Figure 1.--Here we see the matching red velveteen peaked cap. Note the peak (bill) and button top. Click on the image fpr a back view.

Vintage American Juvenile Boy's Suit (1930s)

Here we have a younger boy's red velvet suit with a matching cap. It is a suit with a jacket that has a collar rather than lapels. The jacket hs five brass buttons plus extra ones foe what looks like patch pockets. It is a three-piece suit. Not only is there a peaked cap, but also matching short pants. The pants are done as bib-front shorts which I would not have expected with a jacket. I'm not sure how common this was.

Style

Here we have a younger boy's red velvet suit with a matching cap. The little red cap has a 1 1/2 inch brim and is trimmed at the top with a red velveteen button. The suit has a jacket that has a collar rather than lapels. The jacket hss five brass buttons done the front. Each of the two patch pockets on the front are trimmed with matching brass buttons. It is a three-piece suit. Not only is there a peaked cap, but also matching short pants. The pants are done as bib-front shorts which I would not have expected with a jacket. I'm not sure how common this was. I once noted a portrait of brothers dressed up in suits. The older boys were wearing suits. The younger boy hd bib-front shorts like this. I wonder now if a suit jacket went with it. The jacket has a flare to the bottom giving it an A-line look. Both the jacket and cap are lined in a peach-colored material. The little bib shorts have suspenders that attach in the back with snaps. The sides also have large snap closures. The bib is lined in red. Two little brass buttons decorate the bib. The back of the shorts have elastic in the waist


Figure 2.--Here is the jacket. Notice the collar and patch pockets. Click on the image to see a close-up of the brass buttons.

Material

The suit ws done in red velveteen. The jacket, knee length bib shorts and little cap are all done in red velveteen.

Chronology

We are not sure about when the suit was made and worn. It could date anywhere from the 1920s to the the 40's but my guess would be the 1930's from the style of the cap.

Size

The jacket is 30 inches across the chest. The back has a suit jacket vent at the bottom and measures 14 1/2 inches from the back of the collar to the hem. It measures 10 1/4 inches across the back from shoulder to shoulder. Each shoulder is topstitched. The sleeves measure 12 inches long. The waist measures 22 inches and it is 13 1/2 inches from the top of the bib to the hem.. I'm not sure what age boy this was for. I suspect a boy about 5 years old.


Figure 3.--Here are the matching bid-front shorts. The shorts had an elasticized back. Click on the image for a back view.

Conventions

We have noted that youngr boys' suits were commonly made with suspender pants, especially suspender shorts. This was paticularly common for little boys' Eton suits. We have not noted these suits being made with bib-front shorts. We do not know how common this was.







HBC






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Created: 11:18 PM 6/8/2005
Last updated: 11:18 PM 6/8/2005