Figure 1.--Here we see a brother and sister prepring for some kind of summer celebrtion, perjps July 4. The boy waes a Russian blouse. Click on the image to see another portrait of these children in winter sailor suits.

We see Russian blouse styling in quite a number of countries. We note these styles in America, Germany, France, Russia and other countries. The origin of the style is of course Russia, but we have no idea why an esentially serf-style becme highly fashionable in America and Europe. We have the most information on America simply because our American archive is so extensive. It does not mean that Russian blouse styling was more popular in America than other countries. We think that may be the case, but we have to consider that our American archive is so much larger than that for any other country. For two decades we see large numbers of American boys wearing Russian blouse styled garments, both blouses and tunics. Tunics existed before the Russian blouse styling became popular. It just affected the styling of garments already being worn, although for some reason it increased the popularity of these garments. There was, however, other tunic styles. Sailor-style tunics were especially popular in America. As far as we can tell in all countries wear these Russian blouses were popular, they were a middle- and upper-class style. They were much less common among working class boys.

America

We have the most information on America simply because our American archive is so extensive. It does not mean that Russian blouse styling was more popular in America than other countries. We think that may be the case, but we have to consider that our American archive is so much larger than that for any other country. For two decades we see large numbers of American boys wearing Russian blouse styled garments, both blouses and tunics. Tunics existed before the Russian blouse styling became popular. It just affected the styling of garments already being worn, although for some reason it increased the popularity of these garments. There was, however, other tunic styles. Sailor-style tunics were especially popular in America.

France

Germany

The Russian blouse style was popular in Germany at the turn of the 20th century. While HBC has only limited information, the style with the open square collar appears to have been the most popular. It was used for a variety of different outfits, but seems to have been primarily a style used in informal play outfits. The Russian blouse style appears to have been a particularly popular style in Germany, but was worn in other European countries as well. It appears to have been a style as the name suggests which originated in Russia. They were often worn with short pants. HBC begins to notice these garments at about the turn of the 20th century. The tunic or Buster Brown suit style worn by American boys appears to have been less popular in Germany.

Russia

Russian blouse styling appears to have been a popular style in Russia at the turn of tghe 20th century. We do noy know just when this style developed and how it changed over time. The Russain blouse was worn by both peasants as well as Russian boys. Many boys appear to have worn Russian blouse outfits to school. Some may have dressed up in Russian blouse outfits, but at this time we do not understand the conventions for wearing it. A HBC reader reports in Robert Massey's biography, Nicholas and Alexandra, he described that there was a period during Nicholas' reign when Russian folk style (especially peasant style) such as Russian blouses were in vogue. He suspect that this helped to popularize the style, both wihin and without Russia the style. HBC believes, hoever, that Russian blouses were worn before Nicholas' reign, perhapsnot as extensively by middle-class boys.

Created: 10:55 PM 6/5/2016
Last updated: 10:55 PM 6/5/2016