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The sailor style was the most popular style of tunic in the United States. Tunics were worn throughtout the 19th century. We do not note sailor tunics, however, unil about the turn-of-the 20th century. Some tunics like the one seen here does not seem to fit into any specific style, but is in fact a fancy sailor tunic. Sailor collars had the prominent "V" front and back flap and were very popular. Many had other features of sailor styling. Other sailor tunics only had the basic "V" feature. There were substantial variations in the styling of the sailor tunics. Some were done with traditional styling or some resemlance to it. We also note sailor tunics done with elaborate lace and ruffle trim. These fancy tunics were of course dressy garments reserved for special occassions. The age range for sailor tunics was a little wider than for tunics suits in general. Sailor tunics were often made in larger sizes than the other tunic styles. The older boys who wore tunics normally the sailor styles. Russian blouse tunic did not have collars. Buster Brown tunics had a wide white collar. Many tunics had prominent belts. They were oramental without any real purpose. Sailor tunics were widely worn in America during the early 20th century.
The sailor style was the most popular style of tunic in the United States. Tunics were worn throughtout the 19th century. We do not note sailor tunics, however, unil about the turn-of-the 20th century. Some tunics like the one seen about 1910 here does not seem to fit into any specific style, but is in fact a fancy sailor tunic. Sailor tunics were widely worn in America during the early 20th century. A good example is the Hubbard brothers. Mother dressed all the younger boys in sailor tunics.
Sailor collars had the prominent "V" front and back flap and were very popular. Many had other features of sailor styling. Other sailor tunics only had the basic "V" feature. There were substantial variations in the styling of the sailor tunics. Some were done with traditional styling or some resemlance to it. We also note sailor tunics done with elaborate lace and ruffle trim. Russian blouse tunic did not have collars. Buster Brown tunics had a wide white collar. Many tunics had prominent belts. They were oramental without any real purpose.
Sailor tunic suits came in several different colors. The most common were blue and white, including stripes. The blue was done in various shades. The boy here is probably wearing a light-blue suit (figure 1). We also notice red whichh was also commonly used for detailing. There were also brown and grey suits. These colors were popular as play suits because they did not show the dirt as much as white suits. Other colors were less common.
The usage for sailor tunics varied substantially depending on the styling and mayterial. The fancy tunics were of course dressy garments reserved for special occassions.
The sailor tunic and other tunic suits were a boys' garment. We have not noted girls wearing them, but some dresses were styled rather luke tunics making it difficult to differentiate. The girls, however, would not wear the knee-length bloomer knickers like the boys.
We note sailor tunics in America made in sizes from about 2 1/2 to 8 years of age in available catalogs. This varied over time and from catalog to catalog. This range is confirmed by the photographic records, although they seem most popular for pre-school boys about 3-5 years of age. The age range for sailor tunics was a little wider than for tunics suits in general. Sailor tunics were often made in larger sizes than the other tunic styles. The older boys who wore tunics normally the sailor styles. We have seen sailor tunics made in sizes up to age 8 years in catlogs. We note mothers often dressing boys in matching sailor tunics. If the older boy was over 7-8 years old, mothers might buy an ordinary saoilor suit for the older boy. She might or might not attempt to coordinate the color or styling.
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