Figure 1.--Here a little boy buys an incream during the summer. These trucks would play music which would bring the kids running for a treat on a hot summer day. Americans call this the Good Humor man, although there were many other companies. This photograph was taken in Fresno, California about 1950. The boy is wearing a striped sunsuit, probably with a bif-front.

Summer wear garments have varied over time. Summerwear does not seem very common in the 19th century. Our informnation is limited for the early decades. We know more about the later decades, although there are not a lot of family snapshots showing casuyal dress. Basically people wore lighter-weight garments. Boys might go about in shirt sleeves without a jacket. Going barefoot was common in the 19th and early-20th century. Lighter-weight clothing for summer was comfortable, but not nearly as essential as cold weather clothing for winter. As the 19th century unfolded and American became affluent, we find boys acquiring larger wardrobes with more seasonal garments.We have elaborate details about the 2oth century because of all the family snapzshots. Tunics were popular summer wear in the early 20th century. After World war I, sun suits became popular for younger boys. Sunsmart clothing appeared in the very late-20th century, but does nort seem to have had a major impact in the United states even during the 21st century.

The 19th Century

Lighter-weight clothing for summer was comfortable, but not nearly as essential as cold weather clothing for winter. As the 19th century unfolded and American became affluent, we find boys acquiring larger wardrobes with more seasonal garments. The times of garments in the 19th century do not seem greatly different, but the weight of the clothing and the colors did tend to be different. Of course seasonal wardrobes became even extensive in the 20th century. And we do begin to seen especially made summer clothing. We note light-weight clothing in the 19th century, but many boys had limited wardrobes that did not include seaonal garments. And even when wearing light-weight clothing, usually wore long stockings. An exception here was very young children and children going barefoot. It is interesting that modesty standards were put aside fopr children going barefoot.

The 20th Century

We have a very good idea of this because of the avasilability of family smapshots in the 20th century. Gradually summerwear became increasingly important. This was part of the increasing trend toward informal clothing. A major development was the appearance of socks rather than long stockings for schoolage children. This was the first time that children not going barefoot were allowed to go bare legged. Rainwear was alsdo developed and became important items. Here there were regional differencesd. Light-weight clothing was more important in the South where winters were shorter and milder. Boys in the north in particulasr might not have light-weight clothes. Children might adjust to the weather by going barefoot which meant not wearing long stockings. They might also despense with jackets and vests just wear a blouse during the summer. Increasing prosperity meant that summer wardrobes became much more extensive in the 20th century.

The 21st Century

Sunsmart clothing appeared in the very late-20th century, dbut does nort seem to have had a major impact in the United states even furing the 21st century.

Created: 11:20 PM 3/21/2010
Last updated: 11:20 PM 3/21/2010