Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
La Mode Pratique had many articles about children;s fashions and raising children. In this article, the author suggests dressing boys untill 6 years old with a traditional romper or a two pieces outfit. The short pants suits are appropriate for older boys.
A French reader tells us, La Mode Pratique was a very popular fashion magazine in France." We are not sure, but believe it is a fashion magazine, or possibly a sewing
magazine. We know that the magazine included patterns. We have few details on the publishing history of the magazine at this time. We do note that it was published as early as the
1910s. The issue here is dated 1926. We do not yet know, however when it was founded or ceased publication. It appears to have had considerable information about children's
clothing. We do know that it was published throughout the 1930s-40s and into the 50s.
Tout comme les grandes personnes, ce sujet est loin de les laisser
indifférents, et leur regard, soudain attentif ou admiratif devant le
dernier achat concernant leur garde-robe, en dit souvent bien long sur
l'intérêt que leur cause cette grave question.
"Est-ce que je suis beau?" disait ce petit garçon de 4 ans, en essayant
son nouveau costume; et naïvement, devant les dénégations de son
entourage, inquiet de ce jeune amour-propre, il ajoutait sans se
décourager: "Alors, peut-être que plus tard je le deviendrai. "Au
demeurant, avait-il tout à fait tort? Il semble que non, et s'il est
dangereux de développer, hors de mesure, la vanité enfantine, un choix
judicieux de vêtements simples et bien compris ne peut que leur
apporter instinctivementle goût de la couleur, de la ligne ou de
l'harmonie.
N'est-ce pas là, d'ailleurs, ce que recherchent nos couturiers, dans la
création de leurs modèles? N'est-ce pas un peu votre but, Madame, en
parant votre fils ou votre fille? Recherchez d'abord vous-même ce qui
leur convient, pour qu'ils sachent, par la suite, discerner par eux-mêmes
le possible de ce qui ne l'est pas.
En règle générale, et en dernier ressort, l'ultime mot à la mode
enfantine est incontestablement la simplicité; même dans les
cérémonies, qui requièrent une particulière élégance, évitez les formes
trés compliquées, les volants trop volumineux, les tissus trop raides.
Adoptez, de préférence, les percales, les toiles de soie, les crêpes de
Chine, qui conviennent pour les tout petits en réservant les souples
lainages, serge, lavablaine ou velours pour le plus âgés.
En ce qui concerne la forme, vous garçons, jusqu'á six ans, seront
toujours bien habillés avec de petits costumes ou barboteuses á culotte
bouffante. Celle-ci leur donne une allure de petit zouave et est
également plus amusante et plus facile á porter, á cet âge, que la
culotte droite, qui souligne une silhouette encore très branlante. Leurs
cousines ou leurs amies seront, elles aussi, très élégantes avec de
petites robes froncées, portées sur des bloomers assortis. Comme
ornement, les smocks de couleurs vives, les broderies ou les petits
plissés incrustés aux manches et au col, gardent toujours une grande
actualité.
Here we have run a computer translation and are just beginning to put it in clear English. We are not yet sure about the precise meaning.
Just like adults, this subject is far from leaving them
indifferent, and their glance, suddenly attentive or admiring in front
of the last purchase concerning their garde-robe, into known as
often quite long on the interest that their cause this serious
question.
"I am beautiful?" this 4 year old said little boy, by testing his new
costume; and naively, in front of the denials of its entourage,
anxious of this young self-esteem, it added without being
discouraged: "Then, perhaps that later I will become it. "Moreover,
was it completely wrong? It seems that not, and if it is dangerous
to develop, out of measurement, childish vanity, a judicious
choice of clothing simple and included/understood well can to
only bring instinctivementle them taste of the color, line or
harmony.
Isn't this what our dressmakers seek in the creation of their models? Isn't this your aim, Madam, by dressing your son or your daughter? Seek initially yourself what is appropriate to them, so that they know, thereafter, to distinguish by themselves
the possible one that is not it.
In general, and in last spring, the ultimate word of the children fashion is incontestably simplicity; even in the ceremonies, which require a particular elegance, avoid the complicated forms, the too bulky gathered flounce, the too stiff fabrics. Adopt, preferably, percales, the silk fabrics, the crepes de Chine, which are appropriate for the
little child while reserving the flexible woollen articles, serge, lavablaine or velvet for older children.
Regarding the style-line, your boys, until 6 years old, will be always well dressed with small ; one or two pieces puffed romper. Those give them a little Zouave-look and
at this age, are more amusing and easier to wear, than the short pants with creases, which underline a figure still toddleing. Their cousins or their little girl play mates will be, themselves also, very smart with small gathered dresses, worn with matched bloomers.
A French reader tells us, "When we speak ot the " les tous petits " we mean little pre-school children less 6 yyears old. Toddlers and infants were generaly called "bébé"
in this period. There w no precise French word for toddler.
A French reader writes, "After World War II, it was permitted for a little boy (like a little girl) to be described by his mother as beautiful. As a result, younger boys before beginning school might have a desire to be beautiful, reflecting his mother's interest. demand to
his mother if he is beautifull. Fashion magazines also tended to suggest very fashionable clothes for boys, especially pre-school boys before age 6. Boys wore rompers or short pants with creases. Little boys less 6 years instead of a romper suit might wear a little outfit suit composed of a sweater and little knitted wool pants. These knitted wool pants of course had no creases and was often knitted by the grandmother. The boys of a good family most commonly in the post-war era around 1947 were wearing a romper or short pants with a blouse, even for a walk at the seaside."
Another reader writes, "Some fashion experts suggested that girls wore a bloomer with their dresses, giving a romper like look. I have to say that the mothers prefered rather the white pants because with their short dresses the mothers were proud that the Sunday their little girls are wearing a emaculate white fancy knitting little pants. The dresses might be just cut to give this style. I perfectly remember that in this period the little girls were commonly dressed like this."
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