Figure 1.-- This photo was taken in San Pietro a Patierno, near Naples, in 1965. On the signboard we can read "L'ingresso per le Cresime è da Piazza Madonna Regina 22" (The entrance for Confirmation [Chrismation] is from 22nd Our-Lady-Queen Square). So we know that the girl is receiving the Chrismation. Probably she received also the First Communion. Somewhere in Italy till 1960s it was quite common that the children received together both Sacraments. The girl is wearing the classic white ceremony dress. The boy is wearing white short sleeves shirt and shorts. He wears open toe sandals with white ankle socks.

The usage of hosiery with sandals in Italy has varied over time. Sandls are a type of footwear appearing in the early-20th century, although the related strap shoe appeared earlier. We see many Italian children in the early-20th century wearing sandals without socks, especially in southern Italy. We also see children wearing sandals with socks in cool weather or for formality. Wearing socks was also common for school wear. These conventions varies substantially from family to family. Over time wearing sandals without socks became more and more common. An Italian reader tells us, "Sandals with socks were seen as more formal than with bare feet as late as the 1960s. Today in Italy most children follow the convention that sandals are worn without socks, even for formal occassions. Of course for the most part it is children and women that wear sandals for forml occassions. It is not seen as proper for men."

Created: 8:19 AM 6/4/2013
Last updated: 8:19 AM 6/4/2013