American Mail Order Catalogs with Boys Clothings: 1923--Ward's Bloomer Style Combination Suits


Figure 1.--This was underwear for younger children. Although the styles above were worn by children from 2-12 years of age, this style only went for children up to age 8. While young boys may have worn this style, we suspect the school age children wearing it were mostly girls.

This was underwear for younger children. Although the styles above were worn by children from 2-12 years of age, this style only went for children up to age 8. While young boys may have worn this style, we suspect the school age children wearing it were mostly girls. The ad copy read, "A very satisfactory Waist Unioin Suit for younger cahildren. Fine qualityb knitted cottonin bloomer style, elastic knees. Tubular band top with crocheted edging around neck and arm holes. Reinforcing tapes with pearl buttons. Pin tubes for hose supporters. Drop seat. Sizes 2 to 8 years. State size wanted. 29 D 731--White only .... 98c. Postage, 3c extra."

A reader writes, "From information we have, it would seem that there was no differentiation (at least till the 1940s) between young boy's underwear and young girl's underwear. The differentiation took place as the child grew up. This has held true except the age of differentiation has lowered until now there is differentiation (but not universal) sometime around potty training even though paper diapers have boy and girl prints." Another reader writes, "Did you note that the image of the younger children shows both a girl and a boy in a bloomer styled undergarment. There have been other images of younger children wearing this more girlish style combination suit for the younger age child."






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Created: April 12, 2003
Last updated: 7:35 PM 2/4/2006