Figure 1.-- We do not notice Argentine boys wearing long stockings very commonly. This may be because Italian and Spanish fashion influences influences were very strong and socks were more common in those countries. We do note girls wearing white stockings. Boys did wear stockings, especially for formal occassions, mostly dark stockings. The Argentine boy here wore long stockongs in 1957 for his First Communion.

HBC at this time is only begining to obtain information on the garments worn by Argenine boys. Many Latin American countries have tropical or semi-tropical climates. Thus European clothing was often not appropriate. This was not the case of Argentina which has a more temperate climate. Thus we see Argentuine children wearing European styles more than many other Latin American countries. Argentine children generally followed the same styles and conventions as in Western Europe. Spain and Italy seem particularly important influences. Younger boys wore dresses. We do not note many boys wearing smocks except for school wear. Tunics seem to have been popular at the turn of the 20th century. We note that sailor suits, middy blouses, and kneepants suits. Suit style seem to have followed European styles. Boys seemed to have mostly worn socks rather than stickings. We do, however, note boys wearing long stockings for forml occassions. After World War I kneepants disappeared and Argentine boys began wearing short pants. After World War II long pants become more commom.

Headwear

Suits

As far as we can tell, Argentine boys suits generally followed European trends. We do not yet have mnuch information on Argentine boys' suits in the 19th century. We have found some infortmation on the 20th century. We notice boys wearing both single and double breasted jackets in the early 20th century, but single-breasted blazers became more common in the later half of the century. British and European styles seem more important than American styles. Knee pants and short pants were very common for boys. Until about 1930, long stockings were common, especially for older boys. Gradually knee socks became more popular Knickers were less common. Long pants suits became more common after mid-century, although suits were becoming less common by the 1970s. we are not yet sure about the social class conventions.

Shirts

Pants

Hosiery

Argentine children have worn a wide range of hosiery over time. We see long stockings, knee socks, three-quarter socks, and ankle socks as well as other trends. Long stockings were not as common as in northern Europe and North America, probably because of the important Itsalian and Spanish influence in Argentina. We do see Argentine children wearing knee socks, We also note some children not wearing socks. three-qurter socks very commonly. The popularity of the different types of hosiery have varied over time, to an extent following basically European fashion trends. There were also gender and age conventions which varied over time.

Footwear

Created: 3:05 AM 7/12/2007
Last updated: 11:36 PM 10/15/2012