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United States boys clothes: suits chrnology 20th century 1950s
United States Boys' Suits Chronology: The 1950s
Figure 1.--Here we see an American a dad and his four sons (John, Joe, Gerald, and Denis) who look to be on their way to church on Easter. It is undated, but we would guess it was taken about 1951, in part because of the cars. The younger boys wears a sporty sweater rather than a jacket. His older brother in the mniddle wears a jacket dine mniore like a casual jacket than a suit jacket. the other older brothers wear light-colored suit jackets. Notice the long sleeves, a sure size that they were just purchased. Click on the image to see more of the cars.
The 1950s in addition to the introduction of man-made fibers saw the arrival of the Continental Look from France and Italy, featuring short jackets and broad shoulders, a shaped waistline, slanting besom pockets, sleeve cuffs, short side vents, and tapered, cuffless trousers. This 'slick' look made little inroad on those who were staunch adherents of the more conservative Ivy League look, but it was a significant phenomenon nonetheless, as it moved Americans further away from the stylish elegance of the 1930s. Suits continued to be less commonly worn as casual styles became increasingly accepted as the suburbs became increasingly dominate in America. Post-War prosperity meant that the average American could now easily afford a car and the car was your passport to the suburbs. Developers by the end of the decade had ringed American cities with sprawling suburbs. Major stylistic shifts ocurred during the decade. Suits and sports jackets were worn with large collars, but more normal sized were standard by the end of the decade. Sport jackets with different colored matrial for the jacket and sleves were popular at the beginning of the decade, but went out of fashion after the
middle of the decade. Norfolk jackets were poular, especially for boys early in the decade, but also passed from the fashion scene. Jackets for older boys and men had very wide lapels, but by the end of the decade had become quite narrow. Some boys still wore short pants suits which were still available in sizes up to about 12 years old. Boys from affluent families were the most likely to wear short pants suits. The Eton suit for little boys which first appeared in the 1920s began to grow in popularity. The Eton jacket worn by American boys was a short, collarless jacket, in various materials. It was usually grey or navy blue and almost always worn with suspender short pants. It was worn by boys from affluent families, but was a much more wide-spread style than in the 1940s. Knickers had disapperared in America during the 1940s. Some younger boys instead now wore short pants suits. A few younger teenagers
in well to do families might wear shorts until they were 12 or even 13. Most American boys by the time they were 7 or 8 years old, however, wanted longs and could be quite insistent. For many it was the first time they drew that
"line in the sand" with their mothers that is part of growing up. Many mothers, however, thought their sons looked better in shorts, but for all but the strongest willed--it was a losing battle. Many men who grew up in this era can recall long running discussions [sorry this link is temporarily lost] with their mothers on the subject. Most American boys insisted on a long pants suits instead, as soon as they were old enough to prevail. The Eton suit with a small collarless jacket was the rage for smaller boys. Boys wearing Eton suits were almost always outfitted with shorts, although often with ankle rather than knee socks which some boys saw as girlish. At about 7 or 8 boys would be outfitted in a more adult looking jacket. Some would continue wearing shorts, especially boys from affluent until about 11 or 12, but most would wear long pants suits.
Fabrics
The 1950s saw the introduction of man-made fibers.
Fashion Trends
We alsoi see the arrival of the Continental Look from France and Italy, featuring short jackets and broad shoulders, a shaped waistline, slanting besom pockets, sleeve cuffs, short side vents, and tapered, cuffless trousers. This 'slick' look made little inroad on those who were staunch adherents of the more conservative Ivy League look, but it was a significant phenomenon nonetheless, as it moved Americans further away from the stylish elegance of the 1930s.
Conventions
Suits were still standard for boys dresing up. And there were still quite a few dress up occasions. Suits continued to be less commonly worn as casual styles became increasingly accepted as the suburbs became increasingly dominate in America. Post-War prosperity meant that the average American could now easily afford a car and the car was your passport to the suburbs. Developers by the end of the decade had ringed American cities with sprawling suburbs.
Major stylistic shifts ocurred during the decade. Standard suits and sports jackets were worn with large collars, but more normal sized were standard by the end of the decade. Sport jackets with different colored matrial for the jacket and sleves were popular at the beginning of the decade, but went out of fashion after the middle of the decade. You still see the contrasting material sports jackets in the early and mid-decde, but by the end of the decade jackets had a more classic look. Darks suits were the most common, although some boys had light-colored suits or sports jackets for Easter and summer wear. Blazers were becoming incereasingly common as an alternative to sports jackets. We also see non-standard suit jackets that were done more like casual jackers than suit jackets. These may not have come with matching pants. We don't recall seeing many of these at the time, but as a boy was not paying much attention to such matters. Tgere would have beenb a social class factor here. More affluent famolies would have chosen the more conservative standard style suit jackets. Norfolk jackets were no longe popular, although we still see a few early in the decade, but also passed from the fashion scene. Jackets for older boys and men had very wide lapels, but by the end of the decade had become quite narrow. Some boys still wore short pants suits which were still available in sizes up to about 12 years old. Boys from affluent families were the most likely to wear short pants suits. The Eton suit for little boys which first appeared in the 1920s began to grow in popularity.
Eton Suits
There were sharp age differences in suit styles. Eton suits continued to be the standard for younger boys, especially boys from affluent families. The Eton jacket worn by American boys was a short, collarless jacket, in various materials. It was usually grey or navy blue and almost always worn with suspender short pants. It was worn by boys from affluent families, but was a much more wide-spread style than in the 1940s. The Eton suit with a small collarless jacket was the rage for smaller boys. Boys wearing Eton suits were almost always outfitted with shorts, although often with ankle rather than knee socks which some boys saw as girlish. At about 7 or 8 boys would be outfitted in a more adult looking jacket. Some would continue wearing shorts, especially boys from affluent until about 11 or 12, but most would wear long pants suits after they graduated from Etons.
Specialty Suits
Catholic boys might have white suits, often short patrts suits, for First Communion.
Pants
Pants became more stndardized in the 1950s, although the cut varied. Knickers had disapperared in America during the 1940s. Some younger boys instead now wore short pants suits, usually with ankle socks. This was most common among well-to-do families. Most boys wore long pants suits. A few younger teenagers
in well to do families might wear shorts until they were 12 or even 13. Most American boys by the time they were 7 or 8 years old, however, wanted longs and could be quite insistent. For many it was the first time they drew that
"line in the sand" with their mothers that is part of growing up. Many mothers, however, thought their sons looked better in shorts, but for all but the strongest willed--it was a losing battle. Many men who grew up in this era can recall long running discussions [sorry this link is temporarily lost] with their mothers on the subject. Most American boys insisted on a long pants suits instead, as soon as they were old enough to prevail.
