Figure 1.--This cabinenet card is undated, but was probably taken in the very early-1900s. we see four Bulgarian children, presumably siblings. The children look to be about 5-16 years of ge. They are identified as Erenka, Kamunka, Durech-mypr and Bunsmopksa Kupurs Benkobu. [As best we can make out. Click on the image to see the back.] The boy wers a collar-buttoning knickers suit. Note the German style school cap. The older girls wear matching dresses and blouses. The younger girl wears a sailor dress. The studio was Postalov and Nankov", V.Turnovo, Bulgaria.

Bulgarian remained a poor country throughout the 20th century. This invaiavly affects fashion trends because it determines family purchases of clothing. Some economic improvement occurred during the early-20 century. Bulgarian boys in the early-20th century still commonly dressed in traditional styles. The exception was the relatively small urban population which adopted Western fashions. Because of Bulgaria's German monarchy and large German fashion industry, we note a German influence. This dichotomy between the cities and rural areas gradually changed during the inter-War era. And after World War II, traditional dress, even in the countryside largely disappeared. The Communist industrializtion effort was a factor here. We do not have much information on the post-War era. Bulgarian boys by the time the Communist era ended was similar to that of the rest of Europe, although generally low incomde levels because of Communist economic policies affected fashion. Some economic progress has been made since the fall of Communism (1989), but significnt ecomomic problems persist. Modern Bulgarian boys dress in the current pan-European fashion.

The 1950s

The Communists seized power in Bulgaria at the end of World War II when the Soviet Red Army occupied the country (1945). The Communists brutally supressed oppoition and began to implement Soviet policies that they were convinced would turn the country into a pardise for workers and peaants. The problem was the policies did not work it was in the capitalist West that economic miracles occurred. The Communits ntionalized industry and promoted industrial projects. As in the sviet Union, no consideration was given to profitanility. Prodction was the major onjective. Bulgaria became a more urbanized country. Traditional clothing rapidly disappeared. Both adults and children adopted Western styles even in the countryside. Boys commonly wore short pants, especially during the summer. Sandals were also common. Styles seem somewhat similar to French fashions, but alittle dates. Quality was a problem. We are not sure if ths was a conccious decision by Bulgarian clothing manufactuers, all of course state owned. Consumer demand was largely ignored. Young people by the end of the decade wanted jeans. State owned companies, however, made no effort to produce them.

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Created: 7:48 AM 4/1/2016
Last updated: 5:40 AM 3/8/2017