Children's Fashion in the 1930s

During the 1930s, parents reeling under the economic burden of the Great Depression often handed down their older children's clothing to their youngest. More affluent consumers had greater choices in children's clothing than ever before, as advertisers targeted children as a demographic and department stores devoted entire floors to children's clothing.

Boys

Older boys wore overalls or knickerbockers, which are short pants that fell just below the knee, while parents dressed toddlers in shorts. Boys wore buttoned shirts, often accompanied by hats such as sailor caps or aviator helmets, inspired by aviator Charles Lindbergh's exploits.

Girls

Girls wore dresses and donned styles inspired by actress Shirley Temple's look by the mid-1930s. Collars were standard on girls dresses and saque dresses, which had accompanying bloomers, were also popular. Girls often tied a ribbon in their hair to complete the look.

Shoes

Most Depression-era children went barefoot during warm weather, saving their shoes for winter. Girls wore shoes that rose to the heel and fastened with laces or buckles. Boys shoes sometimes rose to the ankle and were tied with laces.

References

• "Children's Fashions, 1900-1950, as Pictured in Sears Catalogs"; Edited by JoAnne Olian; 2003
• Northern Illinois University: Blackwell Museum: Milan One-Room Schoolhouse: About the Students
• "The Commodification of Childhood: The Children's Clothing Industry and the Rise of the Child Consumer"; Daniel Thomas Cook; 2004
• "The 1930s"; William H. Young, Nancy K. Young; 2002

Resources

• Wisconsin Historical Society: All Children's Clothing of the 1930s