Figure 1.--Play suits were the result of raising influence among middle-class families. One play suit we notice in 1909 was "Sprague's All-In-1 Play Suit. The company explains, "Clothes a Boy Complete for $1.00. A combination suit of Knickerbocker trousers and blouse with inner waist forming a complete suit ..." |
We see play suits in the 1900s. This was less common in the 19th century when chldren had smaller wardrobes and play outfits were often the worn out best outfits. One of the major shifts at the turn of the 20th century was more clothing with specific purposes. This was a result of raising influence among middle-class families. One play suit we notice in 1909 was "Sprague's All-In-1 Play Suit. The company explains, "Clothes a Boy Complete for $1.00. A combination suit of Knickerbocker trousers and blouse with inner waist forming a complete suit ..." This approach didn't prove popular, but other play outfits did.
Thisad appeared in the Ladies Home Journal for March 1909 (p. 76). As the oldest still publishing, most respected women's service magazine in the country, The Ladies' Home Journal has always focused on issues of crucial importance to millions of women. Since its first issue in December 1883. This long history make The Ladies Home Journal and invaluable source of information on American fashion trends. Its covered an incredibly wide range of topics beyond just fashion, from the latest medical research and consumer news to parenting know-how, workplace survival, good skincare, nutrition facts and much, much more. It was The Ladies Home Journal who sucessfully merged the elements and produced the right formula, becoming the top ladies magazine in America. The Ladies' Home Journal both empowered women and applauded their growing power. We also notice patterns offered in the magazine.
We know nothing about the Frederick H. Sprague Company other than it was located in Orange Massachusetts.
Here is an interesting ad for Sprague's All-in-One Play Suit for boys.
Sprague made a suit consisting of knickerbockers and blouse with a
built-in underwaist or "inner waist" that had "extensions for garters"
(i.e., garter tabs) so that the boy wouldn't need to wear an additional
support garment over his ordinary underwear.
This wash play suit is only for younger boys--up to the age of 8. One of the features advertised is that the boy can dress himself without assistance from
mother. All he has to learn is to fasten the blouse to the inner
waist with buttons and attach the garters to the built-in waist.
The ad ws captioned: "Sprague's All-In-1 Play Suit". The ad copy read, "Clothes a Boy Complete for $1.00. A combination suit of Knickerbocker trousers and blouse with inner waist forming a complete suit--"All-in-1." The inner waist gives permanent blouse effect and has extensions for garters. Buttons in front--little chap can dress himself. Washable, fast color fabrics in gray, blue, brown, and red Khaki, Galatea, and Gingham stripes and checks. Sizes 2 1/2 to 8 years. Suit complete, postpaid $1.00, if your dealer hasn't it. Give boy's age. Money refunded if not satisfactory. Send for catalog of boys' play and wash suits. Patented. Frederich H. Sprague Company, 65 Main Street, Orange, Massachusetts."
These garments do not seem to have been all that popular, we notice them being offered for only a short period. We notice another ad in 1907 Sprague All-In-1 Play Suit.
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