Figure 1.--Here we see a German gym class. We do not know the name of the school. We do know the location--Bremen. The image is undated, but we would guess about 1910. The interesting aspect of this photograph is not only the girls' gym togs, but the very formally dressed gym instructor. Click on the image to see more of the class. Image courtesy of Album.1900.

Romper outfits were widely worn in American highschools. Most American high schools had girls gym outfits with bloomers and middy blouses. These outfits were also worn at summer camps. Bloomer or romper styled gym uniforms were still being worn into the 1960s at some American schools (figure 1). We do not at this time know to what extent these rompers were worn by girls as a gym outfit in other countries, if any. I believe they were worn in Britain and Germany. We are less sure about France. One matter to consider here is that some countries had much more academic oriented academic programs than America. We are not sure that gym was an important subject in the French academic program. Most American high schools had gym and physical education programs. Sport was very important in British eduction. We are much less sure about the academic program in other countries. Nor are we sure about the foreign language terms. A German reader writes, "I asked my great aunt (93 years old) how she called that. Her answer was simply 'Turnhosen'. That means nothing else than 'gymnastics trousers'. Maybe these kind of trouser could be called "Pumphosen". Well, this term is not very specific. It could be used for bloomer or knickerbockers as well." The outfits used in early gym classes and camps were two-picece outfits, tops with bloomer pants. We do not know if European girls ever wore the one-pieve romper suits we note American girls wearing in the 1940s and 50s.

America

We have little infgormation on the 19th century. We do see American girls wearing bloomers and rompers in the 20h century. Romper outfits were widely worn in American highschools for gym. Most American high schools had girls gym outfits with bloomers and middy blouses. Only a minority of children coninued their eduction beyond primty vhool. This began to icrease in the 1930s. These outfits were also worn at summer camps. Bloomer or romper styled gym uniforms were still being worn into the 1960s at some American schools. Most American high schools had gym and physical education programs. We do not know if European girls ever wore the one-pieve romper suits we note American girls wearing in the 1940s and 50s. We also see girls wearing rompers at summer camps. This was verycommon at Scout ca,ps, but bloomers were also worn at regular summer camps.

England

We do not yet have much information about England, but belkieve that bloomer buiforms were common for school gym. Bloomers were worn by Girl Guides for outdoor activities. Sport was very important in British eduction.

France

We are lessc surevabout France. One matter to consider here is that some countries had much more academic oriented academic programs than America. We are not sure that gym was an important subject in the French academic program.

Germany

We are much less sure about non academic program in other countries. Until after World War II, fewr girls attended secondary chools in Germany. We thbimk that this was he generralmpattern in Europe. Here we see a gym clsss im Germany, probablky ariund 1910 (figire 1). Nor are we sure about the foreign language terms. A German reader writes, "I asked my great aunt (93 years old) how she called that. Her answer was simply "Turnhosen". That means nothing else than 'gymnastics trousers'. Maybe these kind of trouser could be called "Pumphosen". Well, this term is not very specific. It could be used for bloomer or knickerbockers as well." The outfits used in early gym classes and camps were two-picece outfits, tops with bloomer pants.

Created: April 16, 2004
Last updated: April 17, 2004