Figure 1.--Here we see a French boy at a school in colonial Algeria wearing a cape in 1945. Note that only one boy wears a cape. There are also two boys wearing smocks.
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Figure 1.--Here we see a French boy at a school in colonial Algeria wearing a cape in 1945. Note that only one boy wears a cape. There are also two boys wearing smocks. |
We have very limited information at this time concerning the countries in which school capes were worn. The cape was widely worn by French school children. This includes some French colonies such as Algeria. I do not know of any other countries, except perhaps Belgium, where the children wore capes rather than coats. They may have also been wore in Switzerland, but we can not yet confirm this. Spain and Italy are other possibilities, but again we have no confirmation. We have noted the cape being worn at English choirs, but at Englisgh schools--at least boys schools.
A French reader tells us, "I believe that before 1945 that capes were commonly worn in France for both boys and girls. It was a less expensive garment than a coat. It was widely worn in institution (schools and orphanages), in rural areas, and by children from less affluent families. Actual coats were considered much more fashionable. I have not one photo of a member of my familly wearing pelerine in 20th century. By my period (1950s) the " Pelerine " was no longer fashionable, although
one could see it in a few Institutions (orphanages and Catholic girls' schools). I did note the " pelerine " worn as raincoat during the 1950s.
It was the commun rain garment worn by girl and boy untill end of the 1950s. It was called " un Capuchon ". After the 1950s, plastic raingear became available."
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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