Figure 1.--Here we see a range of boys' suits offered by Marshall Fields in 1936. There are a range of school age boys, mostly from 6-16 years of age. There were short pants suits for the younger boys, two of which were done in slightly younger sizes. One of thee offered leggings. We note Eton, Norfolk and single and double-breasted jackets. Some Sears suits were done with two pairs of pants, including mixed pants type, but the Field suit were all done with the same types of pants. None were done with vests. There were also knicker suits 8-16 years of age. And one long pants suit for boys 12-18 years old.
Marshall Field was an American entrepreneur and the founder of coyrse of Marshall Field and Company, This was the best-known Chicago-based department stores. It was renowned for its high level of quality and customer service. The store was especially important regionally in the Midwest. We note a pages with suits for a range of school age boys, mostly from 6-16 years of age. There were short pants suits for the younger boys, two of which were done in slightly younger sizes. One of thee offered leggings. We note Eton, Norfolk and single and double-breasted jackets. Some Sears suits were done with two pairs of pants, including mixed pants type, but the Field suit were mostly done with the same types of pants. One suit was dine with shorts and knickers. None were done with vests. There weee also knicker suits 8-16 years of age. And one long pants suit for boys 12-18 years old. .
The Marshall Fields Department Store in Chicago was named after its founder Marshall Fields (1834-1906). He was one of the great American merchant princes who in his later life became a noted philanthropist. He was a real life Horatio Alger growing up from humble origins. He was born near Conway, Massachusetts. He grew up on a farm. As a youing may he went west just before the Civil War (1856). Rather than finding land for farming, he went to the rising mid-Western metroplis--Chicago. He opened a dry goods store. He was a shy man which his first empoyee thought was not the best dispositiion to become a successful retailer. He formed a firm with associates--Field, Palmer, and Leiter. He had bought them out by 1882, changing the name of the firm to Marshall Fields. He managed to survive the financil panic of 1873 and the Great Chicago Fire. Chicago grew into the greates city of the Mid West, becoming a central railroad hub. Fields and other Chicago businesses bebefitted by the growth of Chicago. Rather than meerly becoming a retailer, Field actually began manufacturing merchasndise sold in his store. He opened manufacturing operations both in America and around the world (including Spain, Germany, Italy, Australia, and China). Field would not here of credit and instituted a strict cash only system. Fields became a major force in American retailing. He succeeded in accumulating one of the largest private fortunes in America and played a significant role in developing modern retailing practices.
Marshall Fields in 1936 offered short pants suits for younger boys 4-12 years old. The age range of the various suits varied. Most were done only to to 10 years of age. One of the jackets is double-breasted, the other two are Eton jackets. One of the Eton suits is a three-piece suit done with a button-on blouse. The drawing shows two other boys wearing short pants suit, but here Fields is marketing overcoats. Most of the boys wearing shorts and knickers are depicted with knee socks. Onr boy wearing an Eton short pants suit is shown wearing ankle socks. At the time ankle socks were growing on popularity. Long stockings were geneally not worn by schoolage boys and knee socks were beginning to decline in popularity but as shown still widely worn.
Children still wore leggungs in the the 1930s. This was mostly younger girls and yongedr boys with bare kegs. This was especially the case in the northern states where girls wore skirts and younger boys wore short pants even during the winter. In the Midwest this meant some very cold weather. The leggings went with the overcaoat that was for buys 4-10 years. the age range for the leggings was not specified, but were probably done in the same sizes. But the larger sizes were mostly worn by the girls. The same group included ads for overcoats and and older boys's long pants suit.
The Fields' 1936 summer catalog offered two knicker suits for both younger and older boys. They were both done in sizes 8-16 years. Knickers were still common, but had begun to decline in popularity. Fields uses the term plus-fours. One of the suits was done with two pairs of pants. Fields describes one as a 'standard' suit, but they look similar. Both had matching flat caps. Notice the difference with the peaked caos worn with some of the short pants suits. Also notice the knee socks. Long stockings were nore cimmon in the 1920s. Patterned knee socks became popular in the 1030s. They were less commonly worn with short pants suits.
The Fields' ad copy reads, "Well tailored, cirrectly styledm long trouser suit in habdsome bew browbm vlue abd grey woolens. The sports back and flap patch pockets are favorite style details. Sizes 12 to 18. Two pairs trosures, one plearted. 4721 -- $24.50. In fine navy blue cheviot, 4721 -- $19.75. The snap brimmed felt hat is the Dexter. 8808 -- $3.50."
