German Boys' Clothes: Breslauer Hausfrau --Tunic Suits ( Kittleanzuge ) (1908)


Figure 1.--BH in 1908 offered these two tunic suits for younger boys. The one on the left was done in the sailor style. I am not sure how to describe the one on the right. Note the bloomer knickers at the same length as the hem of the tunic. Both are shown worn with long stockings. Source: 21, 22, BH, Jg 6 [1908], Nr 6..

There are numerous depictions tunic suits (Kittleanzuge) in the era before World War I. This was one of the most fashionable styles for younger boys. They were worn with bloomer knickers, about the same length as the bottom hem of the tunic. Many were done in the sailor style, but this was not the only style. We do not see them featured after the War, one of the many changes in fashion that took place after the War.

Breslauer Hausfrau

Although Breslauer Hausfrau (later called here just BH) is called Breslauer, it doesn't present fashion of Wroclaw (Breslau) or Silesia (a formerly German territory with a capital at Breslau, but after World War II was transferred to Poland. It's called Lower Silesia). Because the target readership of BH magazine is middle-class, the fashions presented are largely middle-class styles. Since the middle-class throughout Germany had largely common value and tastes, the fashions depicted in BH are largely representative of styles commonly worn in other German cities and not just Breslau/Wroclaw.

The Tunic Suit

There are numerous depictions tunic suits (Kittleanzuge) in the era before World War I. Thid was not a specifically German fashion, but widely worn by boys throughout Europe and America at the time. This was one of the most fashionable styles for younger boys. They were worn with bloomer knickers, about the same length as the bottom hem of the tunic. Many were done in the sailor style, but this was not the only style. We do not see them featured after the War, one of the many changes in fashion that took place after the War.

Tunic Suits Illustrated

The two tunic suits seen here appeared in a 1908 edition of BH and are typical of the tunics worn during this period. Notice the low-hung belt with no practical purpose which was a characteristic of these tunics.

Sailor style (left)

The tunic suit on the left was sone in the sailor style (figure 1). The ad copy read, "21. Kittelanzug mit Matrosenkragen fuer Knaben von 3-5 Jahren. Marineblaues Tuch bildet sein Material. Der runde Kragen wird aus weissem Cheviot mit blauem Samtband gebildet, ebenso der Latz. Blaue Krawattenschleife. Wetzer Lederguertel. Der Anzug besteht aus dem Kittelkleidchen und der kurzen Hose mit Futterleibchen. Fuer den Kittel ist der Stoff vorn und im Ruecken in breite Plisseefalten gelegt worden. Er wird vorn unter der Mutelquetschfalte geknoepft. Das vordere Hosenteil ist dem Leibchen seft andenaeht worden, das hintere wird aufgeknoepft. Gesteppte Faeltchen an den Unteraermeln. Man schneide die den Schnitt bezeichnenden Figuren 36-42 in doppelter Stofflage mit Beachtung des Fadenlaufs. Es sind zu seiner Ansertigung etwa 2 1/2 m Tuch von 1,20m Breite erforderlich." That translates as "????".

Other tunic (right)

I'm not sure just how to label the tunic suit on the right (figure 1). The ad copy reads, "22. Kittelanzug fuer Knaben von 2-3 Jahren. Hellbrauner Wollstoff ist dazu verarbeitet worden. Zierstiche umranden den Kragen mit dunkelroter Krawattenschleife. Hellfarbiger Leder guertel. Das unten breit gefaeumte Kittelkleidchen ist vorn und rueckwaerts in tiefe Plisseefalten gelegt worden. Es wird unter der breiten Mittelquetschfalte geknoepft. Gesteppte Faeltchen an den Unteraermeln. Das kuerze Beinkleid vom Stoffe des Kleidchens ist vorn an das Futterleibchen seft anzunaehen. Hinten wird es geknoepft. Man schneide die den Schnitt bezeichuenden Figuren 43-48 in doppelter Stofflage mit Beachtung des Fadenlaufs. Es sind zu seiner Anfertigung etwa 2 m Wollstoff von 1,20 m Breite erforderlich." That translates as, "????".

Tomasz Jankowski








HBC





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Created: October 11, 2003
Last updated: October 11, 2003