Figure 1.-- Drawing by Birte Koch. |
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The single most popular outfit for boys in the 1900s was the sailor suit. Imperial Germany was building a modern Navy as well as overseas colonies. Boys wore sailor suits in many different styles. Some were detailed with traditional stripes while others were very plain. Friederich wears a plain white sailor suit, a popular choice for summerwear. Even during the Summer he wears long stockings. Younger boys also had close-cropped hair cuts. Girls still always wore dresses. Hems were higher after the turn of the 20th century. White dresses were very poular, but we note colored dresses as well. Charlotte wears a white Summer frock. The neck level was very high. Her hem is calf level, but could be higher for younger girls. Both boys and girls wore long stockings, but might wear short socks during the summer. Dark long stockings were common, but some children, especially girls, might wear long stockings. Many girls wore long hair, often with hair bows. Both boys and girls wore high-top shoes. Here we will look at all the Berger children: Klara (almost 1 year old), Friedrich (4 years), Margarete (5 years), Charlotte (8 years), and Hans (12 years).
Baby Klara is not yet 1 year old.
Friedrich is 4 years old. He is still at home. The single most popular outfit for boys in the 1900s was the sailor suit. Imperial Germany was building a modern Navy as well as overseas colonies. Boys wore sailor suits in many different styles and colors. Friederich wears a plain white sailor suit, a popular choice for summerwear. Some were detailed with traditional stripes while others were very plain. Even the dickie here is plain white. Sailor caps were also very popular. Frederich doesn't wear his cap here, but almost certainly he had a cap, perhaps with "Deutchland" on the tally. I think the plain white suits were considered rather elegant. I suspect that it was hard to keep them clean for a boy Friedrich's age. At least mother did not have to worry about the colors fading. Even during the Summer he wears long stockings. Here he wears blavl stockings. For special events he might have worn white long stockings with strap shoes. Younger boys also had close-cropped hair cuts. He wears heavy boot-like high top shoes.
Margarete is 5 years old and has not yet begun school. Kindegarten for 5-year olds existed in Germany, but in the 1900s were not yet widespead. Most children did not begin school until age 6 years.
Charlotte is 8 years old. Girls still always wore dresses. Hems were higher after the turn of the 20th century. White dresses were very poular, but we note colored dresses as well. Charlotte wears a white Summer frock. The neck level was very high. Her hem is calf level, but could be higher for younger girls. Both boys and girls wore long stockings, but might wear short socks during the summer. Dark long stockings were common, but some children, especially girls, might wear long stockings. Many girls wore long hair, often with hair bows. Both boys and girls wore high-top shoes. Charlotte has begun primary school. If the family had not a private teacher she would have attended a state (public) primary. In public school Charlotte probably would be in the second or third grade (counting begins with one). Yhis is not a dress she probably would have worn to school. She prfobably would have worn a more plain dress, perhaps wsith a pinafore.
Hans is 12 years old.
HBC
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Album1900
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