Figure 1.--This romper outfit appeared in the Montgromery Ward 1922 catalog. It was called a Dutch romper, I'm not sure why. It came in botth pink and blue, suggesting that color conventions existed at this time. It was made in sizes 2-6 years.

HBC believes that rompers first appeared in America during the late 1890s as dresses became less common for younger children. HBC has not noted rompers before the late 1890s. Rompers in America were most common in the 1910s and 20s. The Montgromery Ward catalog, for example, had a wide selection of rompers in their 1920s catalogs. Rompers tened to be quite roomy garments, often worn at knee leength. HBC has noted rompers worn by boys on the Continent as late as the early 1950s, but not by American boys. Rompers have never totally disappeared. They are still available in 2000, but only for infant boys and younger todlers.

The 1890s

HBC believes that rompers first appeared in America during the late 1890s as dresses became less common for younger children. HBC has not noted rompers before the late 1890s.

The 1910s

Rompers in America became a popular style for younger boys. I am not sure about the gender conventions. I think that younger girls also wore rompers in America, but am not yet positive about this. We do have some images showing girls wearing rompers. How common this was I am not sure. I do know that older American girls were wearing a kind of romper or bloomer suit became a standard for girls' gym classes in high schools.

The 1920s

Rompers were most common in the 20s. They were available in many stylesd, The Montgromery Ward catalog, for example, had a wide selection of rompers in their 1920s catalogs. The rompers worn in the 1920s teneded to be quite roomy garments, often worn at knee leength. Some were called "Dutch" rompers. I am not sure yet what the specific characteristics of a Dutch romper were.

The 1930s

The French romper or "barboteuse" was becoming a standard garment for pre-school French boys in the 1930s. In America the romper declined in popularity during the 1930s. We do note one HBC reader who recalls wearing rompers in the late 1930s and early 40s. They were wool rompers knitted by his grandmother.

The 1950s

HBC has noted rompers worn by boys on the Continent as late as the early 1950s, but not usually by American boys. Girls were still wearing the romper or bloomer style gym uniform in the 1950s, but by the end of the decade shorts were becoming much more common.

The 2000s

Rompers have never totally disappeared. They are still available in 2000, but only for infant boys and younger todlers. Many internet retailers offer rompers. Companies like Willbeth, Truffles (sizes uo to 3 years), and House of Hatten. A French reader was impressed with the House of Hatten. She noted a smocked bib for baby (very fashionable in France before the 1960s). But what struck her was the puffed romper, smocked, with short puffed sleeves. She reports that this is a virtual copy of the classic French romper worn in the 1930s-50s, except that there is no back tieing bow.

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1890s] [The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Dresses] [Smocks] [Bodice kilts] [Kilts] [Sailor suits] [Sailor hats]
[Ring bearer/page costumes] [Shortalls]

Created: November 7, 1999
Last updated: April 13, 2002