have been more American in origin. A popular style by thr 1920s were leather aviator jackets. Many short jackets, some with fur (or imination fur by the 1940s) collars based primarily on the basic styling of the popular aviator jackets. Duffle coats cut longer than jackets have also been popular, but I believe that thery were primarily an English style. In recent years a variety of heavily insulated, often brightly colored jackets and coats have appeared influed by ski styling. There have also been specialized coats, particularly the water proffed rain coat which appeared after the turn of the century.

Chronology

Styles

American boys have worn a wide variety of coats and jackets. Many like sailor styled reefer jackets appear to have been quite similar to European styles. Others such as the plaid lumber jacket appear to have been more American in origin. A popular style by thr 1920s were leather aviator jackets. Many short jackets, some with fur (or imitation fur by the 1940s) collars based primarily on the basic styling of the popular aviator jackets. Duffle coats cut longer than jackets have also been popular, but I believe that thery were primarily an English style. In recent years a variety of heavily insulated, often brightly colored jackets and coats have appeared influed by ski styling.

Gender

American boys at time have worn specialized coat and jacket styles. At other timese they wore garments that were not significantly differet in style, but perghaps with different color preferences.

Garments

We note many different types and styles of coats. This is a little complicated because some coats are also called jackets. Generally the heavier longer items are jackets. Overcoats are generally longer falling to about knee-lengh. Jackets are lighter and shorter. A heavy short garment can often be called both jackets and coats. A heavy sporty garment is often called a jacket rather than a coat. For example ski garments orusually called jackets and not coats. There have also been specialized coats, particularly the water proofed rain coat which appeared after the turn of the century. Most American boys by the 1920s had a rain coat. It was a necesity in the age when most boys walked to school. English boys might be safely given an umbrella, but American mothers realized that this was a mistaker as boys would use them for swordf fights and other wonderfully boyish devilment. At first the raincoat was a black rubberized garment, but by the 1940s colored versions appeared--at first yellow ones. A popular early style included matching headwear that completely envelopd the head. I believe that it originated with New England fishermen. This style, howrver, went out of fashion in the 1960s. The English ans Scottish approach of amoracks nevrer caught on in the States.

Conventions

Unless a child came from a wealthy family, he or she might have only one cold weather coat or rain coat. Thus they would have to be worn with both casual play clothes, school, or for formal occasions. One reader, for example, comments on figure 1, "The outfits have a thrown together look. The raincoat appears to be a dress-up garment but the shoes and socks seem casual. Could this be an effect of the war and shortages?"

Created: January 26, 2001
Last updated: January 26, 2001