Figure 1.--Rompers were very popular for younger children. They often came in two sizes, these were made for children from 2-6 years. These Dutch bloomer rompers were available from the 1922 Montgromery Ward catalog. They were made in blue and pink, suggesting that modern colors conventions were beginning to become established. Notice the white socks and strap shoes, suggesting that the gingham romper suit was more for girls than the similarly styled chambrey romper to the left where the model wears more boyish kneesocks.

Rompers were a popular style for younger chilren, both boys an girls, in the 1920s. They were widely worn in America, HBC is less sure about Europe. One of the fabrics use for rompers was ginham, usually blue and pink. Rompers were primarily a play garment anf gingham was consiered to be a serviveable fabric suitable for rough wear like play. Some rompers were mae for more formal wear and for these other fabrics were usually chosen. Gingham was made in different colors, but the most common was blue and pink. Commonly boys woul wear the blue gingham, but this was not always the case. Probably ginham was a more popular choice for girls than boys rompers, but the fact that Montgromery Wards was offering blue gingham romers in 1922 suggests that some boys did wear them.

Fabric

One of the fabrics use for rompers was ginham. Other fabrics were flanelette, fine chambray, and linene for younger children. Older chilren might wear chambray, ginham, galatea, and sateen. Gingham woul be one of the fabrics chosen for play rompers. Gingham was not as important for rompers as say for smocks, but it was one of the fabrics worn.

Colors

Gingham rompers were made in a variety of different colors. By far, however, the most popular colors were blue and pink. Normally boys would wear the blue rompers, but moern color conventions were not as established as is the case today.

Conventions

Rompers were primarily a play garment anf gingham was consiered to be a serviveable fabric suitable for rough wear like play. Some rompers were mae for more formal wear and for these other fabrics were usually chosen.

Popularity

Probably ginham was a more popular choice for girls than boys rompers, but the fact that Montgromery Wards was offering blue gingham romers in 1922 suggests that some boys did wear them.

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Created: January 6, 2001
Last updated: January 6, 2001