Figure 1.-- Sears catalogs also offered many knickers suits. Most were for older boys, but here are two specifically for younger boys offered in the Spring and Summer 1930 catalog. |
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Here with the shorts sets are two knicker suits, items U and V. I'm not sure why Sears placed them here, I assume just because the age range was similar. Sears also put knicker suits for younger boys with with the short pants suits. They are all quite similar. The two suits here were done in sizes 4/5-9 years. The placement of knickers suits here rsather than short pants suits suggests that knickers suits were chosen by mothers more than short pants suits, even for the younger boys.
These suits were offered in the 1930 Sears catalog (Spring and Summer), p. 290.
Here with the shorts sets are two knicker suits, items U and V. I'm not sure why Sears placed them here, I assume just because the age range was similar. Sears also put knicker suits for younger boys with with the short pants suits. They are all quite similar. The two suits here were done in sizes 4/5-9 years. The placement of knickers suits here rsather than short pants suits suggests that knickers suits were chosen by mothers more than short pants suits, even for the younger boys.
Specific details about the two knicker suits seen here are:
The ad copy read, "This serviceable little suit of all wool and silk cassimere with Rayon decorations has elastic waist and knee bands. A boon to mothers as it keeps the child's knickers and stockings in place; also keeps the waist from pulling
out. Two-button coat has new peaked lapels and is full lined with fancy
cotton alpaca. Golf knickers lined and bar tacked. SIZES--4 to 9 years.
State age size. 40 V 3344--Gray Mixed Suit. Postpaid 4.45. 40 V 3345--Brown
Mixed Suit. Postpaid $4.45." Note the term "knee bands". That means the leg hem did not have buttons and buckles, but elastic weave bands.
The ad copy read, "Up to the minute style. Handsome long wearing material! Excellent tailoring.
A suit the youngster will delight to wear and one that will give long service,
too! Made of fine gray all wool and silk cassimere with Rayon decorations.
Coat is two-button model with smart peaked lapels. Lined with fancy lining.
Extremely popular Tattersall vest. Full cut golf style knickers full lined.
A quality suit at a big saving to you. SIZES--5 to 9 years. State age size.
40 V 3346--Gray Mixed Golf Knicker Suit. Postpaid $4.98. 40 V 3347--Same Suit
with Extra Golf Knickers. Postpaid $6.48." We thought that since this is a Spring-Summer suit that the second pair of pants might be shorts for cold weather, but the extra pair is another pair of knickers.
On the page with the short pants suit, Sears also offered two knickers suit for the same age group, beginning at age 4. Younger children would normally wear a variety of juvile outfits including rompers and bib-front suits. The jackes were both single-breasted with two buttons. One of the knickers suits was washable. The
small number of suits offered for this age group suggest that it had become increasingly common to dress younger boys in casual clothes.
Notice that the boys wearing knickers seem to be shown wearing long stockings. The bpy in the blazer wearing short pants is shown wearig kneesocks.
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