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One of the most popular styles for todlers and pre-school children, both boys and girls, were rompers. The rompers were a sharp departure from earlier styles for young children which were often very elaborate an constrictive. Loose-fitting rompers were a much more casual approch tobchildren's clothes. They were mostly made for pre-school children, but as they were made through age 6, some children may have worn rompers after they came home from school. Montgromery Ward offered a wide range of rompers for younger chilren. They were made in two types, one for younger babies through 2 years and a style for older children from about 2-6 years. Presumably they were primarily made for pre-school chilren, but at 6 years many children had begun school. They were primarily a play suit made in durable materials. Some were made in fancier styles and materials.
Outfits for infannts wertr calle creepers and had some romper features.
Some of the ad copy provie some fascinating insights to the rompers worn by boys and girls in 1922. Most were clearly play garments. The last one listed here, "Black santeen," does look like one it could be worn for a more dressy occassion.
The ad copy reads, "Charming Dutch bloomer romper of fine chambray. Square collar, suffs and knees of white linene. Belt. Drop seat. Sizes 2 to 6 years. State size wante." The outfit was offered in cadet blue and pink--both with white trimming. The cost was $1.25. Postage was 3 cents.
Gingham was a very popular material for children in the early 20thbcentury. HBC is not sure what is meant by a "peg top" romper. The ad copy reas, "Checked gingham. Square neck, sleeves an bottom of white linene. Finishe with linene piping. Two pockets. Drop seat. Sizes 2 to 6 years." As is typical with hingham, it was available in both a blue and white and pink and white check."
A becoming bloomer romper of good quality stripped galatea. Collar and cuffs of plain blue. Drop seat. Two pockets. Sizes 2 to 6 years. It came in a blue an white stripped color.
The ad copy read, "White repp trimming. Sizes 2 to 6 years." HBC is not sure just what repp trim means, I think that it might mean strippe. It was available in both blue and pink with white trimming.
The a copy read, "Opens full length in back. Sizes 2 to 6 years." Again this romper came inh both blue an pink, both with white trim.
The last one listed here, "Black santeen," does look like one it could be worn for a more dressy occassion. HBC has no actual photographic images to confirm this yet. We have note European boys wearing dressy rmpers, but this seems to have been less common in America. The ad copy read, "Serviceable and very attractive Dutch romper of black sateen. Drop seat. Sizes: 2 to 6 years." It came in black with "old rose" or Copenhagen trimming. I think Copenhagen was a blue shade. An HBC contributor reports that Copenhagen blue was what we would call Delft blue today.
The reader may want compare the 1922 rompers to the rompers worn in 1915. The rompers here are 1 piece not 2 pieces as they were in 1915. The 1915 bloomer bottoms had to be attached to something to stay up. They look identical to tunic suits referred by HBC. By 1922 rompers are all attached and the access for children self help etc are either through drop seats or buttons at the inseam.
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