Greek Boys Clothes: Institutional Clothing


Figure 1.--This evocative photograph of a Greek school boy was taken by photographer Konstantinos Manos, probably about 1950. Note the boy's shaved head.

The principal institution affecting children is of course the school. Hreel schools have not required school uniforms, but for a while did require school uniforms. Many schools did require a uniform short hair cut. Many Greek orphanges, especially after World War I and the Greek-Turkish War, did have uniforms.

School Uniforms

Greece never adopted a strict school uniform rule. School uniforms were actually banned in 1982. But even before children didnt wear strict school uniforms. In the 1960s and 70s the uniform was comprised of something like a blue overal. I am not sure about that but the uniform surely didnt look like those of the U.K. or other european schools. During the 1930s and 40s (or something like that) boys of school age had to wear a special hat with an owl badge on it. It looked like a cop cap and they should wear it at all times even outside school, even at play. If a teacher caught them not wearing it they would be punished next day at school. A HBC reader reports, "The only personal memory of school uniform I have is at parade days". Schools and the military do a parade twice a year. At Independence Day (March 25) and Ochi Day ("No Day," remembering the Greek resistance of World War II, October 28). Students of 5th and 6th grade of elementary schools and selected students of high schools do a parade on those two days. All students must wear a uniform which is determined by the board of the school. The uniform items must be always blue and white. A HBC reader reports, "I had to parade as a 5th and 6th grader at October 28. I remember my school's uniform was consisted of short blue shorts, black or blue shoes, white dress kneesocks, a white sweater and the school's badge. I remember that it felt weird having to wear shorts during a chilly October morning." At that time (late 80s) most elementary school had uniforms with shorts. Nowdays its very rare to find a school with a short pants parade uniform even if it is an elementary school.

Orpahanages

There were at least three periods were orphanages were of great need in Greece. After independence (1830), after the Asia Minor War following World War I (1920s) and after World War II. (1945-50s). There is also a detailed description from a book about a 1830 orphanage. The first governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, founded the first orphanage in Greece for the children that were orphaned during the independence war. The orphanage was founded in 1828 in Poros island and it was soon transfered to Aegina island. It hosted 600 children. Orphanages came to play an even more important role on the 20th century, especially following World War I and II. Some pictures show that boys were wearing uniforms, especially in the 1920s.








Christopher Wagner






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Created: May 9, 2002
Last updated: June 7, 2002