Figure 1.--This classic sailor suit looks like one worn in the late 1910s or early 20s.
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Figure 1.--This classic sailor suit looks like one worn in the late 1910s or early 20s. |
The standard sailor suit was a three pieve outfit of middy blouse pants of various length, and a scarfe. This was the case for both blue and white suits as well as suits made in other colors. Sailor suits were made in many different styles over several decades, thus the sctual suits varied considerably. The standard, however, was three-piece outfits. Matching caps and hats of different styles were often purchased separately. During the winter a reefer jacket might be worn. While the styling of the various garments varied over time the basic suit continued to be the standard three pieces.
Figure 2.--This is a back view of the middy vlouse of the suit pictured in figure 1. |
This 3 piece Sailor Suit was found at a high quality estate sale, in southern Massachusetts some years ago. The blouse top has the typical sailor collar with attached tie. The traditional three-stripe detailing is used. There are 4 belt loops and a breast pocket. There is no belt. The pants which I am not positive go with the suit are straight leg with 2 small buttons on each leg as decoration. (Three buttons were more common.) An E-bay seller notes that the pants waist measure is 26 inches. A HBC reader notes that, "Per a 1990s size chart says a waist of 26 inches is a size 14. I do not think that a 10 year old boy would wear a size that corresponds to a 1990 size 14 in the 1920s. If I had to guess I would say sizes for the 1920s would be smaller so that a size 26 inch waist should be at least a size 14 and probably age 14 in 1910-20." HBC believes that this style was for younger boys more likely to be about 10 years old so we are unsure about the waist measurement indicated here. Leg length is 19 inches from top of waist to bottom of leg. Note that the hem of the pants appears to be let out, apparently as the boy who wore it grew a little taller. The blouse top is 20 inches from top of shoulder to bottom of hem. I do not find a size tab. I would guess it is probably a size 10 years. Material is white broadcloth. Pants are cotton but lighter weight than broadcloth. Notice the beltloops on the middy blouse. The knee pants with the button trim date the suit. It was probably worn in the 1910s or perhaps the early 1920.
We noted another vintage boy's sailor suit for sale. The seller described it as a 1930s suit, but given the kneepants we would think the 1910s or early 20s was more likely. The outfit is a two piece suit consisting of a middy blouse and kneepants. It is a blue suit with the white trim on the square collar. The middy blouse had a traditional cut, but is trimmed with two rather than the regulation three stripes. The placket at the neck laces up with the white tie. The pants have buttons on the waist for buttoning the pants to the underwear. The blouse is designed to blouse over the pants. The pants also have the three ornamental buttons at the hem of the leg. The outfit measures 27" from the collar to the hem of the pants; 13" across the shoulders; 14" from the pants waist to the pants hem.
Although sailor suits have generally disappeared as boys wear, some suits were still available for younger boys on special occasions. Here a boy's size 5, white trimmed in navy blue 2 piece sailor-style suit with knicker-style pants. The label reads Sir Alec, Dallas. This might be worn by a boy at a wedding or fior a special Spring "Sunday" outfit. Notably the detailonh has only two stripes rather than the traditional three stripes.
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