Figure 1.--The Dutch woman's magazine "Libelle" on 1949 offered patterns for these styles of boys' clothing. Note that knickers were still considered stylish at the time.
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Figure 1.--The Dutch woman's magazine "Libelle" on 1949 offered patterns for these styles of boys' clothing. Note that knickers were still considered stylish at the time. |
Libelle in 1949 provided a number of casual and dress outfits for boys aged 2-12 including both short pants and knickers. Most of the oufits were short pants outfits. Clearly knickers had not yet gone out of fashion in the Netherlands, but were worn as a dress outfit with a suit.
Libelle was founded in 1933. We know that they were very popular after World War II in
the late 1940s and 50s. A Dutch reader tells us that Libelle is a magazine for woman which
has a special fashion section in it which often included patterns. They not only offer knitting patterns, but all kinds of sewing patterns for mothers and grandmothers to sew at home. Libelle was very popular in the Netherlands as well as Flemish areas of Belgium. Libelle still exists today. The magazine has an internet site, but as it is in Dutch, we can not read it. It appears to be evolving into a life-style magazine and does not give the same attention to fashion as they once did. There are today far fewer patterns, reflecting the fact that fewer Futch mothers now sew their own and their children's clothes.
The garments shown here are for boys from 2-12 years, varying with each outfit.
Libelle in one 1949 issue offered five different casual and dress outfits for boys. The page is headed "Heren in de dop" ("Budding gentlemen"). Most of the garments were short pants outfits, but there was a knicker suit for boys.
The Dutch translates as "tiedup boys suit". We believe tghis is how the dutch translate suspender shorts when the short or blouse matches are os coordinated with suspender shorts. The flat collar is made of the same material as the shorts. Patterns wre available for sizes 2-4-6 years.
Sports-shirt for little boys made out of smooth linen. Patterns available in sizes 4-6-8 years.
Boys suit with a bolero (short) jacket. Flat, round collar. Pattern available for 3-5 years.
Sports-shirt for boys out of woolen chequered material trimmed with two big pockets, epaulettes and a tie out of the same material. Matching shorts. Pattern available for sizes 6-8-10-12 years.
Boys suit made out of woolen tweed. With the plus-fours (knickers) and a waisted coat with two stitched pockets. On the left set a little slit pocket is made. The pattern was made for sizes 6, 8, and 10 years.
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