Figure 1.--This snapshot show three siblings, we think in the 1940s. They look to be about 4-10 years old. The child on the left looks to be a girl. But all three are wearing the same uniform khaki shorts set. The self-belt is more substnial than usual for these shorts sets. There is no accompanying information. We might guess given the steep setting in the background suggests perhaps San Framncisco. .

We see both semi-dressy and casual types. The dressy shorts were often done in a heavier material. The play shorts were mostly cotton, wash shorts. This sort of merged for younger children. And some of the play suits, especially the sailor styles might do for many occasions which formerly required more formal dress. For small boys short sleeve shirt and short pants sold as sets that looked coordinated were popular. This included button-on shorts and self-belted shorts. Short sets were commonly button-on. Button-on shoirts had to be sold as sets. Only done as serts could the buttonson the blouse/shirt fit into the button holes on the pants. The self-belted shorts were at first mostly button-on shorts. A good example is a McCalls one-piece and two-piece shorts set in 1930.

Created: 6:13 AM 1/12/2025
Last updated: 6:13 AM 1/12/2025