Figure 1.-- Boys in the 1910s still wore suits to school. It was not as common as in the 1900s, but still very common in urban schools. And a corduroy knicker suit was a school classic. Corduroy was popular because it was hard wearing and inexpensive. A good example is Crompton Thrift Suits. Crompton was an important manufacturr of corduroy. The Thrift suits offered here are Norfolk knicker suits. Both Norfolk styling and knickers were the at the height of their popularity at the time. The ad is undated, but probably appeard about October 1918 just before the end of World war I.

Boys in the 1910s still wore suits to school. It was not as common as in the 1900s, but still very common in urban schools. And a corduroy knicker suit was a school classic. Corduroy was popular because it was hard wearing and inexpensive. A good example is Crompton Thrift Suits. Crompton was an important manufacturr of corduroy. The Thrift suits offered here are Norfolk knicker suits. Both Norfolk styling and knickers were the at the height of their popularity at the time. This was a major departure from European fashions which had been a major influence on americn boys' fashions until the 1910s. In Europe, both knickers and knee pant were declining in popularity d short pants emrging as the standrd boy's garment. Also notice the black long stockings. As with knee pants in the 900s, boys wore long stockinf, mostly black long stockings, with knickers. And high-top shoe also shown were still the dominant shoe type for boys nd to a lesser extent girls. The adverisement does not specify ages, but the boys depicted in the ad look to be older-pre-teens or younger teens about 12-13 years old.

School Wear

Boys in the 1910s still wore suits to school. It was not as common as in the 1900s, but still very common in urban schools. There were major differences beteen urban and rural schools. Clothing in rural schools was much more informal. Many boys wore overalls. And a corduroy knicker suit was a school classic. The boys here are not shown carrying books, but rather leaves they have raked up. And of course Autumn when leave fall is about the time chiuldren go back to school. So these suits are being presented as school wear. The HBC individual school section provides a lot of information on 1910s fashions.

Corduroy

Corduroy was popular for boys' clothing because it ws hard wearing and inexpensive. A good example is Crompton Thrift Suits here. Corduroy is a distinctively recognizable ribbed fabric. Corduroy is often reported to be a French fabric, literally "fabric of the king". This appears to be an erroneous report. Corduroy instead appears to be a late-18th century English invention and initially worn by people of humble circumstances. Cotton corduroy was widely used by workers in the 19th century and became a popular children's fabric by the early 20th century because of its warmth and durability. American boys commonly wore cord knickers to school in the fall and winter. British and French boys more commonly cord shorts. Some schools adopted school uniforms. The German Wandervogel often wore cord shorts as French Scouts did later. Corduroy was eclipsed by denim after World War II, but is still popular for children's clothing.

Crompton Mills

Crompton Mills were an important manufacturrr of corduroy. The Crompton Mill was located in Crompton, Rhode Island. Crompton is located in West Warwick. Large numbers of Irish immmigrants settled in Crompton during the mid-19th century. As a result the city is the location of the first Catholic Church in Rhode Island--St. Mary's Church. The Irish were drawn by jobs in the mill. After the Civil War the Irish were followed in the late-19th century by many Poles and smaller numbers of Swedes. The most important business in Crompton was Crompton Mill. It was part of the early industrial developnment of the United Staes. The Crompton Mill was built in 1807. The Crompton Mill was a substantial granite building. It is notable as the first mill to produce both velvet and corduroy in the United States, althoough we are not sure whe production began. As a result, Crompton for a time was called the Velvet Village. Crompton is located in West Warwick. The Crompton Mill was awarded a golden medal at the Pan American Expedition in Buffalo, New York for making the best velvet and corduroy (1901). Atvthe time more than 50 people worked in the mill. The mill was highly mechanized.

Crompton Knicker Suits

The Thrift suits offered here are Norfolk knicker suits. Both Noirfolk styling and knickers were the at the height of their popularity at the time. This was a major departure from European fashions which had been a major influence on americn boys' fashions until the 1910s. In Europe, both knickers and knee pant were declining in popularity andd short pants emrging as the standrd boy's garment. Also notice the black long stockings. As with knee pants in the 900s, boys wore long stockings, mostly black long stockings, with knickers. And high-top shoe also shown were still the dominant shoe type for boys nd to a lesser extent girls. The adverisement does not specify ages, but the boys depicted in the ad look to be older-pre-teens or younger teens about 12-13 years old.

Ad copy

The Crompton Thrift Suits for Boys ad copy read, "A 'thrift suit for boys' is a suit which looks well, wears well, lasts a long time and may be bought at a moderate price. A 'thrift suit for boys' is a suit which helps conserve the World's supply of wool. The Real 'Thrift Suit' -- a suit which accomplishes all of the foregoing--is any suit made of CROMPTON 'ALL-WEATHER' CORDUROY. This Corduroy repeatedly has proven to mothers that they can economize on their boys' clothing and at the same time give them suits which they are proud to wear, and which outwear suits made of any other material. CROMPTON 'ALL-WEATHER' CORDUROY-- rge kind with the 'Cravenette' Finish--especially made to stand long wear by it protection aginst water damage, in the Corduroy used by the netter class manufacturers of boys suits. Look foir the Crompton 'All Weather' name--the mark of highest quality." Crompton-Richmond Company, Imc. 11 East 31st Steet ... New York."

World War I

This ad apppeared during World War I and there are several indications of this. Note the reference to conserbing wool. The wool was needed for military uniforms. And in the lower left-hand corner we see "Bonds and Stamps Will Stamp Out Bondage". 'Bondage' refers to the German and Austro-Hungarian Empire which included many national groups which did not hve full rights. This of coirse was complicated by the Tsarist Russian Empire, but by the time this averisement appeared, Russia was no longer a factor in the War which was being decided on the Western Front. Te key was proving to be the Americn infantry which absurdly beligerant German diplomacy hd brought into the War. We also see W.S.S. seal with the torch of liberty (from the Statue of Liberty) and the text, "W.S.S. War Savings sramps issued by the United States Government."

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[About Us]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Cloth and textiles] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Topics]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Flat caps] [Sailor hats] [Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits] [Rompers] [Tunics] [Smocks] [Knickers] [Sailor suits] [Long stockings] [Underwear]

Created: 7:53 PM 3/3/2015
Last updated: 7:53 PM 3/3/2015