American Rompers: Design



Figure 1.--This Chicago boy was photographed probably in the eraly 1920s. His romper suit is styled rather like a tunic. I'm unsure what he has in his hand. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

The distingising design feature for rompers were the gathered elasticized leg openings. Other wise American rompers could be quite varied. In France, romper tops were often styled like smocks. This was less common in America. Romper styles were much more varied in America. We noted some rompers styled like tunic suits with imitation belts. These were similar to tunic outfits. German boys wore quite similar styles, but with kneepants rather than romper bottoms as a reader reports. Many romper suits had short sleeves and Peter Pan collars, although the collar was often not white. We have noted some rompers without any collar at all. On many play romper suits the collar was the same material as the suit. The cut of the rompers might be short, but many American rompers were cut fuller with the romper legs coming down to knee height. Romper desigsn tended to be very utilitarian as they were primarily a play suit.

Collar

The collar design of romper suits could vary substantially. Some romper suits were made with Peter Pan collars, although the collar was often not white. The Peter Pan collar was the most common collar for those suits with collars. On many play romper suits the collar was the same material as the suit.We have noted some rompers without any collar at all. The head opening was sometimes done rather as a square sailor-type cut. This was a common design for play suits. There were also rounded cuts like the romper suit here (figure 1).

Sleeves

Many romper suits had short sleeves. The length and style of the cut varied, but short sleeves were usually utilized for rokmpers. Here the sleves come below the elbows.

Back

Photographs of the back of romper suits are very rare. Obviously photographers mostly shoot the front of children so you can see their faces. This is one reason that vintage clothing and sewing patterns are very helpful. We assume that this romper suit opened at the back with buttons, rather like a dress. This would mean to buttons extended from the dollar down to the waistline. Given the age of the children involved, this would make sence because most would need mother's help in dressing. It is also a reason explaining why the bodice of some rompers are done like dresses and smocks.

Waist

The notice some romper suits with largely ornamental belts. Note the belt here (figure 1).

Pants

The distingising design feature for rompes were the gathered elasticized leg openings. Other wise American rompers could be quite varied. In France, romper tops were often styled like smocks. This was less common in America. Romper styles were much more varied in America. We noted some rompers styled like tunic suits with imitation belts. These were similar to tunic outfits. German boys wore quite similar styles, but with kneepants rather than romper bottoms as a reader reports. The cut of the rompers might be short, but many American rompers were cut fuller with the romper legs coming down to knee height. Romper desigsn tended to be very utilitarian as they were primarily a play suit.

Reader Comments

A reader writes, " Notice gaiters on his feet and the fact that the romper looks very elequont. Is is linen with embroidery. Also it is a bloomer romper. The child's age appears 4 or 5 years to me. If you had not mentioned Chicago I would have said German due to the German prince pictures that look very similar except the child at this age would have worn a tunic outfit rather than a romper suit. It also appears to be back buttoning and home made though this is a total guess. The belt is unusual in that most of them were attached cloth belts vs. this leather one with belt loops.

A French reader writes, "What charming look. This romper suits very well to this adorable little boy! And he is with white ankle socks! His hair cut is perfect . A real angel coming from the sky! The garment wearing on his ankles were called in France = Guêtres ( gaiters in English ). If this image is from early 1920 , one can consider that the first puffed romper was invented by the Americans. We french , had shorter styles and with a rouned collar; a large belt with bow, and puffed sleeves. They were made for boys up to age 6 years. And this style didn't change for long time. Ihave seen old American movies with short rompers." [HBC note: This image is undated. We estimate the date at th 1920s, but there is no proof of this. Also this image does not appear to be the most common style of romper worn by American boys. More common were styles with collars.]

Another French reader writes, "It seems it is a one piece model, probably without crotch buttoning . It would be interresting to have a view from the back to see the buttoning arrangement. The mother apparently pull on this romper by the legs. A French mother slipped on the romper by the head. This way was much practical for the boy. His guêtes [spats] are not commun for little boys. Note the ring that he is wearing."






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Created: January 25, 2003
Last updated: 9:42 PM 10/6/2007