Figure 1.--Here we see two brothers wearing identical white or light-colored knicker suits with black long stockings. The boys are presumably brothers. They are with two women, one of which must be their mother. They look to be waring shirts with sports collars, but with neck ties. The portrait is undated, but we suspect was taken in the early 1920s. They look to be from an affluent family. Click on the image for more information.

We see some suits done as seasonal summer suits. These suits were commonly done in lighter-weight material and white or light colors. A social class element was involved here. Working-class children in the 19th century probably could often not have afforded special summer suits. Middle-class boys may well have been able to afford a summer suit, at least families in comfortable circumstances. Chrronology is a factor here. American families prospered after the Civil war, greatly expanding the middle class. In addition, improvements in mnufacturing and the introduction of ready-made clothes meant that the relative cost of clothing declined, allowing families to have larger wardrobes. Even so, boys will summer suits in the 1920s and 30s can be assumed to come from families in comfortable circumstances. Curiously, the type of pants worn with the suits do not seem to have been seasonal matter. One may have thougt that short pants would have been associated with summer wear, but the choice of pants seem more associated with age and family conventions.

Fabric

Suits were done in a wide range of fabrics. This varied chronologically as fabrices chabged in popularity. We note quite a range of fabrics in the 19th century. There were fewer types of fabrics in the 20th century, but synthetic polyesters appeared. They were heavy fabrics like cheviot, corduroy, serge, tweed, worsted, and others for winter wear. Some fabrics like Cassimere and flannel could be done in various weights. Other suits were done as seasonal summer suits. These suits were commonly done in lighter-weight material. We note popular summer material like linnen, madras, poplin, polyester, satinet, searsucker, and others. It is difficult to tell from photographs what fabric boys were wearing, although the weight of the material can often be determined. Catalogs do often mention fabrics which provide some unsights into the fabrics used.

Colors

Color was a factor in seasonality. Winter suits were usually done in dark colors, commonly brown and blue. Summer suits might be white or a variety of light colors.

Social Class

A social class element was involved here. Working-class children in the 19th century probably could often not have afforded special summer suits. Middle-class boys may well have been able to afford a summer suit, at least families in comfortable circumstances.

Chronology

Chrronology is a factor here. American families prospered after the Civil war, greatly expanding the middle class. In addition, improveents in mnufacturing and the introduction of ready-made clothes meant that the relative cost of clothing declined, allowing families to have larger wardrobes. Even so, boys will summer suits in the 1920s and 30s can be assumed to come from families in comfortable circumstances.

Pants

Curiously, the type of pants worn with the suits do not seem to have been seasonal matter. One may have thougt that short pants would have been associated with summer wear, but the choice of pants seem more associated with age and family conventions.

Created: 1:16 AM 4/8/2008
Last updated: 3:35 AM 10/15/2009