Figure 1.--Swiss boys commonly wore suits to school in the 1930s, but sweaters were also common, especially pullovers. This boy at an unidentified school in 1931 wore what looks like a British school sweater. Notice the trim at the collar and cuffs as well as a front waist pocket. Bold patterns were more popular. The children look to be about 12 years old. Several readers had comments about the sweater.

Swiss boys commonly wore suits to school in the 1930s, but sweaters were also common, especially pullovers. This boy at an unidentified school in 1931 wore what looks like a British school sweater. Notice the trim at the collar and cuffs as well as a front waist pocket. Bold patterns were more popular. The children look to be about 12 years old. Several readers had comments about the Brutish-looking sweater.

An American reader writes, "Notice the interesting (and unusual) feature of the boy's sweater in this photo. It has a pocket at waist level. Pockets in pullover sweaters are, I think, rare or non-existent in the United States, and a pocket at waist level seems very strange. What purpose did such a pocket serve? It is quite small. Did schoolboys use such pockets for small notebooks or diaries? Or for a pocket watch? Most Swiss boys in the 1930s, I think, would have worn wrist watches. Was the pocket used to carry a handkerchief? There seems to be a slight bulge at the bottom of this pocket."

A British reader writes, "It does look like a British school weater. I have never, however, seen a pocket in a pullover, at least in Britain. I think there is one the other side too."

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Created: 5:25 PM 6/26/2010
Last updated: 5:25 PM 6/26/2010