Figure 1.--This Dutch boys wears a checkered shirt much like an american boy might. The pants, however, look like the grey school shorts a British boy might wear. This was a poost card postally used in the Netherlands in 1959. We're not sure where the card was made. |
Very significant changes in Dutch boys clothing occurred in the post-war era. Boys in the late 1940s contuinued to wear short pamts. The difficult economic condition following World War II (1939-45) limited the expression of fashions. Knickers began to disappear, but continued to be worn well until the early 1950s. During the 1950s boys still commonly wore shorts, but by the 1960s long pants had become increasingly common. Knit outfits were popular for younger boys in the late 1940s an 1950s. Very modern looking shirts are worn. Short pants were commonly worn through the 1950s, but began to decline in popularity during the 1960s. Imptroving economic conditions in the 1950s created nenewed interest in fashion. Rising family incomes meant that the average Dutch boy had much moreSweaters remained popular garmments and by the 1970s were not as commoknly worn by boys. Primary school boys commonly wore shorts as casual or play wear, but secondary age boys anted to wear long pants--especially jeans. Boys increasingly wore more casual clothing. By the late 1960s boys were inceasingly dressing in clothes like jeans and "T" sirts which were to dominate late 20th century boys' clothing.
Very significant changes in Dutch boys clothing occurred in the post-war era. Boys in the late 1940s contuinued to wear short pamts. The difficult economic condition following World War II (1939-45) limited the expression of fashions.
Knit outfits were popular for younger boys in the late 1940s an 1950s. Rather modern looking shirts were worn, in a range of colors. Some boys wore white shirts, but many wore brightly checkered colored shirts. Sweaters were very popular, especially slleveless sweaters. Knickers were still worn in the eraly 1950s, but by the mid-50s had began to disappear. During the 1950s boys still commonly wore shorts, although long pants became increasingly common in the winter months. Quite a range oif shorts were worn, from brief cut shorts to very longs ones--often purchased by mother to allow for growth. Some boys still wore suspender shorts, but these were becoming less popular, except for younger boys. Leather shoes or sandals were still common and smeakers were not yet a fashion statement.
By the 1960s long pants had become increasingly common. Jeans appeared in the 1950s, but did not reallybcatch on until the 1960s. First they were worn by teenagers, but soon younger boys were wearing them as well. By the end of the decade Dutch biys had begin to adopt the kind of pan-European styles heavily influenced by American styles. Increasingly casual styles were the iorder of the day.
Short pants were commonly worn through the 1950s, but began to decline in popularity during the 1960s. Improving economic conditions in the 1950s created nenewed interest in fashion. Rising family incomes meant that the average Dutch family had much more disposable income and more money was being spent on clothes--including children's clothes. Sweaters remained popular garmments and by the 1970s were not as commoknly worn by boys. Primary school boys commonly wore shorts as casual or play wear, but secondary age boys anted to wear long pants--especially jeans. Boys increasingly wore more casual clothing. By the late 1960s boys were inceasingly dressing in clothes like jeans and "T" sirts which were to dominate late 20th century boys' clothing.
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