Figure 1.--South Africa's rather moderate tempersate climate is a factor in the garments worn by South African children. Casual clothing can be woirn year round. |
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South Africa is made up of a diverse mix of African, Europen, and Asian people. Each of these groups have destinctive dress and garments. Although it is primarily the European (mostly English) styles that became standard. American styles became important for casual wear in the 1970s. It was the English who came to dominate South Africa and as a result, English clothing styles became the accepted standard in South Africa, among the Afrikaaners and the Africans who could aford them. Even after the Afrikanner Nationalist Party gained control of South Africa, it was English fashions that predominated in South Africa. We note relaitevely little influence from the Netherlands. The Afrikaaners retained Afrikans (a Dutch dialect), but largely lost contact with the Netherlands. The garments worn in South Africa are now essentially the same as those wprn in America and Europe. Footwear seems largely British or American, although many South African children go barefoot. Among blacks it is ofren a matter of poverty, but among white it is more out of preference.
South Africa's rather moderate tempersate climate is a factor in the garments worn by South African children. Casual clothing can be worn year round. Although it is primarily the European (mostly English) styles that became standard. American styles became important for casual wear in the 1970s.
The garments worn in South Africa are now essentially the same as those worn in America and Europe. Our South African archive is very limited, thius we do not have a lot of information on the footwear worn. As best we can tell it was very similar to British styles and now the generalized pan-European styles. The major difference is the number of children going barefoot. Many children wear flip-flops or go barefoot. Among blacks it is ofren a matter of poverty, but among whites it is more out of preference. Going barefoot is especislly prevalent among Afrikaaner children. A reader writes, "A South African boy could spend the whole summer barefoot: he is allowed (often encouraged) to attend school in bare feet and he can go to church with no shoes. Of course he can be barefoot for playtime and for sports, but also a ceremony clothing can be properly worn without any footwear. Many girls also go barefoot.
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