Figure 1.-- Short pants suits began began to decline in popularity even in Europe. We still see short pants suits, but much less commonly. This was especially the case for younger boys. One exception was Japan where boys continued to commonly wear short pants suits. Younger boys, however, still commonly wore short pants suits. And by the 60s the shorts began to become very short, especially for younger boys. This boy may be Mexican.

The short pants suit was a garment of the 20th century. It dominated European boyswear in Europe and was also worn in America. Short pants suit were most commonly in the first half of the century. Short pants suits began to appear in England during the 1910s and had generally replaced knickers by World War I (1914-18). Few Ebglish boys wore knickers by the 1920s. The chronological pattern differed by country. Knickers continued to be more popular in America, much more popular than short pants suits. Shorts were most popular with boys from affluent families. This social divide was not as pronounced in Europe. The pattern in Europe was more similar to England and by the 1920s, short pants suits were common throughout Europe. Almost all younger boys wore them and even some older boys. Boys as old as 15 or 16 years might wear them. In many countries, knickers continued to be worn by older boys or for cold weather wear. They were the primary outfit for boys throughout the inter-war period. After World War II (1939-45) shorts pants suits were still commonly worn in Europe, sometimes by quite old boys--perhaps reflecting the difficult economic conditions. In Anerican they were mostly wirn wby younger boys. By the 1960s, however, short pants suits began to decline in popularity even in Europe. One exception was japan where boys continued to wear them. Boys by the 1970s were no longer commonly wearing short pants suits, although some were worn as school uniform. They weremhowever, occasionally seen in fashion magazines.

The 1900s

We still do not see many boys wearing short pants in the 1900s. Most American boys wore knee pants in the 1900s. Younger American boys might wear bloomer knickers in the 1900s. The situation ws mpre complex in Europe. Bloomer knckers were very popular on the Continent. English boys more commonly wore kneepnts and older boys might wear knickers.

The 1910s

Short pants suits began to appear in England during the 1910s and had generally replaced knickers by World War I (1914-18). Here a factor may have been Baden-Powell's Boy Scout movement. The United States began to diverge significantly from European styles. Most American boys wore knicker suits. Younger boys wore bloomer knickers with tunic suits.

The 1920s

Few English boys wore knickers by the 1920s. The chronological pattern differed by country. Knickers continued to be more popular in America, much more popular than short pants suits. Shorts were most popular with boys from affluent families. This social divide was not as pronounced in Europe. The pattern in Europe was more similar to England and by the 1920s, short pants suits were common throughout Europe. Almost all younger boys wore them and even some older boys. Boys as old as 15 or 16 years might wear them. In many countries, knickers continued to be worn by older boys or for cold weather wear.

The 1930s

Short pants suits were the primary outfit for boys throughout the inter-war period. We see boys of all ages including teenagrs wearing short pants suits, although this varied somewhat by country. An exanple is a German teenager in 1933.

The 1940s

After World War II (1939-45) shorts pants suits were still commonly worn in Europe, sometimes by quite old boys--perhaps reflecting the difficult economic conditions. In America they were mostly worn by younger boys. Here social class factors were involved. Boys from affluent families were more likely to wear short pants suits.

The 1950s

The 1960s

Short pants suits began began to decline in popularity even in Europe. We still see short pants suits, but much less commonly. This was especially the case for younger boys. One exception was Japan where boys continued to commonly wear short pants suits. Younger boys, however, still commonly wore short pants suits. And by the 60s the shorts began to become very short, especially for younger boys.

The 1970s

Boys by the 1970s were no longer commonly wearing short pants suits, although some were worn as school uniform. They were, however, occasionally seen in fashion magazines.

The 1980s

The 1990s

The trend toward casual styles were clearly see in the 1990s when even suits might be worn in a casual manner. Bobs except todlers generally wore longpants suits, but some short pants suits were still worn, almost always during the spring or summer.

Created: 4:11 AM 10/13/2007
Last edited: 4:11 AM 10/13/2007