Unidentified Belgian Family (1950s)


Figure 1.--The previous page (or click on the image here) shows the family in 1958 after their baby brother has arrived. There are three children, two boys and a girl. It looks to be Spring. The younger boy wears a classic French romper suit (baboteuse). Notice how similar his romper suit is to the little girl's dress in the 1955 portrait. The little girl in 1958 wears a simple frock. The older brother seems to be wearing a short duffle coat with short pants. This is much shorter than the duffle coats that I have norrmally noticed.

The image here shows the Belgian family in 1958 after their baby brother has arrived. There are three children, two boys and a girl. It looks to be Spring. The younger boy wears a classic French romper suit (baboteuse). Notice how similar his romper suit is to the little girl's dress in the 1955 portrait. The little girl in 1958 wears a simple frock. The older brother seems to be wearing a short duffle coat with short pants. This is much shorter than the duffle coats that I have normally noticed. A French reader has provided some details on the image.

Location

This photo was taken in the family garden, behind the home.

Boy

The little boy at the right wears a coat called in France " Duffle coat ". It was very fashionable during the 1950s and 60s. The color was dark grey, though dark blue (navy) was also worn. I remember wearing a dark blue one during the 1950s. I don't know where it was bought. On the photos white and black one can only guess the color. Normaly the lenghth of this coat was cut just above the knees, longer that this boy is wearing.

Girl

The little girl has a bandage on her wrist. Notice her two ribbons, also very popular at the time in both France and Belgium. She wears a classic little girl's summer frock. Notice her shoes. They are called " baby boots ". The term boot was used because they were high-top shoes. They were only sold in white. These shoes were for both boys and girls 1-3 years old. Mothers though that these shoes were important for toddlers just beginning to walk. The high tops provided extra support.

Baby Brother

Their baby brother is wearing a barboteuse or romper suit. He looks to be about 2 years old. The bodice is just like the bodice of the dresses his sister wore at the same age. It's true that these styles were very popular. May be his mother or granmother had redewn his sister's dress as a romper. This was actually quite simple. The romper had a big bow at the back. One can only guess the color, it seems to be in white. A light blue was also a very common color for these rimper suits. Also notice that his ankle socks are rolled up. This was also very fashionable, a style that appeared just after World War II.

France and Belgium

Clothing styles in Frane and Belgium were very similar. One could imagine these two photos could be without any difference be worn by a French family. There might be some differences with families in Flanders, but styles in French speaking areas of Belgium (Walonia) were almost identical with France.






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Created: 4:49 PM 11/1/2005
Last updated: 4:49 PM 11/1/2005