Figure 1.-- Many boys still wore short pants suits in the 1950s, often with sports shirts or with an open collar. Short pants suits were very common in the early 50s. Many teenagers wore them. Here a teenager and his mother are at the Berlin Zoo in 1953. Noitice the ankle socks. Until the 1950s, knee socks were much more common.

German boys continued to commonly weore kneepants suits in the early 20th century. After World War I (1914-18), short pants suits became increasingly common--although older boys might wear knicker suits. Knee pants gradually disappeard, but short pants were generally quitelong through the 1920s. Suits became worn less in the 1930s after the NAZI take over. But most boys had short pants suits. After World War II, Gemany was in a terrible state and few families had much money for clothing. Many German boys continued wearing their suits after they had rather grown out of them. Families differened as to when a boy would receive his first long pants suit. Most younger teenagers still wore short pants suits. Many boys still wore short pants suits in the 1950s, often with sports shirts or with an open collar. By the 1960s, boys were increasingly wearing long pants suits, although suits were being worn less than before as German boys increasingly turned to more casual fashions. Many boys now get their first suits at age 14 for their confirmation. Catholic boys might get a suit even earlier for their First Communions.

The 1900s

German boys continued to commonly weore kneepants suits in the early 20th century. Some boys also wore bloomer knickers, but they were becoming less common.

The 1910s

The 1920s

After World War I (1914-18), short pants suits became increasingly common--although older boys might wear knicker suits. Knee pants gradually disappeard, but short pants were generally quitel ong through the 1920s.

The 1930s

Suits became worn less in the 1930s after the NAZI take over. But most boys had short pants suits. Families differened as to when a boy would receive his first long pants suit. Most younger teenagers still wore short pants suits.

The 1940s

Hitler launched World War II (September 1939). German successess and looting of conquered countries meant that civiian life was at first not much affected. As the War turned against the Germans, this changed. Provably few boys in 1944 and 45 got new syits. After World War II (1945), Gemany was in a terrible state and few families had much money for clothing. Many German boys continued wearing their suits after they had rather grown out of them.

The 1950s

Many boys still wore short pants suits in the 1950s, often with sports shirts or with an open collar. Short pants suits were very common in the early 50s. Many teenagers wore them. A factor here during the early 1950s was probably that Germany was still recovering from World War II and money was still tight with mazny families. Some boys wore knicker suits, but they were going out of style. Shot pants suits were especially common sat the bginning of the decade. By the tend of the decade, teenagers were commnly wearing long pants suits.

The 1960s

By the 1960s, boys were increasingly wearing long pants suits, although suits were being worn less than before as German boys increasingly turned to more casual fashions. Many boys now get their first suits at age 14 for their confirmation. Catholic boys might get a suit even earlier for their First Communions.

The 1970s

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Created: 2:13 AM 6/14/2007
Last updated: 7:47 PM 6/14/2007