Boys' Vest Chronology: 20th Century


Figure 1.--This boy wears a blue stripped vest and matching bowtie. It would be an appropriate outfit for his recital during the summer.

The three piece suit as it was called continued to be worn in the 20th century. By the early 20th century, suits with vests were still widely worn--especilly better suits. The were becoming less common than during the late 19th century. They were still normally the same color as the suit. By the 1930s it began to be seen as a particularly formal style and was optional. Thus many boys' suits wre made with just the jacket and pants. By the mid-20th century, vests were the exception rather than the rule. Only the most formal suits came with vests. By the end of the century, the standard vest with a suit was becoming unusual. In the post-World War II era, many mothers decided that a boy just did not need a vest. They are still available for particularly formal occasions, but are rarely worn with a suit. Boys in the late 20th century began wearing a vest and tie without a suit jacket as a dressy outfit--often during the summer. This was a style for younger boys. Both short and long pants were worn with vests. Usually boys would wear bowties rather than neckties with vests.










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Created: December 6, 2000
Last updated: December 6, 2000