Figure 1.-- Here we see an English postcard-back English photograph. All we know about the photograph was it was taken in July 1930. We are not sure about the group. Some schools were still in session in early July, But the size of the groupp and age ramge does not seem quite rught for a class group. So we are not sure it was a school group, but we get a good look at popular styles for primary-age children. The childreny look to be about 6-10 years old.

The basic difference between the 1920s and 30s is that the trends we observed fter World war I in the 1920s continued in the 1930s and were even more noticeable. This was a steady trend toward more informality, albeit not as strong as in America. The only boys headwear we notice of any importance is the peaked school cap. Hats were virtually absent. We notice fewer boys with headwear outside of school, but when we do see headwear it is the peaked school cap. A factor here is that boys did not have large wardrobes. Thus for many boys, their schoolwear (caps, blazer, and short pants) doubled as their dress up clothes for church and special occassions. Eton collars largely disappered in the 30s. We see some in the early-30s, but very few at the end of the decade. We see somewhat more informality in the 30s, but we still see boys wearing suit jackets to beaches, parks, and ourdoor play, something that even in Enbgland would be see as unusual today. V-neck jumpers become standard wear in the 1930s. They were popular because they were made to be worn with ties and thus popular for school wear. Short pants were nearly universal for boys in the 1930s and even younger teens. They were comminly worn with knee socks. we no longer see long stovkings except as some conservative girls schools. Closed-toe sandals were very common in primary schools as well as popular for summer wear. We no longer see high-top shoes at school. Boys along with sandals wore oxford shoes. While we do not see sneakers worn at chools, we do see some worn during the summer. School photograohy is very helpful in asessing trends because so many chikldrenare photographed together. There is othher important photograophic evidene outside of school such as images from parks, vacations, families, church, transport, sorts events, or other popular gatherings ersoecially kin the cities.wich also provide a range of sociological insights and hostirical insights. The early-30s were dominatedv by the Great Depression and unemployment. The national conversation began to change drmatically in the late-30 as Hitler began to unveil his agressive agenda, especially after the Munich Conference (September 1938). This would have a hige impact on Bruitish children. After Hitler abd Stalin launched World War II by invading Poland (Septenmber 1939), a major effort as launced to evacuate children from London and other cities out of fear of German bombing. That bombing was to come, only not in 1939. he War itseld would be fought mostly in the 1940s and rationing would greatly affect British life.

Continuing Trend

The basic difference between the 1920s and 30s is that the trends we observed fter World war I in the 1920s continued in the 1930s and were even more noticeable. This was a steady trend toward more informality, albeit not as strong as in America.

Garments

The only boys headwear we notice of any importance is the peaked school cap. Hats were virtually absent. We notice fewer boys with headwear outside of school, but when we do see headwear it is the peaked school cap. A factor here is that boys did not have large wardrobes. Thus for many boys, their schoolwear (caps, blazer, and short pants) doubled as their dress up clothes for church and special occassions. Eton collars largely disappered in the 30s. We see some in the early-30s, but very few at the end of the decade. We see somewhat more informality in the 30s, but we still see boys wearing suit jackets to beaches, parks, and ourdoor play, something that even in Enbgland would be see as unusual today. V-neck jumpers become standard wear in the 1930s. They were popular because they were made to be worn with ties and thus popular for school wear. Short pants were nearly universal for boys in the 1930s and even younger teens. They were comminly worn with knee socks. we no longer see long stovkings except as some conservative girls schools. Closed-toe sandals were very common in primary schools as well as popular for summer wear. We no longer see high-top shoes at school. Boys along with sandals wore oxford shoes. While we do not see sneakers worn at chools, we do see some worn during the summer.

Individuals: Personal Accounts

We have collected both published accounts and reader contributions about boyhood in the 1930s. Suits were still very common. Unlike the Continent, sailor suits do not seem very common. Most English readers recall wearing short trousers. Flannel and corduroy shorts were common and cotton during the summer. Boys often wore shorts with knee socks and sandals. Most boys did not attend secondary schools. There were still major class differences in England. The younger boys at scondary school also wore short troiusers and knee socks. In addition to clothes we are also collecting information about boyhood activities including toys and games. Of course boys in the 1930s were confronted with World War II in the 1940s. London and other British cities were targeted by the Luftwaffe in the Blitz..

Families

We have developed considerable information on English 20th century families. We have archived some 1930s family portraits. Boys commonly wore school caps. We see both single and double-breasted suits. Younger boys in prosperous families might wear velvet suits. There were a range of informal play suits for pre-school boys. We note sweaters becoming a popular item, both sleveless and long sleeves. Short pants and knee socks were standard. We see the girls wearing gymslips, a common school unifirm item. Sandals and strap shoes were common for children. Pre school children boys and older girls wore strsp shoes. Older boys and girls wore sandals.

Scouting

Schools

School photography is very helpful in asessing trends because so many children are photographed together and many images are dated. As a result we are working on 1930s schoolm pages. We have begun a 1930s school page. We have also archieved photograps from quite a numner quite a number of individual schools during the 20th century. We do not yet, however have a 1930s page.

Wider Cultural Scene

Photography is HBC's primary source. School photography is very important, but there are many other important sdources of photograophic evidene outside of school such as images from parks, vacations, families, church, transport, sorts events, or other popular gatherings especially in the cities which also provide a range of sociological and historical insights. The early-30s were dominatedv by the Great Depression and unemployment. Britian was adversely impacted, but not as much as America and Germany. And Britain recovered faster than America and avoided the nightmasrish turn of the Germans. This was in large measures to because of the policies pursued by the Government. The national conversation began to change drmatically in the late-30 as Hitler began to unveil his agressive agenda, especially after the Munich Conference (September 1938). This would have a huge impact on British children. After Hitler and Stalin launched World War II by invading Poland (September 1939), a major effort was launced to evacuate children from London and other cities out of fear of German bombing. That bombing was to come, only not in 1939. It would begin in 1940 with the Blitz and the Battle of Britain The War itseld would be fought mostly in the 1940s. The war and the dislocationn and rationing that came with it would greatly affect British life.

Created: 9:33 AM 11/30/2016
Last updated: 1:10 AM 5/16/2024