Button Play Suits


Figure 1.--This button play suit was one of the dressier styles. It appeared in the early 1920s based on a French style. Notice all the detailed stiching.

HBC is not sure at this time precisely what to call these suits. They appeard in the late 1910s and early 1920s. They came in a wide variety of styles and colors. Like Buster Brown suits and rompers, they were one of the first style of little boys' clothes to appear in bright colors. One of the destinguising characteristics were large buttons that the children could handle. Some of these suits had button-on shorts. Other styles were one piece suits.

Chronologies

These button play sduits appeared in the late 1910s, but were most common in the 1920s. They went out of style in the 1940s.

Styles

These button play suits came in a wide variety of styles. One of the destinguising characteristics were large buttons that the children could handle. Some of these suits had button-on shorts. Other styles were one piece suits. One interesting inovation was the appearance of short-sleeved blouses to go with the suits.

One piece

Many of the early play suits were one-piece suits. The two piece suits became more common in the 1930s.

Two piece matching

Two piece became increasingly common in the 1930s as boys began to regard one piece suits as suitable for only very young children. At first they came with matching shorts and blouses.

Two piece contrasting

Two piece became increasingly common in the 1930s as boys began to regard one piece suits as suitable for only very young children. By the 1940s contrasting sets were more common than matching material.

Colors

Button play suits also came in a wide variety of colors. They were one of the first style of little boys' clothes to appear in bright colors. Typical colors include blue, greem red, and yellow.

Age

Normally these play suits were made for children up to about age 6 or 7.

Gender

Play sduitsd were normally made in destinct styles for boys and girls. Suits through the 1920s with short pants were normally made for boys and not girls.

Material

One of the most popular materials in the 1910s and 20s was linnen/






Christopher Wagner
histclo@lycosmail.com

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Nain casual page]
[Introduction] [Chronologies] [Style Index] [Biographies]
[Bibliographies] [Activities] [Countries] [Contributions] [Frequently Asked Questions]
[Main HBC page]



Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1890s] [The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]



Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Dresses] [Smocks] [Bodice kilts] [Kilts] [Sailor suits] [Sailor hats]
[Ring bearer/page costumes] [Shortalls]



Created: April 3, 2000, 1998
Last updated: April 3, 2000