Figure 1.--We are not quite sure how to interpret this French postcard. The children are clearly dressing up in costumes. We woud guess that the card dates to about 1910.

Post cards were extremely popular in France during the early 20th century. Some of the postcards show children in a variety of fancy cotumes. People bought these cards both to use a greeting cards and o sdave in family albumns. Usually the point of the cards is obvious. Sometimes we do not understand the idea behinf the costume. We also note some portrairs of children in costumes. Perhaps they are gong to a fancy costume party or just dressing up for fun. Here of course the fancy costumes were worn by children from well to do families. The inscription "La petite Jupe-Culotte" means "The little kirt and short pants." The skirt of course meaning the girl and the short pants referring to the boy. I've noticed the French using "culottes courtes" to refer to boys. The odd thing is that the "skirt" seams to be wearing bloomers!

A French reader tells us, "Of course these children are dressed for fun . It never had been a fashion worn in early 20th. It is true very often children were posed in fanciful costumes rather than their ordinary clothes for postcards. There were also additions liker a belt with trim or bows on the shoes that choldren nerver really wore. Other times children were photographed in their own suits and other clothes for postcards.

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Created: October 18, 2002
Last updated: October 18, 2002