Figure 1.--Here we see two little German children wearing dresses, presumably siblings. The cabinent card portrait was probably taken in the 1890s. They both look like girls, but note that one child has a girl doll, the other boy a horse pull toy. It is possible the child with a doll was a girl with short hir. Note that the dresses are identical.

We note German boys like boys in other European countries wore a variety of skirted garments. We have begun to collect information on the different kinds of skirted garments. Young German boys like boys in other European countries wore dresses. In the early and mid-19th century, these dresses were just like the ones their sister's wore. Some younger German boys rather than wearing one-piece dresses wore skirts with blouses or jackets. In Britain and America these skirts were often made in a kilt fasgion and commonly were plaid. This was less common in Germany. We have very little information on these skirts at this time in Germany. We are unsure if this fashion was more or less common than actual dresses. The tunic suit was a very popular style for boys in America and many European countries at the turn-of-the-20th century. We have less information about Germany as we have so few German photograophs from the pre-World War I period. We have not noted German boys wearing Highland kilt outfits. Wechave noted boys wearing kilt suit outfits, although many of the images are undated. They look to be images taken in the 1890s and 1900s, but we are unsure when the fashion began. The sailor kilts appeared to be especially popular. The tunic suit was a very popular style for boys in America and many European countries at the turn-of-the-20th century. We have less information about Germany as we have so few German photograophs from the pre-World War I period. Smocks are more associated with France than Germany, but some German boys also did wear smocks. In particular we have noted quite a number of younger pre-school German boys wearing them.

Dresses

Young German boys like boys in other European countries wore dresses. In the early and mid-19th century, these dresses were just like the ones their sister's wore. We note an 1838 portrait where a brother and sister wear the same dress style. HBC has also noted the future Kaiser Wilhelm II about 1860 wearing a dress.

Skirt/Kilt Outfits

Some younger German boys rather than wearing one-piece dresses wore skirts with blouses or jackets. In Britain and America these skirts were often made in a kilt fasgion and commonly were plaid. This was less common in Germany. We have very little information on these skirts at this time in Germany. We are unsure if this fashion was more or less common than actual dresses.

Kilts

We have not noted German boys wearing Highland kilt outfits. Wechave noted boys wearing kilt suit outfits, although many of the images are undated. They look to be images taken in the 1890s and 1900s, but we are unsure when the fashion began. The sailor kilts appeared to be especially popular.

Tunics

The tunic suit was a very popular style for boys in America and many European countries at the turn-of-the-20th century. We have less information about Germany as we have so few German photograophs from the pre-World War I period. Not only are we not sure how popular the tunic outfit was in Germany. Fancy, lace trimmed French styles were less popular in Germany, but believe the Russian blouse style was commonly worn. There is extensive information in the royalty satellite site on the German princes, Kaiser Wilhelm's grand children all dress in identical Russian blouse suits. They were worn with short pants, usually with short socks rather than long stockings. It seems to have been a summer outfit. We are not sure to what extent the tunic was an exclusively boys' garment in Germany. Hopefully our German readers will provide some background information here.

Pantlettes

Pantalettes were commonly worn by American and European children in the 19th century. We have little informnation on Germany at this time, in part because we have just begun to acquire 19th century German images. The German images that we have archived suggest that pantalettes were common in Germany as well. we note German children wearing pantalettes, but are not yet sure about the gender conventions.

Pinafores

HBC has no information at this time about German boys wearing traditionally styled pinafores. After the turn of the centuty, however, we do seem numerous examples of German boys wearing pinafore-type pinafore smocks. This is not a style we have noted in England and France. These simple and inexpensive pinafores generally buttoned at the shoulders and were made in variety of colors. As far as we can tell the pinafore and pinafore smock for boys in Germany was essentially a practical garment for home wear, to help mutter keep the children's clothes clean. The few available images we have show these garments being worn at home.

Smocks

Smocks are more associated with France than Germany, but some German boys also did wear smocks. In particular we have noted quite a number of younger pre-school German boys wearing them. We note, however, very few school photos with German boys wearing smocks, especially after World War I (1914-18). HBC has, however, only limited information on German smocks at this time.

Hard to Classify Images

Most images are fairly easy to classify. Others are much more difficult. This is both because of the garments as well as trying to determine just who is wearing them. This is the case because most available portraits are unidentified. Hopefully HBC readers will have some insights here.

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br> Created: 7:44 AM 12/16/2007
Last updated: 7:45 AM 12/16/2007