Figure 1.--This is a green shorts set which the British called a Buster suit and was dated to the early 1940s. Staffordshire University describes it as a 'baby boy's buster suit', I think that means a toddler outfit. Buster of course refers to the Buster Brown character, but the outfit is nothing like the tunic outfits thst Buster asctually wore. It is a button-on outfit consisting of a shirt and shhort pants. It is done in contrasting light/dark green cotton. The shirt has detailing on the yoke, dark green collar and cuffs to match the dark green shorts. The shorts are lined with white cotton.

We notice sets appearing in the 1920s. These began to become more popular in the increasingly casual climate along with the decline of the suit as standard boys' wear. Sets were matching or coordinated shirts and pants. This was primarily an American phenomenon, but we also see them in Canada, England, and other countries. These sets were related to play suits, but were not limited to play wear. It was becoming increasingly common for younger boys to wear more casual outfits when dressing up. The most commin were shorts sets, but there were also long pants sets. They might be worn to school in America. A good example is a green shorts set which the British called a Buster suit and was dated to the early 1940s. Staffordshire University describes this as a 'baby boy's buster suit', I think that means a toddler outfit. Buster of course refers to the Buster Brown character, but the outfit is nothing like the tunic outfits thst Buster asctually wore. I think the British are using the term Buster because it is a button-on outfit. The button-on outfit consists of a shirt and shhort pants. It is done in contrasting light/dark green cotton. The shirt has detailing on the yoke, dark green collar and cuffs to match the dark green shorts. The shorts are lined with white cotton. There are mottled light green buttons at front and two at back. The label reads: Healthwear and CC41 (Utility). The producer was Utility. We know nothing about this company. The University dates it to 1940-45. That of course was during World War II when clothing was tightly rationed and very difficult to obtain. The garment is in the the Betty Smithers Design Collection at Staffordshire University.

Created: 6:27 PM 5/31/2011
Last updated: 6:28 PM 5/31/2011