Figure 1.--Many of the boys in this French village school wore short pants suits to school in 1945-46, just after World War II. For more infornation on the school, click on the image.

Younger French boys in the early 20th century commonly wore smocks to school, although it was by no means universal. Older boys, however, through the 1940s commonly wore suits to school, especially older boys attending secondary schools. This was generally the case in private schools, but even boys in village state primary schools often wore suits to school. We believe that this in part was because that many children did not have large wardrobes and thus they wore suits much more commonly than do modern boys. French boys often wore suits casually, that it without a tie or dress short. These were generally the boys own suits, rather than a uniorm, because so few schools required school uniforms. We have noted short pants, knee pants, knicker, and long pants suits. The type of suit followed contemporary styles. In the 19th and early 20th cebntury we see some military styled suits. Norfolk suits were popular for some time, but went out of style in the 1930s. In the 1950s casual clothes began to become more common and boys less commonly wore suits. Again suits continued to be worn at private schools longer than state schools. By the 1970s you almost never see suits at school.

Chronology

We see quite a few French children wearing school uniforms in the 19th and early 20th century. This was especially common in secondary schools and private schools. Even in staste primary schools into the 1950s you see some boys wearing suits. In the 1950s casual clothes began to become more common and boys less commonly wore suits. Again suits continued to be worn at private schools longer than state schools. By the 1970s you almost never see suits at school, even in private schools.

Age

Younger French boys in the early 20th century commonly wore smocks to school, although it was by no means universal. Older boys, however, through the 1940s commonly wore suits to school.

School Type

The type of school a boy attended affected how common it was to wear suits. Suits were especially common at private schools. Again especially older boys attending secondary schools. This was generally the case in private schools, but even boys in village state primary schools often wore suits to school. Private schools were more likely to have dress requirements. Some had uniforms, although this becme less common in the 1970s. . But even the schools that did mot have formal uniforms might require the boys to wear suits of their own choosing.

Wardrobes

We believe that this in part was because that many children did not have large wardrobes and thus they wore suits much more commonly than do modern boys. French boys often wore suits casually, that it without a tie or dress short. These were generally the boys own suits, rather than a uniorm, because so few schools required school uniforms.

Jacket Styles

The type of suit followed contemporary styles. In the 19th and early 20th cebntury we see some military styled suits. Norfolk suits were popular for some time, but went out of style in the 1930s. British-style school blazers do not seem to have been very popular in France.

Pants Types

We have noted short pants, knee pants, knicker, and long pants suits. The type of pants worn with suits appears to have followed comtemporary styles. French schools did not tend to require specific types of pants. An exception here were private Catholic schools, some of which did have uniforms.

Created: February 6, 2003
Last updated: 9:43 AM 8/17/2006