Figure 1.--We begin to notice more colorful shorts, including shirts with stripes and checks in the 1940s. One German source suggests it was in part the influence of U.S. servicemen in the post-war occupation. The trend was forst noticeable in the south where the American occupation zone was located..

Insights into what German boys were wearing after the War can be seen in some of the many images of the Berlin Air Lift. Children were drawn to the activity at the airports. Pictures of the planes coming into Templehof are often framed with the children watching the flights. American pilots started dropping candy which attracted even more children.

Headwear

Shirts

We begin to notice more colorful shorts, including shirts with stripes and checks in the 1940s. One German source suggests it was in part the influence of U.S. servicemen in the post-war occupation. The trend was forst noticeable in the south where the American occupation zone was located.

Sweaters

Sweaters were very popular, both sleecved and sleevless styles. Both solid colors and patterns were common. Shirt collars were normally worn outside the sweaters.

Pants

German boys in the post-War era wore a wide range of different types of pants.
Long pants: Long pants were worn, especially during the winter. They were not ciommon for younger boys, however, until well into the 1950s.
Suit jackets: Many boys did not have a lot of clothes. They maight wear a suit jacket much as modern boys wear casual jackets.
Knickers: Knickers were still common in the 1940s. Many were te ski-style with very long legs, the boys kneesocks barely visible. Some younger boys even had suspender knickers--althoughbsuspender shorts were more common.
Short pants Not all boys wear shorts, but most of the younger ones do as well as many older boys. Even some older tenagers can be seen in short pants suits. In the colder months, outfits are more varied. Many boys during the winter wear long pants. There are still many boys in short pants and knee socks, but clearly many mothers decided on warmer long pants for winter wear. Some boys at the time cleary continued to wear short pants suit until they were older teenagers. Shorts were commonly worn by German boys through the 1950s. In part this was due to the financial dislocations resulting from the war. Many parents simply did not have the money to buy their children new clothes. As a result, some high secondary school boys wore their boyhood short pants suits longer than they might have if their parents had more money.
Suspender shorts: Many younger boys wear suspender shorts. They are very cimmon with younger boys and even some boys over 10 years of age wear them.
Lederhosen: Lederhosen were popular, especially as compfortable pants such as k\jeans did not appear until well intgo the 1950s.

Hosiery

During the warmer months many boys are barefoot or wear ankle socks. Kneesocks were also common, especilly during the fall and winter with boys weraing shorts. Some of the younger boys in shorts during the winter months wear long over the knees stockings. Many younger boys went barefoot.

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Created: February 17, 2004
Last updated: February 17, 2004