Figure 1.--This 1913 French postcard that shows a Boy about 5 or 6 years of age wearing a white sailor suit with long white stockings. The little girl also wears long stockings. The card greeting says, "Bonne Fête", meaning good party with the presumed sence of "Happy New Year", but could be used for other celebrations like Mothers or Father's Day.

French boys even on the late-19th century were not all wearing long stockings, as was often the case in America. French boys also wore long stockings, but it was quite common for French boys wearing kneepants to wear three-quarter length stockings rather than long stockings. HBC notes that French fashion magazines commonly show French boys wearing three-quarter length socks rather than long stockings in the late 19th century. HBC believes, however, that French boys also wore long stockings, but it was more on a seasonal basis and they it was not nearly as common to wear them year round as was the case in sime other countries. Our information on long stockings in France, however, is very limited at this time. In some countries long stockings were worn not only as a cold weather garment, but also as part of a dressy or formal outfit. HBC is not sure that this convention was a accepted in France as was the case in other countries. Unlike neighboring Germany, long over-the-knee stockings do not appear to have been very common. There was some exceptions and regional differences. This was , especially true in areas such as Alsace-Lorain near Germany which were annexed by German in 1870. For the most part, however, long stockings do not appear to have been commonly worn in France. We have very few accounts about long stockings. A French reader tells us, "The light brown color for sockings in France was rather considered girlish. This differed from coventions in America and Germany. Black long stockings were seen as appropriate for formal occassion."

Popularity

French boys even on the late-19th century were not all wearing long stockings, as was often the case in America. French boys also wore long stockings, but it was quite common for French boys wearing kneepants to wear three-quarter length stockings rather than long stockings. HBC notes that French fashion magazines commonly show French boys wearing three-quarter length socks rather than long stockings in the late 19th century. HBC believes, however, that French boys also wore long stockings, but it was more on a seasonal basis and they it was not nearly as common to wear them year round as was the case in sime other countries. Our information on long stockings in France, however, is very limited at this time.

Construction

A French reader writes, "Long stockings in France commonly had a button on the side. I don't know exactly what they buttonned on to, probably on the undershirt. The " sous-vêtements " Petit Bateau appeared a bit later. American-style suspenderv waists which supported long stockings were unknown here."

Conventions

In some countries long stockings were worn not only as a cold weather garment, but also as part of a dressy or formal outfit. HBC is not sure that this convention was a accepted in France as was the case in other countries. Unlike neighboring Germany, long over-the-knee stockings do not appear to have been very common.

Regional Differences

There was some exceptions and regional differences. This was , especially true in areas such as Alsace-Lorain near Germany which were annexed by German in 1870. For the most part, however, long stockings do not appear to have been commonly worn in France. We have very few accounts about long stockings.

Colors

Long stockings were worn in several colors. We have noted black, white, and several different colors. Given our relaince on photography which until the post-War era was mostly black-and-white, our color information is limited. We can, however, usualy identify black ans wjite stockings. The color of stockings varied chronologically. We nore whute stockings in the 1860s and early-70s. A good example is French boy: Georges Wattinne Desurmont about 1872-73. Stroped stockings seem popular in the 1870s. Then we begin to see fewer French children wearing long stockngs by the 1890s when black stockings became popular. More and more French children began wearing socks, esocially durung warm weather. French readers have provided varied assessments of the modern color conventiions. A French reader tells us, "The light brown color for sockings in France was rather considered girlish. This differed from coventions in America and Germany. Black long stockings were seen as appropriate for formal occassion." Another French reader writes, "Long stockings were generally light colors. Black was rather considered as girlish in the 20th century, but were worn for dance or others performances."

Reader Comments

A French reader writes, "There were a variety of asvantages to long stockings. They were warm in winter and eadsily washed. They were also more hygienic than tights. Not only were they useful cold weather wear, they could be very elegant when worn with short pants for formal occassions." His item could come in fashion again , as well ; the pratical elasticed material allowed that. In winter in cold region many boys ( even teenager ) wear under their longs some tights.