Figure 1.-- These elegantly dressed Swiss boys and girls are attired for their First Communion ceremony in 1944 and are enjoying an excursion in celebration or perhaps they are just outside the village church. The boys mostly wear short trousers, single breasted suits (except for one boy on the bench who wears long trousers). The boys all wear boutineres fastened to their lapels. Most of the boys wear black long stockings, the traditional color for First Communion, but two of the boys wear brown or tan stockings, perhaps a concession to a slightly greater degree of informality. Notice that the short trousers are quite brief, especially in the case of the third boy from the right, whose long stockings are long enough to cover virtually his entire upper leg. The boys obviously wear Leibchens under their suits. The girls wear white long dresses and white headgear. It seems to be a bright summer or spring day, so the long stockings are clearly worn for formality, not warmth.

We note Swiss boys wearing a range of outdits for their First Communions. The most styles for Swiss First Communion outfits included suits, sailor suits, and cassocks. Sailor suits were one of the popular styles for sailor suits. Since the 1960s, however, cassocks have become more important. Boys also wore their best suits for First Communion. In many cases a new suit was bought for the occasion. Often parents brought a brand new suit for the occasion. The suits were normal dress up suits. They were mostly rather dark colors, either grey, blue, brown, even black. There were no white suits. Cassocks are now the most common costume for First Communion in Switzerland. Note here the similarity between cassock and school smock, all boys being dressed with a uniformity rule in front of Jesus or teacher, social differences being erased. A Catholic Swiss contributor reports that First Communion is a large celebration where all is festively dressed.

Sailor Suits

Sailor suits were one of the popular styles for sailor suits. This was also the case in France. Presumably the Swiss were influenced by the popularity of sailor suits in France for First Communion. Of course there were also German-speaking Catholics in Switzerland. I'm not sure how popular sailor suits were for German speaking Ctholics. Since the 1960s, however, cassocks have become more important.

Suits

Boys also wore their best suits for First Communion. In many cases a new suit was bought for the occasion. Often parents brought a brand new suit for the occasion. The suits were normal dress up suits. They were mostly rather dark colors, either grey, blue, brown, even black. There were no white suits. Virtually all boys, still in middle of primary school, and as this ceremony always takes place some time during mid-May, were in short pants suits. It could however happen that among the childs there would be one or two boys of an older age (12-15) that whatever the reason did not make their first communion at the normal age (9 if I remember correctly). These older boys would more likely be in either knickers or long pants suits. A special white ribbon was knotted round the sleeve of the jacket. The ribbon was long, extending from knot to cuff on the right arm.

Cassocks

Cassocks are now the most common costume for First Communion in Switzerland. Note here the similarity between cassock and school smock, all boys being dressed with a uniformity rule in front of Jesus or teacher, social differences being erased. A Catholic Swiss contributor reports that First Communion is a large celebration where all is festively dressed. He remembers his First Communion in April 1970. The children wore long cassocks. It was a cold day and under his cassock he wore a shirt, sweater, my long trousers, white tights (strumpfhose) and black shoes. He also remembers an an Italian boy who wore short trousers and strumpfhosen. A Swiss observer believes that German-speaking as well as French boys wear cassocks for First Communion. He says, however, that he has no information that this is the case in all Swiss German cantons. But knowing how unified the Catholic church is, takings orders from the hierarchy, he believes that it is the case.

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [Essays] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Satellites] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web chronological pages:
[The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]
[The 1960s] [The 1970s] [The 1980s] [The 1990s] [The 2000s]

Navigate the Historic Boys' Clothing Web style pages:
[Short pants suits] [Blazers] [Jackets] [Kilts]
[Sailor suits] [Sailor hats]
[Ring bearer/page costumes] [Shortalls]

Created: 7:09 PM 6/30/2007
Last edited: 7:09 PM 6/30/2007