Figure 1.--Thes double-breasted were offered in the Sears Fall and Winter 1919 catalog. They are knicker suits seen as being suitable for school. Note the flat cap and long stockings. Some of the suits have Norfolk styling. They range in dsize from 6 to 18 years. |
The Sears catalog in 1919 offered a selection of blue serge knickers suits in different styles with matching flat caps. Sears used the term knickerbockers. Blue serge or flannel were especially popular for American boys. They were pictured as being buttoned just below the knee and worn with dark kong stockings. They were suits with different age ranges, but their suits made for boys 6-18 years of age. Some have slight Norfolk styling. Thev boys are all pictured wearing flat caps whivh were called golf caps.
The Sears, Roebuck and Co., huge merchandising firm centered in Chicago was
founded by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and A.C. Roebuck (1864-1948). Sears had begun a career in mail-order business in Minnesota 1886. In Chicago he and Roebuck joined resources and formed a corporation in 1893 as a mail-order business under title Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1895 Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) bought Roebuck's interest in firm and became president on Sears's retirement
1908. A retail-store system was added 1925. The first foreign store added in Havana, Cuba during 1945 and becane te first expropriated store in 1960. The Sears-Roebuck brought the production of industry to the fartherest corner of
rural America, opening the cornucopia of the consumer age to rural America. All the new things that were changing American life danced across their pages. Through it, a huge Chicago warehouse offers to modernize the farms and small towns of the Midwest.
One helpful feature of these catalog pages is the terminology used in the catalogs which gives us informstion on comtemprary terms in use. These suits are now commonly called knicker suits. Sears calls them Knicerbocker suits. We note the term "knickers" being used variously in the early 20th century. It was often used to describe any type of shortened-length pants, including kneepants and short pants. The term "Knickerbockers," however, was only used to mean the bloused pants style seen here.
The visual image seen here on this Sears page clearly identifies these suits as a style appropriate for school wear.
The Sears catalog in 1919 offered a selection of blue serge knickers suits in different styles. Sears used the term knickerbockers. Blue serge or flannel were especially popular for American boys. They were pictured as being buttoned just below the knee and worn with dark kong stockings. They were suits with different age ranges, but their suits made for boys 6-18 years of age. Some have slight Norfolk styling. Thev boys are all pictured wearing flst caps.
The boys are all shown wearing matching flat caps which Sears calls "golf Caps". These caps were made in same color and material as the suit so they matched. >br>
The headingb for the pages was, "Blue Serge Suits--Stylish-Strong"
Boys' Knickerbocker Suit of extra fine weave all wool worsted navy blue
serge. Guaranteed fast color. Made in the attractive waist seam style
illustrated above, so popular this season. Back is made with two welt seams
from shoulder to bottom of coat. Half belt with buttons in back. Lined with
alpaca. Full lined pants cut over roomy patterns are made with button
bottoms. Sizes--10 to 18 years. State size. Average shipping weight, 3 1/2
pounds.
Cap to match Suit 40T9254. Made of all wool worsted blue serge in the
popular one-piece top golf style. Full twill lined. Cloth lined inside
pulldown band. Sizes 6 1/2, 6 5/8, 6 7/8 and 7. State size. Average
shipping weight, 9 ounces.
Boys' Knickerbocker Suit of extra heavy all wool worsted 13-ounce fast
color navy blue serge. Made in the handsome convertible style illustrated at
the right. Quickly changed from belted model to stylish waist seam effect by
simply removing the belt. Back has two curved welt seams from shoulder to
waistline. Extra long vent in back. Coat lined with cotton twill. Full
lined knicker pants are well made with button bottoms. This is an especially
stylish suit and will look well on any boy. Sizes-- 9 to 17 years. State
size. Average shipping weight, 3 1/2 pounds.
Boy's Eight Quarter Top Golf Style Cap to match Suit 40T9250. All wool
worsted navy blue serge. Full twill lined. Cloth lined inside pulldown
band. Sizes 6 1/2, 6 5/8, 6 3/4, 6 7/8, and 7. State size. Average shipping
wdight, 9 ounces.
Boys' Knickerbocker Suit. Made of extra fine weave all wool worsted navy
blue serge. Guaranteed fast color. Style as illustrated above. Two-style
double breasted coat may be changed from belted style to waist seam model by
simply removing the belt. Yoke in back with two plaits which extend from yoke
to bottom of coat. Coat lined with alpaca. Full lined pants are made with
button bottoms. Sizes-- 10 to 18 years. State size. Average shipping
weight, 3 1/2 pounds.
One-Piece Top Golf Style Cap to match Suit 40T9252. Made of all wool
worsted blue serge. Full twill lined. Cloth lined inside pulldown band.
Sizes--6 1/2, 6 5/8, 6 3/4, 6 7/8, and 7. State size. Average shipping
weight, 9 ounces.
Boys' Knickerbocker Suit. Made of good quality all wool navy blue fast
color serge in the popular style shown at the left. Removable belt. Coat
lined with cotton twill. Full lined pants, cut over roomy patterns, have
button bottoms. Sizes-- 9 to 17 years. State size. Average shipping weight
3 1/2 pounds.
Eight Quarter Top Golf Style Cap to match Suit 40T9248. Made of all wool
blue serge. Full twill lined. Cloth lined inside pulldown band. Sizes 6
1/2, 6 5/8, 6 3/4, 6 7/8, and 7. State size. Average shipping weight, 9
ounces.
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