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We are not sure when sailor suits first appeared as boys wear in Belgium. We suspect it was much as the same time, probably the 1860s, but it could hav been earlier. We are unable at this time to follow 19th century developments in any detail because our archive of 19th century Belgian images is so limited. We only have a few 19th century images and these are mostly from the 1890s. We note both traditional and non-traditional styles. We know that the European naval arms race began in ernest in the 1890s, but as Belgium was not a naval power, this may not have been a factor influencing the popularity of the fashion. Belgium boys fashions were probably largely determened by the larger countries surrounding it--England, France, and Germany. Belgian and French boys wore their sailor suits by the late-19th century both socks rather than long stockings. The boy here is a good example (figure 1). This is something you do not see in America.
We are not sure when sailor suits first appeared as boyswear in Belgium. We suspect it was much as the same time, probably the 1860s, but it could hav been earlier. We are unable at this time to follow 19th century developments in any detail because our archive of 19th century Belgian images is so limited.
We only have a few 19th century images and these are mostly from the 1890s. We note both traditional and non-traditional styles. We know that the European naval arms race began in ernest in the 1890s, but as Belgium was not a naval power, this may not have been a factor influencing the popularity of the fashion. Belgium boys fashions were probably largely determened by the larger countries surrounding it--England, France, and Germany. Belgian and French boys wore their sailor suits by the late-19th century both socks rather than long stockings. The boy here is a good example (figure 1). This is something you do not see in America. In Belgium long stoclings were also worn. The choice seems to havedeoended on sesonality and formality. We notice both traditional 'V-collar' stylying and non-traditiuonal styles including collar buttoning styles.
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