German Youth Groups: Uniform Garments

Hitler Youth
Figure 1.--The Hitler Youth unoforms incorporated many garments and the militaristic look of Baden Powell's Scouting movement.

For many countries, the garments worn by youth groups are fairly standard because the youth movements have been dominated by a single or small number of youth groups. With Germany this is a little different. Certainly therec are four groups which have dominated German youth groups (Wandervogel, Scouting, Hitler Youth, and the Young Pioneers--East Germany). While these groups were dominant, the German Youth movement, especially during the Weimar Republic was very large and diverse. Unfortunately wedo not have a lot of information on many of the different youth groups that were active during this period. They were supressed after the NAZIs seized power (1933), although Catholic groups were allowed to operate a few years longer. The first important German youth group had a uniform, but it was more like a agreement on utilitarian garments. As far as we can tell, the rather loosely organized organization did not give great attention to a uniform and we do not see Wandervogel images with the boys all outfitted in matching uniforms. Instead easy manyinence short pants (especially corduroy shorts), dark shirts, a waterproof jacket, and hob-nailed boots were indispensable. This was in effect a uniform, but was not the para-military uniform adopted by the Scouts or later by the Hitler Youth and Pioneers. Some of the available images of the Wandervogel seem to show the boys without uniforms, although it is not always easy to tell. The Boy Scouts were less important in Germany than other European countries, but the military-inspiref Scout uniform had enormous importance on the uniforms of other German youth groups. You can see Scout items like neckerchiefs, short pants, and knee socks echoed in the uniforms of the other groups, especially the Hitler Youth and to a lesser extent the Young Pioneers. The various smaller groups also added some garments to the ones used by the country's youth groups.

Group Uniforms

For many countries, the garments worn by youth groups are fairly standard because the youth movements have been dominated by a single or small number of youth groups. With Germany this is a little different. Certainly therec are four groups which have dominated German youth groups (Wandervogel, Scouting, Hitler Youth, and the Young Pioneers--East Germany). While these groups were dominant, the German Youth movement, especially during the Weimar Republic was very large and diverse. Unfortunately wedo not have a lot of information on many of the different youth groups that were active during this period. They were supressed after the NAZIs seized power (1933), although Catholic groups were allowed to operate a few years longer. The first important German youth group had a uniform, but it was more like a agreement on utilitarian garments. As far as we can tell, the rather loosely organized organization did not give great attention to a uniform and we do not see Wandervogel images with the boys all outfitted in matching uniforms. Instead easy manyinence short pants (especially corduroy shorts), dark shirts, a waterproof jacket, and hob-nailed boots were indispensable. This was in effect a uniform, but was not the para-military uniform adopted by the Scouts or later by the Hitler Youth and Pioneers. Some of the available images of the Wandervogel seem to show the boys without uniforms, although it is not always easy to tell. The Boy Scouts were less important in Germany than other European countries, but the military-inspiref Scout uniform had enormous importance on the uniforms of other German youth groups. You can see Scout items like neckerchiefs, short pants, and knee socks echoed in the uniforms of the other groups, especially the Hitler Youth and to a lesser extent the Young Pioneers. The various smaller groups also added some garments to the ones used by the country's youth groups.

Specific Garments

We see German boys wearing aide range of uniform items. Only the Boys Scouts wore the Baden-Powell lrmon-squeezer cap, but we see varioys groups wearing military-styled peaked caps, campaign caps, berets, and other styles. One especially popular cap was the Schirmmütze, a military style that was used as a winter cap for the Hitler Youth. Many groups adopted the Neckerchief introduced by the Boy Scouts. Both the Hitler Youth and Young Pioneers adopted neckerchiefs as well many smaller groups. We notice a range of different shirt styles. Military styles with pockers were very popular. Many groups had short pants uniform, primarily because they were seen as suitable for outdoor activities. Also because they were standard boys' wear at the time. Most groups until after orld war II wore knee socks with short pants. Knicker-like ski pants were also worn and after World War II we begin to see more long pants in the post-War era. We also see many boys wearing heavy, boot-like footwear suitabke for outdoor activities. One destinctive German youth group item was the Jungenschaftsjacke introduced by dj 1.11. We also note a range of popular accessories, especially belt buckles and knives.







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Created: 6:49 PM 6/23/2008
Last updated: 6:49 PM 6/23/2008