Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Sports Time
Alternate Name: Football tracksuit (Ref#4, Vol. 3 Iss. 8, p.4)
Description:
Heavy knit cotton tracksuit. The top is all one colour except for bands on the sleeves and around the bottom hem. It has a block font 31 on the front, and velcro up the back. The bottoms have the band colour for the top half (almost look like shorts) and the same colour as the top for the bottom half of the pant leg. It came with sneakers and socks.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold on both kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
Version Information
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 5A P that is green, not yellow) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been produced by the primary factory CC.
Variations
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
- fabric type
- fabric colours/shades
- stitching patterns around the arms
> A few outfits have blue zig-zag stitching around the coloured armbands. This has been found on P factory outfits made for sale in Canada (LTEE) and Jesmar outfits. (FB conversation, Jodi Isaacs, Nov 2019)
> There were many variations made by foreign factories.
For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing
Other Information
> The #31 on the outfit is in honour of Xavier Robert’s birthday, October 31st.
> A handful of 31 tracksuit outfits have other numbers on the chest: 84, 00. Their authenticity is unknown at this time. Some people believe they are homemade. They have neither a silk label nor a clothing label. Some of the 84’s have been found on Jesmars, but not MIB, so it cannot be confirmed that they are Jesmar. (FB Conversations, Apr. 2020) The 84 version has been found in two colours, although the white and teal pair are harder to find. I own a 00 set and they are well made, but I believe them to be handmade. In that case, could it be the year the outfit was made, 1984?
UPDATE Jan 1, 2023: A minty blue and white 84 was found with a sticker on it. It is now believed that these outfits (at least the 84’s) are aftermarket productions. Special thanks to Holly Spencer.
> This was only known to be worn by Coleco boys. However, foreign girls were known to come in this outfit.
> Some SS versions of this outfit have been found without silk labels. They have clothing labels but no silk labels. Factory fluke?
> There is speculation that the pants for this outfit, and the pants for outfit 518, were sometimes used interchangeably. Unfortunately, this would be difficult to prove, especially because the pants aren’t tagged!
Hello I have a fuzzy blonde haired boy in red and aqua tracksuit with #31. No box , shoes or papers do you know someone who might be interested in buying? Thank you
You could try asking for prices at https://www.facebook.com/groups/370509347013362 and selling on other FB groups such as https://www.facebook.com/groups/142086766470161. Good luck!
Is the chart here for the 31 tracksuit or the articulating suit? It looks more like the striped suit from the colors listed (e.g,no gray, red, gold, etc.)