For some reason we have fewer images of secondary schools during the Imperial era. We do not yet have sufficent images to discuss trends, although we do note quite a variety of styles. As for the primary-age boys, sailor suits were a popular style even for the boy beginning their secondary schools.
A HBC reader has provided us a portrait of what looks to be boys in the early years of the secondary school. The boys look to be about 13 years old. It may be a private school as all of the boys are very well dressed and look affluent. There is just about every variation of shirt collar on show--plus a variety of sailor suits. We wonder to what extent the boys noticed the differences in their sailor suits. Perhaps some boys would have preferred the styles more like the uniforms actually worn by the Kriegsmarine. Some boys wear cadet uniforms with long pants. The boys in sailor suits appear to be wearing knickers and long stockings. One boy appears to be wearing what looks very similar to an English Eton suit. We also notice quite a difference in hair styles.
This school was loocated in Cologne. The class portrait was taken in 1918. We think it is is a secondary school but are not sure. The photograph is notable for the mixture of fashions, both older styles going out of fashion and newr styles just appearing. Many boys wore different styles of sailor suits. We also see several suit styles, both the old style which buttoned at the collar and the newer style with a V-front and lapels. This imahe is a little unsusual in that two boys are wearing open-toe sandals.
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