Figure 1.--Sears offered this informal jacket which was described as a Cossack style. It was as a set with matching knickers in 1939-40. It was seen as a school outfit and was available in sizes 6-14 years. |
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American mail order catalogs offer a very useful time line on changing fashion trends. German mail order catalogs in 1941 still featured many of the styles of the 1930s. Knickers were still worn, but declining in popularity. Long pants were becoming increasingly common. Younger boys still wire short pants, especially in the summer.
School wear had become more informal during the 1930s. Many boys wore informal jackets rather than suit coats. These jackets varied. Some were light wight while others were heavy jackets suitable for all but the coldest weather. There were also sets offered with informal jackets and knickers (figure 1). Corduroy was a very popular material and used for some jackets.
Sears offered this informal jacket in 1939-40. It was described as a Cossack style. It was as a set with matching fully lined knickers. The knickers had knit weave leg closings. These sets were seen as school outfits. One style was available in sizes 6-14 years. A similar set was mnade for boys 8-16. Both were done in corduroy.
A range of suit types were offered for boys. Younger boys might wear Eton short pants suits. There were also shrt pants, knicker, and long pants suits for boys in both single and double breasted styles. Many had belted backs. Kicker suits were still commonly offered, but long pants suits were more and more cmmon. Some companies offered suits with two pairs of pants, one knickers and the other other "longlies".
Sears offered a range of knickers suits done in all wool as well as wool blends with rayon and cotton. The materials included herringbone and casshmere. There were both sinngle and double breasted styles. One suit also had a pair of lng pans as well, referred to as "longies". The sizes ranged from 6 to 7 years. Colors included blue, browm. gray, and green. The knickers were lined, but apparently not the long pants.
Knickers had been widely worn by American boys in the 1930s, especially elementary (primary) school boys. Here we see a knickers outfoot that was made for schoowear (figure 1). This was by 1939 becoming less common. Some boys wore short pants in the warmer weather, but long pants were becoming increasingly common.
Boys in 1939 still wore a wide range of hosiery, although fashions were changing. Kneesocks had for the most part replaced long stockings for knickers by 1939. An increasing number of boys were wearing ankle socks with long pants Almost all the increasingly younger boys wearing knickers were wearing them with kneesocks. Note the image here of a boy wearing knickers with patterned kneesocks (figure 1). A few boys wearing short pants might still wear long stockings during the cooler months, but they were probably mostly worn with long pants. More Wards and Sears still offered a variety of long stockings and stocking supporters for both boys and girls in 1939.
These short-legged, short-sleeved union suits for both boys and girls were designed to simplify dressing by having no buttons at all. They stretch in such a way that they can be put on and taken off without the use of any buttons. Even the seat is constructed with stretch elastic so that they open and snap back into place. These
were clearly designed for younger children who would have trouble with buttons. They do not appear to have been very practical because repeated washings would make the garments loose much of their elasticity so that they would become baggy. This innovation did not really catch on and seems to have been dropped within a few years. Note that in the same advertisement, two-piece underwear for children is also being advertised. Union suits for children were still being made up through the 1940s and into the 1950s. But by the late 1940s their popularity was in rapid decline. [Image not yet loaded] Partial text: “No Buttons or Fasteners on Tu-Way Switch Quickees Union Suits. Features that Make Life Easier for Mothers: Economical, Sagless Drop-seat; Streamlined Appearance; Perfect Comfort; Soft Fabric;
Free Booklet”
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