Figure 1.--. |
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HBC has collected some information on Australian boys' wear during post-World War II period. Australian boys continued to wear mostly short pants after World War II. The style of shorts worn during the 1940s and 50s were mostly the English style, rather baggy shorts worn at knee length. The style of short pants began to change in the 1960s. The shorter style continental shorts became more stylish. Jeans appeared in the 1960s and proved very popular, but could not be worn at school or for any special occasion. Most Australian boys in the 1940s and 50s wore short pants suits. This did not begin to change until the 1960s, although many boys still wore short pants suits in the 60s. A lot of Australian schools required school uniforms. Many still do, but the styles began to become more casual.
Australian boys continued to wear mostly short pants after World War II. The style of shorts worn during the 1940s and 50s were mostly the English style, rather baggy shorts worn at knee length. Flannel shorts were the most common, but after the war khaki shorts also becam popular, especially for summer wear. The style of short pants began to change in the 1960s. The shorter style continental shorts became more stylish. Jeans appeared in the
1960s and proved very popular, but could not be worn at school or for
any special occasion. Older boys began to wear long pants more commonly
to school and for various occasions.
Most Australian boys in the 1940s and 50s wore short pants suits. This did not begin to change until the 1960s, although many boys still wore short pants suits in the 60s. Many parents generally insisted boys wear their suits to "formal" events. Normally a boy would be bought his last shorts pants suit when he was anywhere from 12-14 years old. Older boys might be bought
short pants suits even at v16 in the 40s and 50s. But even boys who got their last short
pants suit at 12 or 14, as suits or worn for several years, might still
be wearing it at 16byears or even older. Wealthier families might purchase a new
suit each year, but middle class boys would have to get the good out
of their suits. As a result even older boys in sdhort pants suits were not uncommon
even in the 60s. Grey suits were common as in England, but many boys also wore navy blue suits which were not common in England.
A lot of Australian schools required school uniforms. Many still do, but the styles have become much more casual in recent years. Catholic schools tended to be more strict about school uniforms than state schools. Catholic elementary school often had uniforms of
shirts, jumpers (sweater), short pants, ties and socks--usually grey. Secondary schools had similar uniforms, only blazers were also worn. Many schools let the older boys wear long pants. Some parents, however, insisted that even their older boys wear shorts. Many schools required the junior boys to wear caps. Most state schools didn't give nearly as much attention to uniforms. This varied greatly from school to school. There was no national regulations about school uniforms. Each school decided on their own school uniforms. Most had only basic uniforms without a lot of formality. Some boys
from private and catholic schools where shorts and caps were worn report being teased by the boys at nearby state schools. Private schools tended to be quite strict about school uniforms. They used the English school uniform styles, including peaked caps, blazers, ties, short pants, and kneesocks. This changed little in the even in the 1960s
when more Australian boys were beginning to wear long pants more commonly.
I was in scouts in 1967 to 1970. We had a shirt, shorts, 'lemon
squeezer hat', scarf/kneckercheif, woggle, long socks worn with garter
tabs. The uniform was
changed in 1972 which allowed scouts to wear long pants on a group
basis.
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