Figure 1.--Many of the little boy suits are made to size 7 years. There is also a range of school-age boys suits beginning at about age 8 which we see here. This is a useful page because the names of the suits are clearly labeled. Dallas' was an important Glasgow department store.

Many of the little boy suits are made to size 7 years. There is also a range of school-age boys suits beginning at about age 8 which we see here. This is a useful page because the names of the suits are clearly labeled. Dallas' was an important Glasgow department store. We do not know a great deal about the store. We note younger boys' suits made to size 7 years. Many of the suits here are made for size 8 years. We believe that this age convention was primarily because many boys began their preparatory boarding schools at age 8 years. Thus boys wore the younger style suits through about age 7 and began to wear more mature looking suits at about age 7-8 years. There was much more variation in the ages of boys at schools in the 19th century. The modern conventions were much more established by the early 20th century. British private schools in the seconf half of the 20th century tended to have destinctive uniforms. Brightly colored blazers and caps became more common after World War I abnd were standard in the 1950s. Not only were there destinctly colored caps and blazers, but scarves, ties, jumpers and kneesocks also were destinctive colors or have destincive trim. We believe that this was not yet as common in 1915.

Dallas Department Store

Dallas' was an important Glasgow department store. We do not know a great deal about the store. Hopefully our Scottish readers will know more. There is an excellent website about Glasgow, the Glasgow Story, that includes the entire Dallas 1915 catalog.

Age Sizing

We note younger boys' suits made to size 7 years. Many of the suits here are made beginning at about 7-8 years. We believe that this age convention was primarily because many boys began their preparatory boarding schools at age 7-8 years. Thus boys wore the younger style suits through about age 7 and began to wear more mature looking suits at about age 8 years. There was much more variation in the ages of boys at schools in the 19th century. The modern conventions were much more established by the early 20th century.

Britain

Scotland was part of the United Kingdom which at the time includes England, Wales, and Ireland. The suits here look identical to the styules being worn in England. Notoce the names for these suits are all English names. We notice nothing destinctly Scottish about any of these suits.

School Uniform

British private schools in the seconf half of the 20th century tended to have destinctive uniforms. Brightly colored blazers and caps became more common after World War I abnd were standard in the 1950s. Not only were there destinctly colored caps and blazers, but scarves, ties, jumpers and kneesocks also were destinctive colors or have destincive trim. We believe that this was not yet as common in 1915. Some schools might have destinctibe uniforms, but many schools might use one of the basic suits. Thus several schools probably had very similar uniforms, perhaps sworn with a destinctive cap or tie. We are not yet positive about this abnd woyld be interested in any commednts our British reader might have. Note that the blazer here was clearly pictured as a kind of sportswear rather than the regular school uniform.

Suit Styles

Dallas' offered several styles of suits and other outfits in 1915. These are clearly intended for schoowear. There is some variation in the sizing. We believe the terms here were also used in England. There was, however, differences among retailers as to the use of these names. Some of these suits we have seen used in American catalogs. Others we have not seen before. Cutriously Eton suits are not one of the choices. Presumably they were more common in British advertising and trade publications. All of the suits are short pants suits, except for one knicker suit. Note that the Eton collar was still commonly worn. Also note that all of these suits are shown to be worn with kneesocks rather than long stockings.

Boys' Flannel Suit

Flannel at the time was one of the most common materials used for school uniform. This appears to be a standard grey flannel suit. Note the model is pictured with a cricket bat. The ad copy reads, "RM18--Boys' Flannel Suits, in Plain Grey, Jacket and Trousers. Sizes fitting 7 to 14 years of age, 8/6, 8/11, 9/6, 9/11, 10/6, 11/- according to size."

Duke Suit

This is not a suit style I have heard of before. I'm not sure how common the term was in Britain. The adcopy read, "RM20--The Duke Suit. The favorite suit for boys of 6 to 12 years of age. These garments, lapel on Jacket, Vest to button close. In variety of Tweeds. 7/11, 8/11, 10/6, 12/6, 14/6." The age range here is a little younger than some of the other suits. I'm not sure what about this suit made it more suitable for a yonger boy. It was the least expensive suit."

Essex Suit

This is a another suit name I have not heard of before. The ad copy read, "RM13--The Essex Suit. Three Garments. Jacket with roll collar, Vest to button close, Plain short trousers. Sizes to fit 7 to 12 years. 10/6, 12/6, 14/6 for size fitting 7 years, rising 6d and 1/- per size."

Marlboro Suit

The ad copy read, "RM16--THe Marlboro Suit. Three garments, Jacket with collar, Open Vest, Plain Short Trousers, Sizes to fit 10 to 15 years of age, 12/6, 14/6, 16/6, 18/6 for size fitting 10 years, rising 6d and 1/- persize."

Norfolk Suit

The Norfolk suit was one of the most common style of boys' suit at the time. The ad copy read, "RM10--The Norfolk Suit. A smart School Suit to fit boys of 7 to 12 years of age. Two garments, plain short trousers, Special lots, all sizes one price, 4/11, 5/11, 6/11, 7/11. Better qualities, 8/11, 10/6, 11/6 for size fitting 7 years of age, rising 6d and 1/-per size."

Rugby Suit

The Rugby suit is anotyher style that we do see used in American catalogs. The suit picture here is a knickler suit, but I don't believe that the trouser length was a csracteristic part of the suit. The ad copy read, "RM12--The Rugby suit, always a favorite. Three garments, Band and Button Knicketrs. To fit 10 to 15 years of age. Special Lots at 9/11 and 11/6 per Suit, all sizes. Better qualities, at 12/6, 14/6, 16/6 for size fitting 10 years, rising 1/- per size.

Tennis Jackets and Blazers

The blazer here is described as a tennis jacket and clkearly seen as sportswear. Blazers were also worn to cricket matches. It is a solid colored blazer with contrasting piping. The ad copy read, "RM31--Tennis Jackets and Blazers, in navy, green, and croimsom with coloted cord on edge. Sizes to fit 6 to 8 years of age, 46 and 4/11. Sizres to fit 9-12 years of age, 4/11 and 5/6. Sizes to fgit 13 to 15 years of age, 5/6 anfd 5/11."

Short Trousers

Although not illustrated, there is an ad insert for short trousers. They included white serge short trousers and corded velvet short trousers. I believe thst ciorded velvet meant corduroy. The cord was done in navy, brown, saxe, and myrtle. I'm not sure what color saxe was.

Plain Trousers

Several; of the suits here specify "plain short trousers". I think this meant that they were not kneepants wioth the three button-hem trim."

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Created: 2:22 AM 6/2/2005
Last updated: 2:22 AM 6/2/2005