Figure 1.-- This German school photo was undated, but we think was taken in the late-1940s. It is a primary class of children of who look to be about 10-years old. Most of the boys wear short trousers, many with haltars or H-bar attachments. Most of the children wear brown or dark tan long stockings, both boys and girls. There may also be some tights, but we are not positive about that. Several children wear knee socks. It looks like the temperature is gettiung cool, many children have sweaters. During the Winter probably more children wore long stockings. We are not sure if this is East or West Germany. We suspect it was West Germany because the children seem well dressed, but differenceces between the East and West only began to diverge significantly in the early-1950s. Perhaps German readers will have some thoughts here. Click on the image to see the rest of the class and a fuller discussion.

School children commonly wore long stockings to school over a long period. We do not yet know a great deal about the early-19th century. Not only are there not very many images available and boys commonly wore long pants. Gradually after mid-century, boys began to wear shortened-length pants, first younger boys and by the 1890s older boys as well. At the sane time we see public school systems becoming increasinly important. All this varied from country on a largely climatic basis. Boys in northern Europe abnd North America commonly wore long stockings to school. Boys in southern Europe were less likely to wear long stoickings to school and the public school systems were less developed. Many boys in the-late 19th century wore knee pants and long stockings were very common with knee pants. Long stockings were held up with stocking supporters. Long stockings were very common and often worn year round in the late-19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, long stockings were widely worn in many countries, including Aneruca where even older boys might wear them. Here the age conventions varierd from country to country. This began to change in the 20th century. Long stockings were still very common, but gradually became a seasonal garment. The pants worn with them also varied. Knee pants were common in the 1900s. Knickers became common in America during the 1910s while European boys began to wear short pants. This was especially the case after World War I. We see more children wearing ankle and three-quarter socks. American boys began to change from long stockings to knee socks in the 1930s. After World War II long stockings disappeared in America and many other counties, but continuerd to be worn in some European countries such as Germany, Polsand, and Russia for some time. The developments of children's tights meant the end of long stockings, but tights were introduced at different times in Western and Eastern Europe.

The 19th Century

We do not yet know a great deal about the early-19th century. Not only are there not very many images available and boys commonly wore long pants. Gradually after mid-century, boys began to wear shortened-length pants, first younger boys and by the 1890s older boys as well. At the sane time we see public school systems becoming increasinly important. All this varied from country on a largely climatic basis. Boys in northern Europe abnd North America commonly wore long stockings to school. Boys in southern Europe were less likely to wear long stoickings to school and the public school systems were less developed. Many boys in the-late 19th century wore knee pants and long stockings were very common with knee pants. Long stockings were held up with stocking supporters. Long stockings were very common and often worn year round in the late-19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, long stockings were widely worn in many countries, including Aneruca where even older boys might wear them. Here the age conventions varierd from country to country.

The 20th Century

The hosiery conventions for long stockings begn to change in the 20th century. Long stockings were still very common in many countries, but gradually became a more seasonal garment. The pants worn with them also varied. Knee pants were common in the 1900s. They were usually woirn with long stockings in America by school age boys. Three quarter socks were widely wirn in Europe by older boys than in America. Long stockings appeared as soon as the weather got cooler. Many mothers made the change on a calendar basis. Knickers became common in America during the 1910s and were worn with long stoickings. Many European boys began to wear short pants. Some older boys woite knickers. This was especually the case after World War I. Color preference began to change weith tan shades becoming popular. And we see more children wearing ankle and three-quarter socks on a sesonal basis. American boys began to chabge from long stockings to knee soicks in the 1930s. Some younger boys wore long stockings with short opznts. After World War II long stockings disappeared in America and many other counties, but continuerd to be worn in some European countries such as Germany, Polsand, and Russia for some time. The developments of children's tights meant the end of long stockings, but tights were introduced at different times in Western and Eastern Europe.

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Created: 7:49 AM 7/14/2010
Last updated: 5:27 AM 11/24/2012