Dutch Boys' Clothes: Influences


Figure 1.--

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. Quaint local styles were still quite common in the 19th century. This became increasingly less possible in the 20th centuries when Dutch boys increasinly dressed like boys in neighboring countries. German styles were common in the early 20th century. French styles were less influential. Many Dutch boys wore smocks, but they were uite different than French smocks. 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. Dutch boys in the late 20th century wore clothes that were virtually indestinguishable from German fashions. The popularity of open-toed sandals is on of many examples. After World War II a sizeable immigrant populatin from Dutch colonies and North Africa have settled in the Netherlands. While it is an increasingly important group, they seemed to have had very little impact on Dutch fashions.

Small Country

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. Quaint local styles were still quite common in the 19th century. This became increasingly less possible in the 20th centuries when Dutch boys increasinly dressed like boys in neighboring countries. br>

Germany

German styles were common in the early 20th century. French styles were less influential. Many Dutch boys wore smocks, but they were uite different than French smocks. English influences appear very common in the post-war era. 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. Dutch boys in the late 20th century wore clothes that were virtually indestinguishable from German fashions. The popularity of open-toed sandals is on of many examples.

England

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.

Immigration

After World War II a sizeable immigrant populatin from Dutch colonies and North Africa have settled in the Netherlands. While it is an increasingly important group, they seemed to have had very little impact on Dutch fashions. Current immigratin trends combined with low Dutch birth rates could potentially mean that the Netherlands will eventually become an Islamic country. Similar developments are occuring in other European countries such as Britain and France, but the small Dutch population and the openess withbwhih the Dutch have received immigrants means that immigration has a potentially greater impact on the country. . A Dutch reader tells us, "I cannot, of course, speak for the French, but as to trends in the Netherlands and Belgium I am convinced that there is no such influence on the length of shorts and skirts of the autochtonous population. In the recent debate on the proposed French ban on Islamic headscarves in public institutions, which has echoed in the Dutch and Belgian press, a very large section of the public, probably the majority, are against such a ban as it would infringe on religious freedom which is entrenched in our countries´ Constitutions. But I have yet to hear of someone who is wearing a headscarf or covering more of his legs or arms out of sheer sympathy for his Mohammedan fellow citizens - except when visiting a mosque or madrassah. There are of course those who, out of racism or xenophobia would rather do the opposite. And there is a number of kids who like to show off their racist feelings by sporting certain pieces of clothing such as bomber jacks, Doc Martens boots with white laces, and the like. Many of these items are common to racist youth throughout Western Europe but there is one which is probably limited to Belgium and Holland for linguistic reasons. Lonsdale clothing is being worn by racist teenagers in both countries since it can be read as a Dutch acronym for 'Laat Ons Nederlandse Skinheads De Allochtonen Langzaam Elimineren' or ´Let us Dutch Skinheads slowly eliminate the foreigners´ . The Lonsdale company are trying to counter this attitude by sponsoring the ´Racism Beat It Festival´ but in spite of that some schools are trying to impose a Lonsdale-ban on their students."






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Created: February 29, 2004
Last updated: February 29, 2004