Figure 1.--This American boy wears an Eton collar with his short pants suit. He wears a matching belt. Note the patterned kneesocks which seem rather out of place with an Eton colar. They look like the kneesocks normally worn with knickers. European boys would be more likely to wear solid colored kneesocks. The photograph was taken in Chicago, Illinois, probably taken about 1935. |
Short pants suits appeared in the 1910s and had become quite common in Europe,
but less so in America during the 1920s. Short pants were worn year round by British and
some other European boys, but were more seasonal in America. They became somewhat
more common in America during the 1930s, but for younger boys. They were very
often worn with short ankle socks rather than kneesocks. Boy during the summer
might wear their suit jackets with white or light-colored short pants. Ankle socks
were particularly common in the summer. Younger boys in America might wear
Eton suits, lapelless jackets worn with Eton collars.
Boys do not begin wearing short pants suits commonly until the 1920s. Previously knicker and kneepants suits were more common. Chrnological trends vary by country.
Short pants suits appeared in the 1910s and had become quite common in Europe,
but less so in America during the 1920s. Short pants were worn year round by British and
some other European boys, but were more seasonal in America. They became somewhat
more common in America during the 1930s, but for younger boys.
Most boys wore suits to their reciatals. Younger boys might wear Eton suits. Older boys wore suits rather like their fathers, except for the pants. The length of the short pants varied substantuially. This depended on the period, country, and mother's preferences.
Younger boys in America might wear Eton suits, lapelless jackets worn with Eton collars. These were concervative rather formal suits. While mostly younger boys wore the Eton suits to recitals, many older boys, especially in the 1920s, might wear an Eton collar with their suits for formal recitals.
Single breasted suits were the most common. Suits had a number of stylistic differences. Some had matching belts made out of the same material as the suit. Lapels could be quite wide. Single colored suits were generally wornnto recitals, but sports jackets with different coloted pants begin to appear by the late 1930s.
Double breasted sduits were also wornnby boys, but not as commonly as single breasted styles.
Some of the other clothing worn with short pants suits at recitals include.
Most boys wore adultvlooking ties, although some younger boys still wore bows in the eraly 1920s. Both bowties and neckties were worn. The neckties could be quite wide. Boys by the 1930s might wear open collared shirts with their suits.
They were very
often worn with short ankle socks rather than kneesocks. Boy during the summer
might wear their suit jackets with white or light-colored short pants. Ankle socks
were particularly common in the summer, especially in America.
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