Figure 1.--Tunic suits were one of the most popular outfits for younger boys at the turn of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 20th century. Here we have a McCall pattern for a sailor styled tunic suit. McCall's refers to it as a Russian suit. I am not sure why. Some tunic suits were styled like Russian blouses. McCall's mat have used Russian to describe tunic suits in general. The pattern is not dated, but we would guess the early 1900s. It is interesting because it shows that the bloomer knickers were made with a bodice.

Tunic suits were one of the most popular outfits for younger boys at the turn of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 20th century. Here we have a McCall pattern for a sailor styled tunic suit. McCall's refers to it as a Russian suit. I am not sure why. Some tunic suits were styled like Russian blouses. McCall's mat have used Russian to describe tunic suits in general. The pattern is not dated, but we would guess the early 1900s. It is interesting because it shows that the bloomer knickers were made with a bodice.

McCalls

McCalls published an impoprtant woman's magazine which was used when the company began marketing its patterns. The patterns at the time cost 10-15 cents. McCalls was a major American domestic magazine which began to inclue patterns in the 19th century. We note a McCalls tunic suit in 1908. McCalls continues to be a major pattern company. We note that by 1916 that they were publishing a catalog of their patterns which appared to emphasize clothing for women and children. McCalls continues to be a major factor in the pattern and home sewing business. The McCalls webite for Spring 2002 reads, "McCalls introduces the newst designs in glamerous evening and bridal dressing. Browse through the McCalls website and you'll find a great selection of brightly colored children's and infant's wear, cozy sleepwear, fleece-wear, and women's/large sizes. You'll also find fun accesories, hime decorating, crafts and even Renaissance costume patterns!" Notice that there were outlets in New York, Chicago, San Franciso, and Toronto. The Toronto outlet shows how closely tied the American and Canadian economies were and helps explain similarities in American and Canadian fashions.

Tunic Suits

Tunic suits were one of the most popular outfits for younger boys at the turn of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 20th century. Tunics were one of the more enduring 19th century styles for boys. As the 19th Century progressed, another garment was added to the small boy's wardrobe--a smock-like tunic. The tunic suit was a form of jacket, close-fitting to the waist, with a gathered or pleated skirt below the waist. It was often the first boyish garment purchased for a boy after he was breehed and allowed to stop wearing dresses. Some tunics look like simple dresses. At first gance it is sometimes difficult to distinguish tunics from dresses. The tunic is very plain, often the same cloth--in many cases of a dark or muted color. Tunics are generally styled very simply. Some did have dress liked puffed sleeves. The major distinguishing feature is that tunics in the late 19th Century were worn with knicker-type pants just as they has een worn with pantallets earlier in the decade. Girls who wore dresses would never wear them with knickers.

Terminology

Here we have a McCall's pattern for a sailor styled tunic suit. McCall's refers to it as a Russian suit. I am not sure why. Some tunic suits were styled like Russian blouses. McCall's may have used Russian to describe tunic suits in general. The terminology used for these suits was highly varied in contemporary magfazines and catalogs.

Chronolgy

The pattern is not dated, but we would guess the early 1900s.

Construction

It is interesting because it shows that the bloomer knickers were made with a bodice. We are unsure if all tunic suits were made this way, but it seems likely that this was the standard method.

Garment

Here we see the original pattern cover for a "Russian suit" with "knickerbocker trousers". Other contemprary sources use the term "bloomer knickers" or similar terms. It was McCall's pattern 4384. The pattern was available in sizes 2-5 years. This specific one was for a 4 year old. The pattern cover advised, "All seems, outlet allouances, basting and sewing lines are indicated by long (--) perforations." Of course the pattern here is for a basic sailor0-styled suit. It could be made with various materials and detailed in many ways.

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Created: 7:45 PM 2/9/2006
Last updated: 9:51 PM 2/9/2006