Figure 1.--The four boys shown here are age-graded--from about 18 years in the long trousers suit, to about 9 or 10 in the short-pants suit, to about 12 and 14 in the case of the two boys wearing knickers. This was an illustration from the Fashion Review Service. We're not poistive when it appeared, but would guess the early 1930s. Click on an image for a discussion of the illustration.

Besides the fashion magazines we discuss here, there is also a great deal of fashion information in newspapers. These were ads by deparment stores and other local merchants. We note some in the late 19th century, but many more in the 20th century. We have arrchived these ads along with the catalog in the catalog and periodical advertising section of HBC. An interesting question is where the art work for these ads came from. Some large department stores may have had art departments. Smaller stores may have commissioned the art work. This of course would have been expensive. We note a group called the "Fashion Review Service". This group provided advertising cuts to small clothing and department stores that could not afford their own art staffs. We do not know a lot about this group, but they appear active in the 1920s-30s. I'm not sure who the illustrator here was. I have seen some illustrations from this artist before, but I am not sure just where.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Sailor hats] [Berets] [Sailor hats] [Suit pants]
[Eton suits] [Rompers] [Tunics] [Smocks] [Knickers] [Kneesocks]

Created: 1:45 AM 6/14/2006
Last updated: 1:45 AM 6/14/2006