Figure 1.--This Belgian family was photographed in 1913, a year before the Germans invaded, launching World WarI. The boy looks to be about 4-5 years old ans wears a white sailor suit with bangs. His sister wrars a white dress and hair band.

We note that sailor suits were very popular for Belgisn boys during the 1910s. The national life wasc of course devistated by the German World War I invasion and occupation. Most of the country was occupied throughout the War. Thousands of children were orphaned and starvation was only averted by the delivery of aid by America which was neutral until April 1917. Even so behind the German lines, life went on for many families and we have a few portraits from this period. White dresses and hair bows seem popular for girls. Men might wear wing collared shirts. Women might wear a white blouse and skirt.

Family, 1913-17

We have a portrait of one family taken in 1913, one year before the German invasion and anither portrait 4 years later in 1917. The family consist of the parents and two children. In both instances the boys wears a white short pants sailor suit with traditional detailing. While his sailor suit does not change, his haior style does. His sisters wears a white dress with hairbows and or a hair band. Their father wears a wjite wing collared shirt in onepprtait. Their mother wears a white blouse and skirt.

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Created: July 12, 2002
Last updated: July 12, 2002