Figure 1.--Before and after World War II, French fashion and kniting magazines carried many fashionable knit outfits for boys. Blouses and romper or short pants were popular styles for younger boys. Note the button-on style. The buttons seem set higher on the waistine than was common with American button-on styles. This image is from a Spring 1937 magazine. The boy is in a sandpit in front of his house. |
As in most countries, sweaters were one of the most popular knit garments for boys. Sweaters and other cold weather knitted items like mittens and caps do not dominate French knitwear. Knit garments were also worn during the summer as casual garments. We note a variety of knit suits or tops and shorts combinations. After World War II, French fashion and kniting magazines carried many fashionable knit outfits for boys. Blouses and romper or short pants were popular styles for younger boys. Many of these were very stylishly and popular for younger boys at mid-century. Many of the shorts sets were made in the button-on style. There were even knit bathing suits, but boys did not like them. One French reader tells us about his wool knit bathing suit. Snowsuits seem less popular in France than in Germany and other countries, presumably for climatic reasons.
A Frebch reader tells us that before World War II, French babies often wore at home a sort of very short dress in wool called a " brassière ". This brassière could also be in linen (linon), popeline (popeline) or other fabric with emboiteries and lace. During the winter the wool knit was most common. Grandmothers loved knitting these little dresses for the newest baby. They hadn't any pants, but instead a diaper was worn. Once the baby was toilet trained, they wore a little very short underpants buttoned at the undershirt. They practicly always wore a a bib pined with a barrette. When taking outside, they were usually dressed in a romper, often with emdroidery work and sometimes lace. During the winter long sleeve knit rompers were worn. It was also quite common for French families to dress todlers with a back buttoning smock, but these were not knitted.
A popular style for mostly pre-school boys from the 1930s-50s was various types of romper suits. There were both one and two piece suits. Knit rompers were especially popular for inter wer, often with long sleeves. Knit rompers were, however, also mafe for summer, even beach wear. A goof example is a Mode Pratique two-piece brother-sister outfit in the August 10, 1947.
As in most countries, sweaters were one of the most popular knit garments for boys. Sweaters and other cold weather knitted items like mittens and caps do not dominate French knitwear.
Knit garments were also worn during the summer as casual garments. We note a variety of knit suits or tops and shorts combinations. After World War II, French fashion and kniting magazines carried many fashionable knit outfits for boys. Blouses and romper or short pants were popular styles for younger boys. Many of these were very stylishly and popular for younger boys at mid-century. The blouses could be quite fancy with ruffled collars, ballon sleeves, and other elaborate derailing. Many of the shorts sets were made in the button-on style. Normally the short pants were cut quite short.
Snowsuits seem less popular in France than in Germany and other countries, presumably for climatic reasons. Snowsuits were not the only winterwear. We also also notice wool cardigans and shorts sets as wella as other winter outfits such as woolen rompers. On chilly days a younger boy might wear a gilet or short (waist-level) sweater with romper suits or shorts sets.
There were even knit bathing suits, but boys did not like them. One French reader, Jacques, tells us about his wool knit bathing suit.
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