Figure 1.--This little English boy wears a very plain romper which looks like a play romper. The photograph is undated, but we would giess was taken during the 940s, perhaps after the War. His brother wears sneakers without hosiery. Click on the image for information about hosiery seasonality.

We are not sure when rompers first appeared in England, but we do note then after World War I in the 1920s. They might have appeared erlier, but we do not note them any earlier than the 20s in the photographic record. A HBC reader remembers during the post-World War II period that he has dim memories of children (younger than 4 years) wearing a combination garment of blouse and knickers, waistless, these were usually smocked across the upper chest, and with elasticated legs, the seat was wide enough to accomodate a nappy. Boys may have worn them in the 1950s, but we have very little information. After the 1960s they seem to have been basically an infant outfit.