Figure 1.--Here we see a primary school at unidentified village in Middle Franconia (Bavaria). The photograph is not dated, but we believe it was taken in the early-1950s. By the mid-50s when the German Economic Miracle had begin to kick it, we see fsr fewer bsrefoot children in Erst German schools and virtually none by the end of the decade.

Clothing styles in the early post-War era were still destinctly German, but Gemany was significatly influenced by the occupation. Colored shirts were one inovation popularized by the Americans. Also German children's fashions were affected by the same economic and social trends afecting the rest of Europe. After the Second World War Germany was devestated. Conditions and clothing were initially similar in all three occupations zones. There were initially four (America, British, French, and Soviet). The Western Allies merged their zones so there became an eastern and western zones. Conditions were terrible in both zones, but the living conditions in the western zine had begun to improve by 1948. There was, however, little money for clothes. In a short period of time, West Germany was transformed by the German Economic Miracle. Insights into what German boys were wearing after the War can be seen in some of the many images of the Berlin Air Lift. This was somewhat complicated in Germany by the politicl division of East and West Germany, especially after the Wall was built beginning in 1961. German boys' clothes began to change in the 1960s. One factor was rising income levels. Another was the development of rebellious teen culture. The trend developed later in Germany than in America and other western European countries, but by the 1960s it had arrived. The change was particularly rapid after the Paris student strike of 1968. By the 1970s shorts had become increasingly rare except on younger boys. Little boys still wearing shorts during the winter might be dressed in long over the knee stockings or in beginning in the 1950s, tights. Some boys would wear them for warmth under long pants. Most German boys like other boys in Western Europe wanted jeans. The change was a slower in Communist Eastern Germany (DDR). But East Germany received West German (BRD) television and fashion easily breeched the Iron Curtain. By the time that the Berlin Wall fell, German boys were dressing in the indestinguishable pan-European styles. The West German boys were a bit more stylish as their parents had more money, but the same styles were commonly worn on both sides of the Wall.

Post-war Germany (1945-60)

After the Second World War Germany was devestated. Conditions and clothing were initially similar in all three occupations zones. There were initially four (America, British, French, and Soviet). The Western Allies merged their zones so there became an eastern and western zones. Conditions were terrible in both zones, but the living conditions in the western zine had begun to improve by 1948. There was, however, little money for clothes. Insights into what German boys were wearing after the War can be seen in some of the many images of the Berlin Air Lift. Children were drawn to the activity at the airports. Pictures of the planes coming into Templehof are often framed with the children watching the flights. American pilots started dropping candy which attracted even more children. Most of the younger boys wears shorts, some suspender shorts. During the warmer months many boys are barefoot or wear ankle socks. Not all boys wear shorts, but most of the younger ones do as well as many older boys. Even some older tenagers can be seen in short pants suits. In the colder months, outfits are more varied. Many boys during the winter wear long pants. There are still many boys in short pants and knee socks, but clearly many mothers decided on warmer long pants for winter wear. Some of the younger boys in shorts during the winter months wear long over the knees stockings. Some boys at the time cleary continued to wear short pants suit until they were older teenagers. Shorts were commonly worn by German boys through the 1950s. In part this was due to the financial dislocations resulting from the war. Many parents simply did not have the money to buy their children new clothes. As a result, some high secondary school boys wore their boyhood short pants suits longer than they might have if their parents had more money. Many younger boys went barefoot.

Mid-20th Century (1960-89)

German boys' clothes began to change in the 1960s. One factor was rising income levels. Another was the development of rebellious teen culture. The trend developed later in Germany than in America and other western European countries, but by the 1960s it had arrived. The change was particularly rapid after the Paris student strike of 1968. By the 1970s shorts had become increasingly rare except on younger boys. Little boys still wearing shorts during the winter might be dressed in long over the knee stockings or in beginning in the 1950s, tights. Some boys would wear them for warmth under long pants. Most German boys like other boys in Western Europe wanted jeans. The change was a slower in Communist Eastern Germany (DDR). But East Germany received West German (BRD) television and fashion easily breeched the Iron Curtain. By the time that the Berlin Wall fell, German boys were dressing in the indestinguishable pan-European styles. The West German boys were a bit more stylish as their parents had more money, but the same styles were commonly worn on both sides of the Wall. Lederhosen became popular for younger boys.

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Created: 12:12 AM 7/25/2010
Last updated: 12:12 AM 7/25/2010