Figure 1.--We do not see German boys wearing what might be called jackets until the 1930s. A factor here was the relatively small wardrobes that boys had. Rhe Hitler Youth jacket was the first such garment worn by large numbers of boys. By the 1950s almost all boys had jackets.

Children in the 19th and early-20th century commonly wore coats to school in cold weather. We do not see many garments that might be called jackets. The coats we see are heavy garments, often extending well below the waist. Boyhood wardrobes were limirted. And a heavy garment for winter was essential. Boys in the 19th century tended to have limited wardrobes unless from well-to-do families. Thus most had a winter coat and a suit coat, but not an intermediary garment. This only became more common in the 20th century. We do not see the American lumber jacket which was worn in the early-20th century, but not in Germany. The jacket is a largely 20th-century garment. As far as we can tell, we do not see boys wearing what might be called jackets until the 1930s. Jackets suddenly became more common in Germany during the 1930s. The Hitler Youth uniform jacket was the first such mid-weight garment that might be called a jacket. It was also a short garment. We see different styles. And then after World War II we see many boys wearing jackets. largely a function of rising income levels. Jackets do not become really common in Germany, however, until after World War II when the German Economic Miracle begins and families negan to have higher levels of descresionary income. We begin to see boys wearing all kinds of different jackets. Thus was especially the case when heavier jackets like ski jackets appeared. Actually the ski jackert was short like a jacket, but bulky like a heavy coat. They came in bright colors.

The 19th Century

German children in the 19th and early-20th century commonly wore coats to school in cold weather. We do not see many garments that might be called jackets. The coats we see are heavy garments, often extending well below the waist. Boyhood wardrobes were limirted. And a heavy garment for winter was essential. Thus we see children wearing gaermnts that would be called overcoats today. Boys in the 19th century tended to have limited wardrobes unless from well-to-do families. Thus most had a winter coat and a suit coat, but not an intermediary garment.

The 20th Century

The modern garment known as the jacket is only became more common in the 20th century. We do not see the American lumber jacket which was worn in the early-20th century, but not in Germany. The jacket is a largely 20th-century garment. As far as we can tell, we do not see boys wearing what might be called jackets until the 1930s. Jackets suddenly became more common in Germany during the 1930s. We believe in may have been adopted from England or America because the Germn term is 'jacke'. The Hitler Youth uniform jacket was the first such mid-weight garment that might be called a jacket. It was also a short garment. We see different styles. And then after World War II we see many boys wearing jackets, largely a function of rising income levels. Jackets do not become really common in Germany, however, until after World War II when the German Economic Miracle begins and families negan to have higher levels of descresionary income. We begin to see boys wearing all kinds of different jackets. Thus was especially the case when heavier jackets like ski jackets appeared. Actually the ski jackert was short like a jacket, but bulky like a heavy coat. They came in bright colors.

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Created: 7:01 AM 5/11/2015
Last updated: 7:42 AM 5/11/2015