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. These two sailor suit outfits were done in a slightly larger size than the outfits on the page. We might have guess outfit W-214 would be for an older boy, but it was actually outfit W-215.

W-214

Here we have a sailor suit outfit done with some Norfolk styling. The suit is sone as a tunic outfit rather than button-on styling. The kneepants have ornamental buttons at the leg hem. It is shown with a plain white dickey with a blue neck hem. There is a rank ensignia on the sleeve. Notice the elephant pull toy. This was done to size 5 years in a slightly larger size than the other Best outfits on this page. The Best ad copy read, "WHITE LIGHT-WEIGHT REPP. Blue cotton sailor collar and belt. Red Tie. 2 to 5 years $3.25."

W-215

This sailor suit outfit is done with button-on styling. It was done in sizes up to 6 years of age, a larger size than the other suits on this page. We might have guessed that outfit W-214 would be for an older boy, but it was actually outfit W-215. Often suits with large buttons like this are called Oliver Twist suits, even those done with sailor styling. The kneepants here look to be cuffed, but do not have the ornamental buttons at the leg hem. The Best ad copy read, "BLUE COTTON BLOUSE AND TROUSERS Red eagle ebroidery on sleeve 2 to 6 years $3.45."

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Created: 2:32 AM 2/8/2006
Last updated: 2:32 AM 2/8/2006