Sailor Suits: Germany--Terminology


Figure 1.-- We note some period styles for which thre is no rel German words such as kilts and Fauntleroy suits. This is not the case for sailor suits. These suits were widely worn by German boys and there were German terms for the various sailor suit items. Here we see a German boy wearing a classic sailor suir. The photograph ws marked 1905, but I think it might be a little latter, but notice the sailor collar extending to the shoulders, that does look like the early 20th century.

We note some period styles for which three is no real German words such as kilts and Fauntleroy suits. This is not the case for sailor suits. These suits were widely worn by German boys and there were German terms for the various sailor suit items.

German Language Terms

The German term for sailor suit is "Die Matrosenkleidung". To translate Sailor suits as Seemannskleidung is correct, but I think Seemannsanzug or Matrosenanzug are more common. Other related terms include: sailor caps and hats ( Matrosenmütze ), cap tally (Mützenband), cap streamers (???), middy blouse ( Oberfähnrich / Matrosenbluse ), dicky (Latz), scarf (Halstuch), tin whitle ( Blechpfeife ), reefer jacket ( Seemansjacke ), sailor trousers ( Seemannshosen ), bellbottom trousers (???). Hopefully our German readers will assist with the needed translations.

Album1900 Glossary

Album1900 has prepared a detailed glossary for sailor suits and garments. The site tells us, "At one time the boy's sailor suit and the girl's sailor dress were almost like a uniform for children. Everywhere one could see the striped square collar. Please scroll down to learn more about all parts of a sailor suit and some historical background. What we show here is mostly based on German sailor suits. But the child's sailor suit first appeared in Britain and children throughout the western world wore similar suits."







HBC




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Created: 5:37 PM 4/12/2006
Last updated: 5:37 PM 4/12/2006