Figure 1.--This unidentified boy wears what looks like a brand new double-breasted knee pants suit with a corsage in his lapel. It was a confirmation portrait which we know because of the prayer book on the table. The boy was probanly 13-years old. The formality is emphasized by the leather gloves. The outfit is completed with black long stockings and high-top shoes. Note the center hair part. The cabinet card portrait was taken in 1907. Shortly after this portrait was taken, knickers began to replace knee panrs. Notice the white furniture, a strong indicator of the 1900s. The studio was Ray E. Palmer in Buffalo, New York.

Immediately after the turn-of-the 20th century, we still boys wearing knee pants with suits as was the case in the late-19th century. Knee pants were the stabdard trouser style for boys for most of the decade. Knickers began replacing knee pants, although only at the end of the decde. Knee pants were the dominant trouser style for most of the decade. They were dominant in the early 1900s, but gradually we see more knickers as the decade progressed. This happened at the end of the decade. Knee pants were worn throughout the 1900s, but by the end of the decade. We commonly see older boys wearing both knee pants and knickers. We begin to see knickers (1908) and for a short period we see both knee pants and knickers (1908-10). After this we see mostly knicker suits, although we do see younger boy wearing knee pants with blouses. This transition ocuured increadably suddenly and we don't know why. In Europe both knee pants and knickers were worn at the turn of the century. In America straight-leg knee pants were more standard. We have no idea what caused such a sharp change. The great majority if American boys wore knicker suits (1910s). We see some advertisemnents or knee pants suits (1910s), but they were a decided minority andcthis is reflected in the photographic record. This is especially notable for older boys.

Created: 5:03 AM 2/5/2015
Last updated: 5:03 AM 2/5/2015