Figure 1.--

HBU also has limited information tights, but we know they were worn by some Pioneers during the 1960s and 70s in Germany and Russia. This appears to have been when tights were most common as boys' wear in East Bloc countris. We believe they were worn in other East Bloc countries with Young Pioneer movements as well as well. White tights appear to be worn for special occasions, but we have noted other colors of tights being eworn as well. In many instances the use of tights for Young Pioneers was because boys, espcially younger boys, wore them to school and most Young Pioneer activities were associated with school. There appears, however, some instances of tights being worn as part of a dress uniform for formal events.

Chronology

HBU also has limited information tights, but we know they were worn by some Pioneers during the 1960s and 70s in Germany and Russia. This appears to have been when tights were most common as boys' wear in East Bloc countris. The chronology is because boys began wearing tights in the 1960s and they began to decline in populzrity in the late 1970s and ealy 80s. We do not know of any official regulaions on tights and other hosiery which may have affcted the chronology.

Countries

HBU has noted accounts of Young Pioneers, both boys and girls, in Russia and Germany wearing tights as part of their Young Pioneer unifoms. We do not know what the actual uniform regulations, but we have noted boys wearing them. We believe they were worn in other East Bloc countries with Young Pioneer movements as well. We know for example that Polish boys wore tights, so Young Pioneers presumably did so as well. We do not, however, have confirmation of that. HBU still has limited information on the Young Pioneers and no infoirmation at all on the uniform worn in several countries.

Gender

Tights were worn by both boy and girl Young Pioneer members. In the countries on which we have information we have noted both boys and girls wearing them. We do not know for a fact, however, that his was the case in all East Bloc countries.

Colors

White tights appear to be worn for special occasions, but we have noted other colors of tights being worn as well.

Conventions

In many instances the use of tights for Young Pioneers was because boys, espcially younger boys, wore them to school and most Young Pioneer activities were associated with school. There appears, however, some instances of tights being worn as part of a dress uniform for formal events.