Boys' Clothing for Different Outdoor Activities and Events: Travel


Figure 1.--These French children in 1956 are waiting for a train at a Paris satation with their mother. The blazers and suitcases suggest they attend a boarding school. Click on the image for a detailed analisis of this image.

Travel is of course related to several other activities such as beaches, summer camps, and vacations, but so many images exist related to travel that it really becomes a category of its own. Trends varied from country to country. Many images exist from European railroad stations. In America the prefered mode of transporation was the family car. Conventions have varied over time. Families who once used to dress up to take a trip now dress very casually. Modes of transportaion have also changed. Rail travel was key in the late 19th and early 20 centuries. While still important in some countries, cars and planes now are often the prefered conveyances. The avialble images provide us many glimses at changing fashion trends.

Available Images

Travel is of course related to several other activities such as beaches, summer camps, and vacations, but so many images exist related to travel that it really becomes a category of its own. The train was so important to Europe and America in the 19th and early 20th century that it attracted forst painters and then photographers. There is a great wealth of enduring images from train stations showing adults and children over time. Of course on outings in the family car the camera was a must. Cameras and travel went together explaining why so many images have come down to us.

Country Trends

Trends varied from country to country. Many images exist from European railroad stations. The variety is endless. French families on the way to the perenial summer vacation. British school boys on the way to boarding schools. In America the prefered mode of transporation was the family car. Will Rogers one said in the 1930s that, "America was the only country that ever went to the poorhouse in an automobile." Of course the summer vacation in the family car was a summer ritual. Trips might just be to the beach but sometimes involved journeys crossing the North American continent.

Conventions

Conventions have varied over time. Families who once used to dress up to take a trip now dress very casually. Avaialble images provide us glimses of the costumes worn as well as an idea of changing trends over time.

Modes of Transportation

Modes of transportaion have changed gratly over time. In the early 19ty century there were canal barges, covered wagons, and stage coaches. Rail travel was key in the late 19th and early 20 centuries. While still important in some countries, cars and planes now are often the prefered conveyances. The avialble images provide us many glimses at changing fashion trends.









Christopher Wagner





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Created: December 28, 2001
Last updated: December 28, 2001