Figure 1.--These Kiwi school boys were photographed with the bottles they collected as part of the local World War II funds effort. The photograph was taken in November 1940 outside the Miramar Fire Station. The War had begone in Europe, but not yet in the Pacific. The boys look like they are wearing their school uniforms. Note that none of the boys have their kneesocks pulled up. The image is from Archives New Zealand (Ref: 1/2-066941; F).

Significan European immigration bergan in the mid-19th century. Thuus European fashions in New Zealand have a very limited history beginning at this time. Chronological fashion trends have generally followed English trends. The only major difference was that in the mild New Zealand climate that it was more common for boys to go barefoot. Ecven so except for footwear, New Zealand boys tended to wear clothes more in keeping with the English climate than the New Zealand climate. This trend continued well into the 20th century. Boys at the turn of the century generally wore kneepants or knickers with long dark stockings. Sailor suits were very popular for primary school children. By the 1910s, short pants and knickers were more common.The war experienced introduced New Zealanders to Americans for the first time. This widened their perspectives of many New Zealanders. British fashions dominated until the 1960s when American blue jeans and "T"-shirts began to appear. American-style casual clothes appealed to the more casual New Zealand outlook and reflect the gradual movement away from Britain as the British increasinly moved toward Europe and away from its former colonies. New Zealand boys today, except, for their school uniforms, dress almost the same as American boys, jeans, T shirts, baseball caps, and baggy shorts.

The 19th Century

There was little difference between British and New Zealand boys clothes in the 19th cerntury. Some differences existed reflecting New Zealand's colonial development. Major settlement did not begin until the British seized control of the country in the 1840s. Urban centers developed only slowly and most of the poulation lived on farms, thus affecting the clothing needed. One primary difference in the 19th century was the ability of boys to go barefoot for much of the tear because of the more temperate climate. Secondary schools by the 1920s geneerally required short pants uniforms, but state primary schools rarely required uniforms.

The 20th Century

New Zealand fashions continued to basically mirror British fashions until after World War II. Younger boys might wear Fauntleroy suits, but his fashion was out by the 1910s. sailor suits continued to be popukar into the 1920s. Boys at the turn of the century generally wore knee pants or knickers. We see long dark stockings, but going barefoot was very common--even for boys dressing up. We see more and more short pants by the 1910s and commonly bare feet, although when shoes were worn we begin to see knee socks replacing long stockings. Sailor suits were very popular for primary school children. The only real difference we notice with Britain were all the boys going barefoot, even when dressing up. Most New Zealand families still maintained contacts with English relatives and English publications were widely followed, including fashion and sewing publications.

1900s

New Zealand fashions continued to primarily follow British fashions. Most New Zealand families still maintained contacts with English relatives and English publications were widely followed, including fashion and sewing publications. Youngr boys might have wide-brimmed hats with their Fauntleroy suits and sailor suits. Boys wore peaked caps to school. Boys wore blouses with large collars. Most boys at the turn of the century generally wore knee pants or knickers with bare feet or long dark stockings when shies were worn. Eton collars were often worn to school or for Sunday best. During the summer most boys went barefoot. Britain continued to be the primary focus of most New Zelanders and the dominance of English fashion was a reflection of this. One major difference was how common to go barefoot, especially for boys.

1910s

Short pants were becoming increasing popular by the a110s, but were rather long looking more like knee pants. Fauntleroy suits were no longer worn, but sailor suits continued to be very popular. Sailor suits were very popular for primary school children and there were many different styles. World War I (1914-18) was, however, a sobering experiences. New Zealanders enthusiastically came to England's assistance, but the losses were horrendous. Memorials to the War dead dot virtually every New Zealand town and city. Some after the War began questioning their ties with Britain.

1920s

Most boys wore shorts pants, often going barefoot. Secondary schools geneerally required short pants uniforms, but state primary schools rarely required uniforms.

1940s

World War II profoundly changed the mindset of New Zealanders, especially the attitude toward Britain. Until the War attachments had primarily been with Britain. The Japanese attacks in the Pacific were a frigtening experience. Not only was Britain unable to defend New Zealand, but the New Zealand Army was in North Africa fightening the Germans. The only thing that stood between New Zealand and Japanese invasion in 1942 were four American aircraft carriers. The impact on how New Zealanders viewed Britain was never te same. The War had other impacts. It introduced New Zealanders to Americans for the first time. This widened their perspectives of many New Zealanders which was to be reflected in fashion and other areas after the War.

1960s

After the War there were many changes that were to impact fashion. Immigrants began arriving from all over Europe. New Zealanders were primarily of British stock before the War, but after the War a greater diversity developed. British econmic policy also began to shift, gradually focusing more on its European neighbors than the Commnweath. Just as New Zealand's previous political and economic focus on Britain weakened so did the focus on British fashions. British fashions dominated until the 1960s when American blue jeans and "T"-shirts began to appear. American-style casual clothes appealed to the more casual New Zealand outlook and reflect the gradual movement away from Britain as the British increasinly moved toward Europe and away from its former colonies. Clothes more in keeping with the New Zealand climate and life style became dominate.

1990s

New Zealand boys today, except, for their school uniforms, dress almost the same as American boys, jeans, T shirts, baseball caps, and baggy shorts.

The 21st Century

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Created: February 7, 2002
Last updated: 4:19 AM 2/5/2016