Figure 1.--These brothers are probably out on a family picnic. The photograph was developed September 1939. It may have been taken in August. The younger boy wears a button-on sailor suit. I'm not sure what kind of car is in the background, but it looks brand new.

We have some information about sailor suits in the United States, but note that they continued to be adverized for younger boys in mail order catalogs. We also note them in the photographic record. We have also archived some vintage suits. Sailor suits were still worn in the United States during the 1930s. They were, however, decling in popularity. Middy blouses were still commonly worn by girls, but were not nearly as common as they were in the 1920s when they were one of the most popular styles for high school girls. They were less cmmon for boys, but might still be seen by on the younger boys in primary school--especially in the 1930s. While school age boys were less likely to wear them, we note that they were still a popular choice for pre-school boys. Most boys' suits were made in the button-on style both in long and short pants suits. Knicker sailor suits suits were rarely seen.

Mail Order Catalogs

We have some information about sailor suits in the United States, but note that they continued to be adverized for younger boys in mail order catalogs.

Photographic Record

We also note them in the photographic record.

Gender Trends

Sailor suits were still worn in the United States during the 1930s. They were, however, decling in popularity. Middy blouses were still commonly worn by girls, but were not nearly as common as they were in the 1920s when they were one of the most popular styles for high school girls.

Age

They were less common for boys, but might still be seen by on the younger boys in primary school--especially in the 1930s. While school age boys were less likely to wear them, we note that they were still a popular choice for pre-school boys. We note an unidentified 6-year old wearing a white sailor suit for a dress iccassion in 1937. This is the age children bgn school, but we do not know if he has done this yet. We so see a few younger boys wearing sailor suits in the early grades during the 1930s.

Styles

Sailor suits in the 1930s were only worn by younger American boys. We see some traditional suits worn for dress occassions. A good example is an unidentified 6-year old in 1937 posing for a formal family portrait. We mostly we see wash suits which were styled for little boys. Younger boys might wear these suits to school. A good example is a boy in an Ohio kindergarden in 1935-36. A few boys in the early primary years also might wear sailor suits. We see button-on styling and self-belts. While the suits were made for boys, they used much of the basic styling used in actual uniforms, the strips, and "V" front.

Construction

We notice boys wearing button-on suits. the buttons were often hidden by self belts which is likely the case here (figure 1). This was in part the case because by the 30s only younger American boys were wearing sailor suits. Anothe 1930s example of a button-on suit Harold Mussman who looks to be about 5 years old.

Garments

Most boys' sailor suits were made in the button-on style both in long and short pants suits. Knicker sailor suits suits were rarely seen in the 30s.

Conventions

Sailor suits in the 1930s were mostly worn for play or for school. The wash suit made an easily lauyndered and practical play suit. It was thus a popular choice. Most catalogs offered these suits, often in various styles as olay suits. And we see boys wearing sailot suits to school up to about 3rd grade. While primarily a pay suit, the sailor suit could be worn by little boys for dressing up. It was a good choice for family outings like picnics where mons wanted the boy to look smart, but not dress him up. Even a plasy suit when knew could be used fior a variety of relatively formal occassions. The sailor suit had that look that it could be worn by younger boys for dressing up. They were often see as appropriate dress for studio portraits. For really formal occassions, a suit or a traditional sailor suit was more appropriate.

Seasonality

Most of the sailor suits we see in the 1930s are wash summer suits in the 1930s.

Vintage Suits

Here we have boy�s vintage sailor suit from the 1930s. It�s a blue cotton sailor suit for a little boy. The two piece set was a short pants suit and made in the button-on style. It was light blue with dark blue detailing and white buttons. The dark blue dickey was sewn in with blue stripes. There was a rank insignia emrodiered on the sleeve. in with The button-on style was very common for boys up to age 10 in America after World War I (1914-18). The suit had a pocket on the left chest. It measures 19 inches in length and 10 inches across the shoulders. The waist is 23 inches around. I'm not sure hat age boy woulkd have worn a 23 inch waist. I think that in the 1930s that it became increasingly uncommon for all but the youngest boys to wear sailor suits to school. That does not mean that a boy up to about age 8-10 might not have a sailor suit to wear for other occassions.

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Created: January 19, 2003
Last updated: 9:55 PM 8/19/2018