Figure 1.--Here we see a class portrait from the 1975-76 academic year. This was a year 6 class from the Dutch-speaking area of Belgium. The warm woolen cardigans and jumpers in this picture suggest this was taken in the winter.. that may even be some kind of Christmas trees behind them.

There have been great changes in Belgian boys' school clothing during the 20th centurty. We have more 20th century photographs taken at Belgian schools. These available images clearly show the trends in Belgian schools. We believe that smocks were still commonly worn at Belgian schools in the early 20th century. Some were worn with Eton collars and floppy bows. Sailor suits were also very popular. Short pants appeared in Belgium with the Scout movement in the 1900s. We have no information on shorts being worn in Belgium before the advent of Scout shorts. Short pants appeared with the Scout movement in the 1900s. I have no information on shorts being worn in Belgium before the advent of Scout shorts. Most boys at the turn of the century wore kneepants. Sailor suits were very popular for schoolwear. Shorts had begun replacing kneepants by the 1910s. We have few details on Belgian school uniforms at mid-century. Smocks were still commonly worn in the 1940s, although I do not know if schools required them. We do not think that state schools required uniforms, but some private schools did have mandatory uniforms. Most Belgian boys at mid-century wore short pants. Smocks declined in popularity in the 1950s. Some conservative schools still required shorts pants in the 1980s, but this had largely disappeared by the 1990s. While there were no uniforms, Many primary boys in state schools did wear short pants to school in the 1970s. Wearing shorts to school even in primary schgools declined in popularity during the 1980s. This was especially true of the colder Winter months.

Early 20th Century (1900-19)

We believe that smocks were still commonly worn at Belgian schools in the early 20th century. Some were worn with Eton collars and floppy bows. Sailor suits were also very popular. Short pants appeared in Belgium with the Scout movement in the 1900s. We have no information on shorts being worn in Belgium before the advent of Scout shorts. Most boys at the turn of the century wore kneepants. Sailor suits were very popular for schoolwear. Shorts had begun replacing kneepants by the 1910s. School uniforms were not common in Belgium, but were required by some private Catholic schools.

Inter-war Years (1920-39)

Short pants appeared with the Scout movement in the 1900s. I have no information on shorts being worn in Belgium before the advent of Scout shorts. Most boys at the turn of the century wore kneepants. Sailor suits were very popular for schoolwear. Shorts had begun replacing kneepants by the 1910s. School uniforms were not common in Belgium. but were required by some private Catholic schools. Boys in the 1920s might wear a wide variety of clothes to school. Most boys wore short pants, but knickers were also worn. Sailor suits were still popular, although not as much as at the turn of the century. Many types of hosiery were worn. Boys wore both ankle and kneesocks. White socks were popular. Some boys wore long over the knee stockings. Shorts were very commonly worn by the 1920s. Older boys might wear knickers. Smocks were commonly worn by school children through the 1940s. Several school photographs show the range of uniforms worn by Belgian boys in the 1920s and 30s.

Mid-20th century (1940-69)

We have few details on Belgian school uniforms at mid-century. Smocks were still commonly worn in the 1940s, although I do not know if schools required them. We do not think that state schools required uniforms, but some private schools did have mandatory uniforms. Most Belgian boys at mid-century wore short pants. Smocks declined in popularity in the 1950s. Shorts dominated boys' wear throughout the 1950s, but began to be replaced by long pants in the late 1960s. The French student movement and Paris student riots in 1968 were very influential in both social attitudes and fashions.

Late 20th century (1970-1999)

Some conservative schools still required shorts pants in the 1980s, but this had largely disappeared by the 1990s. While there were no uniforms, Many primary boys in state schools did wear short pants to school in the 1970s. A Belgian reader tells us, "Although schools didn't have uniforms, it was very common for many boys to wear very short shorts at school and out of school, even up to the age of 14, sometimes even right through the winter. (Boys wouldn't wear shorts to school once they were in secondary school though they would often change into shorts once they got home.) It was not uncommon in winter, even in snow, to see boys in town and around shops with wrapped up in balaclavas, scarves, gloves, warm coats... and completely bare legs, with shorts so short that with their coats on it looked as if they'd forgotten to put their trousers on!". Wearing shorts to school even in primary schgools declined in popularity during the 1980s. This was especially true of the colder Winter months.