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Greece was the first part of the Balkans freed from Ottoman rule (1820s) Thus by the 20th century it was the most Westernized area of the Balkans, although rural areas were still very tradfitional at the turn-of the century. Boys in the cities wore Western style suits. In thr cities, traditional garmnts were mostly for special occassions and festivals. We see Greek boys wearing the same styles of suits as worn elwhere in Europe. We do not notice any destive Greek styles. The major factor affecting suits in Greece was that Greece was a relatively poor country. It was not significantly industrialized and still largely agricultural. The rather rocky soil and mountainous terrrain meant that agricultural was not as productive as most agricultural countriers. Many Greek families could not afford a nice suit for their boys. Suits were of course the most expensive outfit for boys. The economic situation did not change until after World War II when Greece began to bnefit from the expanding economies of Western Europe and the movenent toward unification. We do not yet have detailed informtion on popular styles, but as far as we can tell they were similsr to those in othr European countries. We note styles like the Norfolk, single-breasted, and double-breasted jacket. And we note short, knee, knicker, and long pants. Shirt pants suits were very common in the first half of the 20th century. The popularity of these various styles generally followed wider European trends. Which meant that by the 1960s we see fewer boys wearing suits.
Greece was the first part of the Balkans freed from Ottoman rule (1820s) Thus by the 20th century it was the most Westernized area of the Balkans, although traditional styles were still worn at the turn-of the 20th century. Boys in the cities wore Western style suits. In ther cities, traditional garmnts were mostly for special occassions and festivals. We see Greek boys wearing the same styles of suits as worn elsewhere in Europe. We do not have much information on the 19th century yet. We do have information on the 20h century. We note all the major styles, includung single- and double-breasted jackets. wee see Norfolk jackets in the early-20th century. Vests seem less common than in northrn Europe, probably becasuse of the warm climate. Many boys wore their suits withn open collars rather than neckties, again probanly because of the warm Mediterranean climate. Knee pants suits were common in the early-20th century, but short pants suits became common after World War II as in much of Europe. Gradually by the 1960s we see more and more boys and youngrr boys wearing long-pants suits, but by this time dress was becoming increasingly casual. A kind of pan-European styles were becoming established. By the end of the century we see fewer boys wearing suits and only for the most formal occassions.
The major factor affecting suits in Greece was that Greece was a relatively poor country. It was not significantly industrialized and still largely agricultural. The country's rather rocky spil and mountanous terrraine maent that agricultural was not as productrive as most agricultural countriers. Many Greek families could not afford a nice suit for their boys. Suits were of course the most expensive outfit for boys. The economic situation did not change until after World War II when Greece began to bnefit from the expanding economies of Western Europe and the movenent toward unification. We do not yet have detailed informtion on popular styles, but as far as we can tell they were similar to those in other European countries.
The major elements of a suit were the jacket, vest, and pants. The vest , howebr, was not very common with Greek suitgs. The styling of a suit was mostly in the jacket. We do not notice any destinctive Greek styles. We note styles like the Norfolk, single-breasted, and double-breasted jacket. Vests were nmot very common. And we note short, knee, knicker, and long pants. Short pants suits were very common in the first half of the 20th century. The popularity of these various styles generally followed wider European trends. Which meant that by the 1960s we see fewer boys wearing suits.
Boys commonly wore juvenile outfits before school, but school age boys connonly wore suits. Sailor suits were popular for younger school age boys. This varied from family to family. A major factor was social class. Greece was not a rich country. And nmant fmilis could not afford a suit, especially rural families. ic
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