Child's Wool Suit • c. 1890-1910
Can't you just see a cranky little kid dressed up in this adorable suit? They are cute as a button, but hot and itchy.
The suit is made of a fine red wool with embroidered faux insignia on the front and left sleeve. The cut and details give it a military look. It appears to be missing a belt.
The coat is lined and closes with hooks & eyes at the right shoulder and hidden buttons. The knee-length pants (short pants?) feature a complex set of button holes and loops inside the waistband, which I've seen in other children's suits. I assume they were used to button tops to bottoms as needed. There is even a little pee flap in the front crotch, which shows some signs of mending.
The suit has some significant defects: fading, moth damage, stains. It would be great for study or patterning for reproduction.