Figure 1.--Smocking and embroidery were often used in combination. This smocking and red embroidery is used on a blue gingham smock. Similar combinations were common on boys' rompers. Blue gingham was popular for boys. This smock was made about 1950. I'm not sure what the size was.

Rompers are one of the garments on which both smocking and are embroidery are used for trim or decoration. The other garments are blouses, smocks, and dresses. Emroidery and or smocking can be used on both one piece rompers and the blouses worn with romper bottoms, such as suspender rompers and button-on rompers. Smocking and emroidery can be be used in combination or separetely. The smocking is generally used on the upper front of the garment. Commonly the blouses were white, but often the rompers and smocks were colored or were patterns like gingham (vichy). We do not at this time have information on chronolgical trends concerning smocking and embroidery. We do know that both smocking and embrodery were commom on English smocks in the early 19th century. We know less about French smocks. There appear to have been age differences by the 20th century with both smocking and embroidery more common on the garments for younger children. Rompers are of much more recent origin than smocks and generally worn by younger boys. Both smocking and embroidery were common on rompers, but we do not have information on chronologial trends. Embroidery seems more common on boys blouses than smocking. At this time we have little information concerning smocking and embroidery for dresses, especially the dresses worn by younger boys in the 19th and early 20th century.

Usage

Smocking and emroidery can be be used in combination or separetely. The smocking is generally used on the upper front of the garment.

Specific Garments

Rompers are one of the garments on which both smocking and are embroidery are used for trim or decoration. The other garments are blouses, smocks, and dresses.

Blouses

Commonly the blouses were white. Embroidery seems more common on boys blouses than smocking and because the blouses areoften white shows up well. .

Dresses

At this time we have little information concerning smocking and embroidery for dresses, especially the dresses worn by younger boys in the 19th and early 20th century.

Rompers

Rompers are one of the garments on which both smocking and are embroidery are used for trim or decoration. Emroidery and or smocking can be used on both one piece rompers and the blouses worn with romper bottoms, such as suspender rompers and button-on rompers. Often the rompers and smocks were colored or were patterns like gingham (vichy). Rompers are of much more recent origin than smocks and generally worn by younger boys. Both smocking and embroidery were common on rompers, but we do not have information on chronologial trends. The smocking and embroidery used on smocks and rompers are quite similar. This is because the top or bodice of a romper and smock are essentially identical.

Smocks

Often the rompers and smocks were colored or were patterns like gingham (vichy). W believe that smocking was first used on English smocks which is why it is today known as smocking. We also note embroidery. The smocking and emroidery found on smocks and rompers are very similar. This is in part because the tops of these garments are so similar.

Chronological Trends

We do not at this time have information on chronolgical trends concerning smocking and embroidery. We do know that both smocking and embrodery were commom on English smocks in the early 19th century which presumably why it is called smocking. We know less about French smocks.

Age Trends

There appear to have been age differences by the 20th century with both smocking and embroidery more common on the garments for younger children. Boys wore blouses, smoks and rompers and before World war I, younger boys commonly wore dresses. Thus there are similarities among these garments. The are, however, some differences. Rompers were mostly worn by pre-school boys while smocks were primary worn as a school garment. Blouses were worn by both pre-school and younger school children.