Figure 1.--These Berlin children were enjoying rollar skates in 1910. Notice how theolder boy wears a knickers suit and flat cap. The younger boy a sailor cap and knee pants. Unfortunately we can not make our what it says on his cap. Both boys wear dark long stockings.

HBC at this stime has only limited information that can be attributed to specific decades. Many of the available early 20th century images are undatd. Available school portraits, however, do provide some insights as many are dated.

The 1900s

Sailor caps and hats were popular in the 1900s. Some boys wore militar-style peaked caps. Another popular style were flat caps. Some boys wore Fauntlroy suits, but they were not as popular as in France and England. We notice many German boys in the 1900s wearing sailor suits. Germany at the time was involved in a naval arms race with Britain and a country' navy, especially battleships, were he hallmark of a great power. We also notice tunic suits and Russian blouse outfits. Boys also wear a variety of suits, most with kneepants and long stockings. Some boys wore short pants and kneesocks which the Scouts and Wandervogel help popularize.

The 1910s

HBC has only limited information or photographs that can be specifically attributed to the 1910s. Some of the avaialble school photographs, however, do provide some information that is either dated or for which HBC has estimated the dates. Sailor suits were still very popular for Germany boys. World War I broke out in 1914 and after the War in 1918 major changes behan in German boys wear.

Created: November 21, 2002
Last updated: November 21, 2002