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American mail order catalogs offer a very useful time line on changing fashion trends. Major changes took place in American boys' clothing following World War I in the 1920s. Some of the older styles were still worn in 1920. Younger boys still commonly wore sailor suits and there were many different styles. Boys still commonly wore suits. We begin to see some of the newer styles as well. One popular new style was the sport shirt or blouse. We note a Buternick pattern. Kneepants were much less common as younger boys were beginning to wear short pants. The shorts often still had the for older boys. We note younger boys still wearing kneepants with the three buttons trim. Older boys were more commonly wearing knickers rather than kneepants. We note some boys wearing kneesocks. We note different styles of Nazareth children's underwear in the early 1920s. We have found a catalog from the Harris Suspender Company for Kazoo waists. While the catalog is undated, we believe that it was published in 1920-21.
Most illustrations in clothing catalogs and magazines show American boys wearing flat caps and to a lesser extent beanies. A good example is a Right-Posture ad in the Saturday Evening Post.
A variety of toddler styles were made in sizes from 2 to 5 years. These included styles from smocks to sailor suits.
Sailor suits were still worn by American boys. Often they were available in sizes from about 3 to 8 years of age. Sailor suits were made in many different styles. Kneepants suits were the most common.
One popular new style was the sport shirt or blouse. We note a Buternick pattern.
Sweaters were another popular boys' clothing item. We note sleveless sweaters in a Right Posture ad.
Boys still commonly wore suits. Norfolk styling was still popular. Most boys wore knicker suits, but kneepants suits were also available. Older teenagers might wear long pants suits. We note suits made in heavy and light weight material for seasonal wear. The Wearpledge Palm Beach suits here were for summerwear. We also notice a Right-Posture Nofolk suit in a Saturday Evening Post advertisement. There were other styles such as standard single- and double-breasted suits. Most boys except oldr teenagers wore knicker suits. Some examples are shown in a Right-Posture ad.
Knee pants were much less common than in the 1910s, but they were still worn by younger boys. Other younger boys were beginning to wear short pants. We note younger boys still wearing kneepants with the three buttons trim. Older boys were more commonly wore knickers rather than knee pants. Older teenagers usually wore long pats.
Long stockings were still quite common although three-quater socks and kneesocks are now being worn, especially in the summer. Waists suits were the standard underwear for children in 1920 as long stockings were still common. Styles varies somewhat. Sleeves and leg length varied seasonally. Most boys wore short pants, kneepants, and knickers so except for boys living in the most northern states with severe winters, long leg waists suits were not common. Many magazines ad catalogsshow children wearing long stockings. Black long stockings were especially common. A good example is a Right-Posture ad.
Long stockings were still extensively worn in the 1920s and, as aresult, many children wore stocking supporters to hold them up. We have found a catalog from the Harris Suspender Company for Kazoo waists. While the catalog is undated, we believe that it was published in 1920-21. We note a 1920 magazine advertisement for EZ waist union suits. It is valuable because it provides an illustrative domestic scene showing how children might dress in the morning. A similar EZ waist union suits add was also published in 1920.
Nazareth was a very important company in the early 20th cebtury. We note different styles of Nazareth children's underwear in the early 1920s.
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