Figure 1.--The dress on the right looks like a smock, but smocjks were not common for boys in America. Best describes the dress pn the right as a "boyish dress". The box pleats was seen by Best as a boyish style. Also notice the double strap sandals.

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Here we have a dress that looks more like a smock, but Best calls it a dress. American boys did not commonly wear smocks so this may not have been seen as a boyish style. The model depicted, however, could easily have been a boy. The shovel might also suggest a boy. It that might have been worn by a boy or girl. Note the blue and pink options. The model rather suggests a boy. The Best ad copy read, "FOR SUMMER PLAY this lawn dress with tucks and box pleat in yoke effect; collar, cuffs and pockets trimmed with pink, blue or corn chambray. Extra deep hem. 1 to 3 years ... $1.50."

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This was clearly a dress styled for a boy, although girls may also have worn it. Note the pink option. The sleeves have short sleeves, but are done very simply. The ad copy read, "A BOYISH DRESS of nainsook box pleated, with collar, cuffs and tie of pinkm blue or cirn chambray. Neat, serviceable, ractical. 1 to 3 years ... $2.00" Note the double strap sandals. Most of the other illustrations depict single bar strap shoes. The sandals may have been chosen to depict a boyish look.

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Created: 2:25 AM 2/6/2006
Last updated: 2:25 AM 2/6/2006