Figure 1.--Best & Co offered a wide range of wash suits for younger boys up to 4 years pf age. We have seen many of these styles made for boys up to age 8 years, but these best suits were mostly for pre-school boys 2-4 years of age. Here are two outgfits done as smocks. |
This outfit is styled like a smock, but the belt gives it a tunic look. Notoce the socking on both sides. It has a white Peter Pan collar and matching write cuffs. There is a string tie with tassels. The pants are cuffed and have ornamental leg hem buttons, an unusual combination. cuff The Best ad copy read, "A GAY LITTLE SUIT of white poplin fresh as May morning, with smocking of green 2 to 4 years $3.45. (A) As above light blue smocking $3.45."
This garment is clkearly a smock. Ameroican boys did not commonly wear smocks, perhaps explaining why Best did not use the term. There are some differences with actual European smocks. One were the hlf sleeves. Smocks were commonly made with long sleeves. The other is the smock here is cit rather short and dies not cover the boy's kneepants. The smocked is detailed with smocking and a patch on pocket. There is a string tie with tassels, anThe smock here is white, but detailed in pink. Despite the fact that American boys did not commonly wear smocks, this outdfit is done in the same sizes as the others. This shows that the modern color conventions were not yet fully estanlished. The Best ad copy read, "IN THE FRENCH PEASANT STYLE this suit of white poplin with pink collar, cuffs and pocket: pink-and-black smocking and embroidery. 2 to 4 years $3.75."
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