Figure 1.--We have one image of a Sudeten German family where all the children (two girls and a boy are dressed in identical smocks). The smocks look rather like a Scottish plaid which apparently was fashionable in 1936. I have not noticed this pattern being used commonly in German clothing. The photograph is a family portrait at home. The family's name is Hartl and they lived in Pilsen. Notice the boy's right part.

We have seen little indication that smocks were commonly worn by Sideten Germans. We have noted one photograph where a mother dressed all her children in plaid smocks. We do not think that this was common, but our information is limited.

Smocks in the Sudetenland

Some smocks were worn, but we do not know how prevalent this was or what the fashion influence was. German boys did not commonly wear smocks. We have noted some in the early 20th century, but by the NAZI era (1933-45) we rarely see them. I have no information at this time as to whether or not Czech boys wore smocks.

Image

We have one image of a Sudeten German family where all the children (two girls and a boy are dressed in identical smocks). The smocks look rather like a plaid. I have not noticed this pattern being used commonly in German clothing. Apparently Scottish plaid was very fashionable in 1936. HBC assumes this was in Czecheslvakia and not across the border in NAZI Germany. Perhaps it was an Austrian influence. Austria in 1936 had not yet been incorporated into the Reich. Interestingly while all three smocks are plaid, the patterns are differemt. They are worn with large white pointed collars. It is unclear but the children seem to be wearing long black stockings. The photograph is a family portrait at home. We do not know if this was just for home wear or if the children played in these smocks. They look rather dressy for playwear. We doubt, however, if the boy went to school in this smock. Other photographs of the family show the boy wearing short pants.

Note that the boy's hair is parted on the right while in Germany, as in France, and other countries, left side parts were much more common. A French reader reports that such right parts were also sometimes the case in France withmothers who took special care with the clothing and appearance of younger children. Also note the father's hair which is combed back without a part.

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Created: January 31, 2002
Last updated: January 31, 2002