French School Smocks: Regional Differences


Figure 1.-- 

There do not appear to have been significant differences between the styles and patterns of smocks worn but French boys in different regions of France. The styles of smocks bought in store and the patterns available from fashion magazines were the same in all regions of France. HBC is unsure, however, to what extent smocks were worn in Alsace-Loraine. These two northeastern provinces of France were ceded to Germany as a result of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. As a result, when the Third Republic in 1871 mandated smocks in French schools, Alsace-Loraine were no longer part of France. These were both border provinces and there were already large numbers of German-speakers in both provinces, especially Alsace. I do not know to what extent the German authorities permitted French-language schools to operate. Some French families moved, but most of the French-speaking population remained. School smocks must have been much less common in these provinces than the rest of France, if they were worn at all. Presumably this difference continued even after the two provinces were united with France after World War I. The Germans regained Alsace-Loraine in 1940 and began a process of Germanizing the population with forced relocations and drafts in to the German military. France finally regained the provinces with the Allied victories in 1944.

Lack of Regional Differences

There do not appear to have been significant differences between the styles and patterns of smocks worn but French boys in different regions of France. The styles of smocks bought in store and the patterns available from fashion magazines were the same in all regions of France.

Alsace-Loarine

HBC is unsure, however, to what extent smocks were worn in Alsace-Loraine. These two border provinces in northeastern France were an issue of dispute between Germanic and French rulers since the division of Charlemange's Empire in the 9th century. German control from 1871-1919 presumably meant that smocks were not commonly worn, but HBC has few details at this time. The northern situation of both Alsace and Loraine may have also been a factor affecting clothing.







Christopher Wagner





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Created: January 5, 2002
Last updated: January 9, 2002