Philippe of Belgium

Getting around

Transition from trams to buses in Brussels

During the 1950s, public transport in Brussels and other regions relied heavily on trams, but many lines were rapidly replaced by bus services, causing service frequencies to drop; for instance, waiting times increased from six or seven minutes to about twelve minutes.

At the table

Potatoes were the staple of daily life

In the 1950s, potatoes were a staple of the daily diet, with average consumption reaching 150 kilograms per person annually, compared to roughly 80 kilograms today. Households followed a strict meal pattern of potatoes, meat, and vegetables, often considered the holy trinity of the time.

What people wore

Women's fashion and daily wear evolution

Women in the 1950s often wore wide skirts supported by stiff petticoats to create a floral-like silhouette, while housewives commonly wore practical cotton aprons with pockets for daily tasks. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, trends shifted toward narrower, more geometric styles influenced by designers like Courrèges.

Music

Traditional Social Dances and Community Events

Common social dances in Belgium during this period included the polka, wals (waltz), schottische, and the linear branle. These dances were staples at local village celebrations and community events.

Daily life

Classroom life and strict discipline

Children often used a slate and stylus to write in school, and teachers sometimes tied the left hands of left-handed students to their desks to force them to write with their right hands. Class sizes were large, often reaching 30 students, and the school week included Saturday mornings.