Figure 1.--The older boys in this 1906 portrait all wear Russian blouse outfits. The girls are dressed in outfits that might have been worn in Wesrern Europe. We are unsure what the Russains blouses represent. Perhaps this was their school clothes. It seems unlikely that these were their best outfits. Looking at the girls, the family seems quite prosperous. The portrait was taken in Voronesh. Note the older boys' shaved heads. The younger child on the right may be a boy as the other two younger children have hair bows.

Popularity in Russia

Russian blouse styling appears to have been a popular style in Russia at the turn of tghe 20th century. We do noy know just when this style developed and how it changed over time. The Russain blouse was worn by both peasants as well as Russian boys. Many boys appear to have worn Russian blouse outfits to school. Some may have dressed up in Russian blouse outfits, but at this time we do not understand the conventions for wearing it.

A HBC reader reports in Robert Massey's biography, Nicholas and Alexandra, he described that there was a period during Nicholas' reign when Russian folk style (especially peasant style) such as Russian blouses were in vogue. He suspect that this helped to popularize the style, both wihin and without Russia the style. HBC believes, hoever, that Russian blouses were worn before Nicholas' reign, perhapsnot as extensively by middle-class boys.

Popularity in Other Countries

European and American boys at the turn of the 20th Century wore two garments in the Russian style, tunics and blouses both worn as part of a suit ensemble. The Russian styling was especially popular in France. The Russian tunic had existed for some time. The Russian blouse suit was a new style. The Russian style came in two styles, a tightly buttoned at the neck style which appeared in the 1890s and an open square collared style which appeared after the turn of the century. The open square collar was rather an informal style worn with short pants.

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Last updated: February 7, 1998
Created: December 23, 2001