Sailor suit

Unknown

first quarter 20th century · wool, cotton · Costume Institute

The sailor suit came in many dress versions, making it appropriate for any time of day and any season. It was a hugely popular style for boys because it expressed patriotism and pride in the male child. These variations were extremely popular for boys in the late-19th and early-20th century. The Prince of Wales was painted by Winterhalter in 1846 wearing a sailor suit, which initiated its wide popularity and continued unabated through the mid-20th century. Also interesting to note, the great American designer Norman Norell channeled his aesthetic from a sailor suit that he had fond memories of wearing as a boy.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first quarter 20th century

Medium

wool, cotton

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Edle M. Andersen Lieberman, 1989