Figure 1.--Knit outfits were popular for younger Dutch boys. Note the white socks and sandals.

The Netherlands was devestated by the World War II (1939-45). Unlike World War I when the Germans respected Dutch neutrality, the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940 as part of the offensive in the West an occupied much of the country until early 1945. Conitions deterioated in late 1944 and the population was near starvation when the Allies arrived in 1945. Economic conditions remained very difficult until the Marshall Plan began to revive the economy in 1948. Families in the early post-war years had little money for food--let along clothing. Many Dutch parents were unemployed. Factories were damaged in the war or closed because of reconomic conditions. As a result, people wore their clothes as long as possible. This was probably esppecially the case for the children in the family. Boys wore clothes longer than they would haver in better economic conditions. Clothes were not discarded because they were unfassionmable. They were worn as long as possible--untill they wore out or were outgrown. It was not until the late 1940s and early 50s that the populatiion as a whole could eaily afford expenditures on new clothes. Boys in the 1940s contuinued to wear short pamts. Knickers began to disappear, but continued to be worn 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. Sweaters remained popular garmments. 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.

Historical Background

The Netherlands was devestated by the World War II (1939-45). Unlike World War I when the Germans respected Dutch neutrality, the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940 as part of the offensive in the West an occupied much of the country until early 1945. THe Netherlans were one of the "favored" occupied countries because of the ethnic similarity to the Germans. Even so, erationing was introduced and conditions steadily worsened, especially in 1943 as the War began to go against the Germans. Conditions deterioated severely in late 1944 and the population was near starvation when the Allies arrived in 1945. Economic conditions remained very difficult until the Marshall Plan began to revive the economy in 1948.

Economic Conditions

Families in the early post-war years had little money for food--let along clothing. Many Dutch parents were unemployed. Factories were damaged in the war or closed because of reconomic conditions. As a result, people wore their clothes as long as possible. This was probably esppecially the case for the children in the family. Boys wore clothes longer than they would haver in better economic conditions. Clothes were not discarded because they were unfassionmable. They were worn as long as possible--untill they wore out or were outgrown. Although starvation was averted, economic conditions remained depressed in 1946 and '47. The American Marshall Plan introduced in 1948 had a major impact on the Dutch economy. Economic conditions after 1948 began a rapid improvement. By the early 50s that the population as a whole could increasingly afford expenditures on new clothes. By the mid-1950s the increasinly prosperous Dutch could once again afor fashionable lothes--including fashionable clothes for their children

Figure 2.--Dutch boys during the post-war era increasingly wore more casual clothes. Some boys, however, such as this boy in 1968 still wore ties, like this boy wearing a Cardigan sweater. Cardigans were a British style and ab indicator of British influence in Dutch boys' fashions.

Chronology

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. Shorts [ants 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.

Garments

Dutch boys immeiately after the War wore thev same basic garments as they had before the War. This change rapidly in the 1950s as economic conditions improved. Many older garments like smocks and wooden shoes completely disappeared. New garments like jeans and "T" shirts appeared which by the late 1960s were becoming increasingly popular.

Influences

The Netherlands is a very small country. It was still possible to have destinctive clothing styles in the 19th century when modern media was still of limited influence. This became increasingly less possible in the 20th centuries when Dutch boys increasinly dressed like boys in neighboring countries. English influences appear very common in the post-war era. The Dutch perhaps more than any other European country speak English. The English were also greatly admired for their role in the War. Styles like school sandals, Cardigan sweaters, pullover styling, knitwear, and even suits all showed English influences. Toward the end of the period in the late 1960s, German styles became increaingly important. The fading memories of the War and German occupation may have been a factor in the increasng influence of German fashion.

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Created: February 18, 2001
Last updated: March 3, 2001