Images(3)

Boy's Suit

PeriodCirca 1900

Place MadeU.S.A.

MediumCorded cotton, muslin, mother of pearl buttons

Dimensions19 in. (48.3 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Children's

Credit LineGift of Paul Hart, 2001

Object number2001.17.1

DescriptionA little boy's three-piece sailor style suit, consisting of a pleated skirt with attached underbodice, jacket, and dickey-style collar, all in sturdy white corded cotton. The pleated skirt is attached at the waist to a plain muslin sleeveless round-necked underbodice with a rear button closure. The suit jacket is constructed with a shawl collar extending over the shoulders to a square bib back trimmed with cotton banding and two appliqued five-pointed stars. The jacket closes in the front with four mother-of-pearl buttons. The jacket's bottom edge originally had wide elastic inserted in a casing to create fullness. The jacket's full sleeves are gathered and pleated to cuffed wristbands with two-button closures. A dickey, consisting of a front bib attached to a standing neckband with a rear button fastening, tucks into the jacket front. The dickey's bib front sports a machine-embroidered five-pointed star inside a foliate wreath worked at the center.
Curatorial RemarksUntil the second decade of the 1920s, small boys normally were dressed in skirts. This charming sailor style suit would have been worn by a boy of about four to five years old. The suit is displayed on a store mannequin of about 1900, itself a rare survivor, from a Monmouth County dry goods store. The mannequin retains its original turned brass finial as well as its cast iron boots, complete with molded buttons up the sides, providing a sturdy base.

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