Figure 1.--This English boy looks to be about 5 years old. He was probably photographed in the mid or late 1920s. He wears a standard double breasted short pants suit as an older boy might wear. He wears it, however, with some juvenile touches, a blose with a Peter Pan collar, white anklets, and strap Mary Jane shoes./i>

Many of the clothing styles we think of concerning English boys' clothes were worn during this period, roughly between the two wars (1918-39). The clothes worn by English boys were strongly influenced by social class and age. Wealthy boys were raised at home, with the aid of nannies and governesses. They were often dressed in very juveiles clothes like smocks, rompers, and kilts. Even sailor suits had in England become primarily at outfit worn by very young boys. (Sailor suits were, however, still worn by some older boys in Germany and other continental countries.) Strap shoes were common. Previously younger boys were dressed in Fauntleroy suits, but this generally had gone out of style in the early 1920s, except for special occasions. Once a boy from an affluent family reached about 8 years, he was packed off to a private boarding school. At that point he was generally dressed in cap, blazer, tie, shorts, and knee socks. Any boy arriving at school in more juvenile looking clothes would be teased by the other boys. Thus the age of 8 years was a major diving point in boys' clothing styles. English boys of more modest circumstance would be more likely to wear shorts and knee socks ar an earlier age and would be lesslikely to wear smocks and rompers, although some romper suits were available for very young boys.

Decades

Major changes occured in English fashions after World War I. This was a general trend that occurred throughout Europe and North America. Dress even for children was still relatively formal in the early 20th century. This was a trend noticeable even before the War, but the deprivations and priorities of the War undoubtedly affected how people viewed formal dress. The 1920s and 30s were very similar. The basic difference is that the post-World War trends we observe in the 1920s were nore advanced in the 30s. We see a range of trends. Younger boys no longer wore dresses to any extent. And we see fewer English boys wearing kilts. The peaked school camp became virtually universal. School garments were a major fashion component. Boys at the time unless from weaklthy families had much smaller wardrobes than modern boys. We also notice the gaberdine raincoat, although we are not sure when they first appeared. The formal Eton collar began to be replaced with soft collars. Playwear for younger childen becane popular. Fancy styles like the Fauntleroy suit rapidly went out of style. The sailor suit declined in poularity, a development that was not mirrored on the Continent. Short pants becanme increasingly popular and a little shorter. Long stockings declined in popularity, although knee socks were standard, except during the warm summer weather. High-top shoes were replaced with low-cut oxfords and closed-toe sandals became widely worn. They became a standard school garment to the point they became known as school sandals.

Social Class

The clothes worn by English boys were strongly influenced by social class and age. Wealthy boys were raised at home, with the aid of nannies and governesses. Younger boys no longer wore dresses, except when very young. They were often dressed in very juveiles clothes like smocks, rompers, and kilts.

Garments

There were major changes in boys' garments following World War I. Some of the garments commonly worn by English boys during this period are discussed here. The peaked cap became not only common, but ubiquitous at school. Headwear in general began to become somewhat less prevalent, but not the school cap. Boys commonly wore suits and ties, not only for school, but for everyday wear as well. We see single-breasted suit coats becoming standard. Sailor suits declind in popularity. Sweaters became a popular garment both for shool and casual wear. Short pants replaced knee pants and were fairly standard for boys. Sweaters bec came popular as vests largelywent out of style. Kilts disappeared except for formal wear sich as society settings. Long stockings disappared except at some conservative girls schools and for formalwear, mostly girls forml wear. Knee socks became standards, sometines called long socks. We begin to see ankle socks, especially during the 1930s, mostly for summer wear. Sandals became popular as heavy boot-like high-top shoes disappeared. The standard style was single strap closed-toe sandals. Sandals became known as school sandals. Sneakers called plimsols might be worn during the summer.

Urban Working Class

Although England was one of the wealthiest countries in the world, substantial numbers of the the urban working class still lived in poverty. Many homes in working class neighborhoods did not even have indoors toilets. After World War I in the 1920s there was some improvement, but this varied regionally. Many areas industrial cities such as Liverpool declined because of the loss of large contracts such as naval building. Aftern WorldWar I there was a demand for cuts in military spoending. After 1929, British workers were affected by the growing world Depression.

Rural Areas

Britain was a major industrial nation, but many areas of the country remained unttouched by industry with largely agricultural ecnomies. The conditions of the urban working-class has been given considerable attention in English history and literature. Much less known is the conditions in rural areas and small towns. Here we do not have much information yet, but are interested in learning more about conditions for children in rural areas.

Boarding School

Styles continued to be set by the upper class. Previously younger boys were dressed in Fauntleroy suits, but this generally had gone out of style in the early 1920s, except for special occasions. Once a boy from an affluent family reached about 8 years, he was packed off to a private boarding school. At that point he was generally dressed in cap, blazer, tie, shorts, and knee socks. Any boy arriving at school in more juvenile looking clothes would be teased by the other boys. Thus the age of 8 years was a major diving point in boys' clothing styles. English boys of more modest circumstance would be more likely to wear shorts and knee socks ar an earlier age and would be less likely to wear smocks and rompers, although some romper suits were available for very young boys.

Interesting Link

Some other interesting web sites have information on English boys clothing:

English boys clothing: The 1930s-90s
School Uniform Web Site: Informative review of British school uniforms with some excellent photographs
Apertures Press New Zealand e-Books: Appertures Press has published three different EBooks about New Zealnd schools.

Created: July 29, 2000
Last updated: 4:18 AM 12/18/2017