Shown here are some pages from Sears catalogs, published between 1918 and 1920. These were taken from the children’s clothing section. Some of the product descriptions read:
- $9.50 Fancy Brown Striped Wool Mixed Worsted: Boys’ Long Pants School Suit in dark brown herringbone weave effect with indistinct striped formed by bright blue threads. Threaded tan and maroon color decorations make the pattern a most pleasing one. 90 percent wool worsted material. Finely tailored. Long roll lapel, two-button single breasted sack coat. Three outside patch pockets. Seam back, with slit. Latest style five-button vest without collar. Coat lining and vest back of alpaca. Semi-peg top pants with usual pockets, one hip pocket made to button, belt loops, side buckle straps, and narrow cuff bottoms.
- $11 Heavy Military Ulster, Dark Brown: Overcoat of heavy, closely woven melton, a 24-ounce fabric, 85 percent wool and 15 percent cotton. Just as illustrated. Double breasted style with ulster collar that can be buttoned up close at neck. Warmly lined slash side pockets. Inside pocket. Stitched-on half belt in back. Military seams from shoulders to half belt. Center vent in the back. Full lined with heavy black twill.
- $1.39 Heavy Weight Crash Suiting: Strong, heavyweight Wash Suit of linen color cotton crash suiting. Plain blue Peggy cloth collar and piping on pockets and cuffs. Waist has plaited panel effect in front, as shown. Black corn and tassel tie.
These are descriptions for children’s clothes, mind you. Pretty fantastic.
* Scans taken from Children’s Fashions 1900-1950.
