Figure 1.--Macy's offered what they call suits for boys 2-6 years old. By suits they meant sets which had blouses/shirts cotdinated with pants. These outdits are also called "sets" in period catalogs. This is probably a better term to use to avoid confusion because the modern term "suit" is no longer used for outfits like this. These sets were very common in the 1940s. We notice both shorts sets and long sts. The short sets seem more common. Most of these outfits offered by Macy's here are these short sets. The vary among button-on outfits, self-belts, and suspender shorts. The styling clear shows that most were play suits, but there are some dressy outfits as well.

Macy's offered what they call suits for boys 2-6 years old. By suits they meant sets which had blouses/shirts cotdinated with pants. These outdits are also called "sets" in period catalogs. This is probably a better term to use to avoid confusion because the modern term "suit" is no longer used for outfits like this. These sets were very common in the 1940s. We notice both shorts sets and long sts. The short sets seem more common. Most of these outfits offered by Macy's here are these short sets. The vary among button-on outfits, self-belts, and suspender shorts. The styling clear shows that most were play suits, but there are some dressy outfits as well.

C. Broadcloth Sailor Suit

The Macy's ad copy read, "Broadcloth Sailor Suit for school. White braid trimming, belted shorts, and a whistle that really works. White top with navy shorts, or tan with brown. (Ship wt. 1 lb.) C12C -- Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 94c." This outfit was descroibed as a school suit. The sizes re, hoever, mostly for pre-school chldren. We have seen younger boys wearing outfits like this to school. We should not, however, that only 6-year olds would have begun school in 1st Grade. Of course younger children could have attended nursery school and Kindergarten. The illustration of this outfir is with the infant creepers.

D. Pique Button-on Suit

This is the dressiest sorts set offered by Macy's. The Macy's ad copy read, "Pique Button-on Suit, very young looking, with pleated front, white collar, and a ruffle trimming that isn't in the least sissy. Maize or blue. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C12D -- Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 1.41." Despite the Macy's assurance, we suspect not a lot of 5 and 6 year olds would have wanted to wear this outfit.

E. Striped Shirting Top

The Macy's ad copy read, "Striped Shirting Top, belted poplin shorts. Green-and-white with green shorts; or blue and white with navy. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C12E -- Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 1.83."

G. Striped Seesucker

The Macy's ad copy read, "Striped Seesucker sports suit, very masculine. Blue or brown predominating. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C12G -- Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 1.83."

H. Slide-Fastened

The Macy's ad copy read, "Slide-Fastened shirting top, like a real man's shirt, and belted broadcloth shorts. Copen top with navy shorts, or aqua with brown. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C12H -- Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 1.83."

J. Striped Shirting Blouse

The Macy's ad copy read, "Striped Shirting Blouse with separate gabardine suspender shorts. Wine-and-white top with wine shorts, or red-amd-white with royal blue. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C124 -- Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 --- 2.77."

K. Tailored Suit

The Macy's ad copy read, "Tailored Suit with pleated waist, fine ocean pearl buttons, button-on shorts. Blue or white. (Ship wt. 1/2 lb.) C124 -- Sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 12K -- In fine broadcloth --- 2.77. C12K1 -- In linen for dress-up --- 2.77."

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Created: 12:21 AM 1/12/2009
Last updated: 12:21 AM 1/12/2009