Figure 1.--German boys in the 1960s generally dressed up in dark suits for their confirmations. A German reader sends this photograph of his Confirmation in 1968. |
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German boys in the 1960s generally dressed up in dark suits for their confirmations. Often a new suit was purchased for the occassion. A German reader Dieter who had his confirmation in 1968 writes "This is the photo of the whole confirmation group. You see. This is the picture of all the boys. I`m the boy in the first row at the right side (figure 1). The photo was made in 1968 after my confirmation in Münster, located in the western part of Germany. At this time I lived there with my parents, two sisters and one brother. It was a rural area and we`re a religious family, like all the other people were too. At this time confirmation was a important date in a boys life. We celebrate a big party with all my relatives, but more contemplative than today. I remember that I got only a few presents from my Patentante and Patenonkel (godfathers). A bible and two other books. My parents gave me as a present a white collared shirt and a tie; I believe
as a sign of becoming an adult. My son Nils got as presents at his confirmation above all money. Today most confirmands got money presents. But from his godfathers he got a bible, a bronze cross and another book. I gave Nils as a present a new wrist watch and a tiepin, which he wore at his confirmation.
At my confirmation in 1968 I wore a black suit, a white shirt , a grey tie
and black leather shoes. This was the standard for this time. Besides like
the most other boys at this time, a white cloth in the breast pocket of my
suit. My outfit was similar to this one, who Nils wore at his confirmation in May
2004. He wore black trousers, a white collared shirt, a black tie with a
golden tiepin, black kneesocks and black patent leather loafers.
Most of the boys of Nils confimation group wore shirts without ties. Only a
few boys wore dark suits with dark ties." While the suits here all look similar, notice the variety of neckwear. There were also different approaches to the handkerchiefs in the breast pocket.
Merckel, Dieter. E-mail message, June 14, 2004.
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