Figure 1.--This CDV was taken at the studio of Gabriel Blaise in Tours, in the 1880s I would estimate. Note the close-cropped hair. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

We have several portraits od French schoolboys taken in the 19th century. Unfortunately, most are not dated or identified. The first such portraits we have noted appear in the mid-19th century, although we are not positive when French school boys began wearing military uniforms. Some of these uniforms may have been for actual military schools, most were uniforms for regular secondary schools. Manyn different styles were involved. Apparently each school could select the style. We are nokt sure to what exyent there were Government regulations about these uniforms. The practice appears to have continued through World War I. Aftervthe War, military uniforms were dropped at most French schools, apparently a reaction to the horrors of war.

Individual Portraits

We have collected several individual portarits of French boys in military-styled uniforms.

Unidentified Tours Boy (probably 1880s)

This CDV was taken at the studio of Gabriel Blaise in Tours, in the 1880s I would estimate (figure 1). The jacket collar and bow is difficult to dertine, buy is worn with a small pointed white shirt collar. The short cut uniform jacket is worn open with a vest (waistcoat). The lapels are not indenyed and run all the way to the waust hem of the jacket. The matching long trousers do not have a stripe.

Unidentified Paris Boy (probably 1890s)

This CDV was taken in the studio of G. Penabert, Passage de Havre, Au Rez-de-Chaussee, Paris. I would estimate the date of this CDV to be the mid-1890s. The boy wears a long uniform jacket. The jacket has epaulettes and a muted embroidered cuff detail. The buttoned epaulettes havevlight-colored piping. Thev jacket is worn open with a vest (waistcoat). The jacket has a light-ciolored patterened lining. He wears a white shirt with a collar that shows and a black cravatte. TheThe matching long trousers do not have a stripe. The boy is holding the school cap in his hand. It is the kempi style still worn by the French Army. Notice the elaborate embroidery on top of the cap.

Catalogs and Fashion Magazines

These portraits can be compared to the uniforms offered in French clothing catalogs and depicted in fashion ,agazines. French clothing catalogs and fashion magazines show that French school boys wore a wide variety of uniform styles. Almost always the unifirms have long pants. One catalog in 1899 shows the range of different styles worn.

Created: July 16, 2003
Last updated: July 16, 2003