** American mail order catalogs with boys clothe s-- 1912 : National Norfolk knicker suits








National Norfolk Knicker Suits, 1912


Figure 1.--National offered these two Norfolk knicker suits in brown and grey. Note that brown was at the time a very popular color for boy's suits and pants. They were made in sizes 7 to 17/18 years. This means school age boys from grammar school through high school.

National offered these two Norfolk knicker suits in brown and grey. Note that brown was at the time a very popular color for boy's suits and pants. Both suit and pants were lined. I am not positive about the use of the term Cassimere with these suits. They were made in sizes 7 to 17/18 years. The three-piece suits consist of a jacket, knickers, and detachable belt.

National Cloak and Suit Company

The National Cloak and Suit company is not a firm we know much about. All we know at this time is that it was located in New York. It appears to be a substantial company. We notice the company advertising in the February 1903 issue of the Delineator. We notice a catalog offering wommen's clothes ("My Lady's Wardrobe") for Spring-Summer 1904. The first catalog we notice offering a full range of clothing is from 1909, but there may have been earlier ones. The 1912 catalog contains a wide range of merchandise. We do not know when the company was founded, but the use of "cloak" in the company name suggests an older company. We also do not know when company closed. We do note a 1920 catalog with very stylish women's clothes. As far as we know, it was purely a catalog company.

Cassimere

We note adds at the turn of the 20th century for boys suits made out of cassimere. We are not sure at this time just what cassimere was. Sears tells us that it was a fabric that was part wool, but we have no other details at this time. Because it sounds like Cashmere, we think it was an effort to make a less expensive fabric sound like expensive Cashmere. At the time there were no consumer protection laws protecting the public from misleading advertisement.

Norfolk Knicker Suits

National offered these two Norfolk knicker suits in brown and grey. Note that brown was at the time a very popular color for boy's suits and pants. They were made in sizes 7 to 17/18 years. This means school age boys from grammar school through high school.

Excellent Cassimere

The National ad copy read, "18K461--We have grouped under this number some of our very finest Cassimere Norfolk Suits. Some are All-Wool, wtghers wool-and-cotton--but all previously sold for considerably more. All warmly lined--some with wool alpaca. Detachable buckle belt, lined knickerbockers. Order early to get the choicest of the lot. Grey or Brown Mixture. SIZES 7 to 18 years. State age and color preferred. Sale price, $7.87. Postage 10c extra."

Wool-Mixed Cassimere

The National ad copy read, "18K524--During this 60-day Sale you get this Boy's good weight, well-made Wool-and-cotton Cassimere Suit for less than we could buy it today--$3.29. The smart style Coat has a three-piece belt with detachable front sections, three patch pockets and a durable lining of strong twill. The knickerbockers have all the usual pockets and fittings . Grey only. SIZES: 7 to 17 years. .... $$3.29. Postage 6c extra."

Norfolk Suits

One of the more popular styles for boys until recent years has been the Norfolk jacket. It was, however, not exclusively a boy's style. It was developed for the Duke oF Norfolk during the early 19th century for country outings. It was initially worn without matching trousers. Instead knickers were worn. it was widely worn by boys from the 1870s to the 1930s. The Norfolk jacket was most popular in England, but widely worn in America as well--at least by boys.






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Created: 4:44 PM 10/29/2004
Last updated: 4:44 PM 10/29/2004