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American boys primarily wore long pants in the 19th century. And for the first time we see older boys wearing them. Knee pants appeared at mid-century, but were primarily worn by younger boys--mostly boys from fashionable families in the big cities. Large numbers of boys did not begin wearing knee pants until the 1880s, but again mostly younger boys. This changed dramatically in the 1890s. Not only do we see more boys wearing knee pants, but we see older boys wearing them. Not only do we see younger teenagers commonly wearing knee pnts, but we see some teenagers wearing into their mid- and in some cases older-teen years. The shift is quite dramatic and we have no idea just why it occurred. It wasn't a European influence because most teenagers in Europe except some younger teens wore long pants in the 1890s. It wa a clear decession to dress boys in a more juvenile fassion. But we are unsure why this became such a pronounced convention in the 1890s. Perhaps rising affluence was a factor. This change notably occurred after the beginning of the Fauntleroy craze. We are, however, not at all sure. The number oand age of boys wearing knee pants suits continued to increase during the decade. Knee pants were as a result, very widely worn at the turn-of-the 20th century. We notice most American boys wearing knee pants suits in the 1890s and 1900s. We see some knicker suits, but knee pants were by far the most common. We almost always see boys wearing them with long stockings, mostly black long stockings. This also was a variance from Europe where many boys wore socks.
American boys primarily wore long pants in the 19th century. And for the first time we see older boys wearing them. Knee pants appeared at mid-century, but were primarily worn by younger boys--mostly boys from fashionable families in the big cities. Large numbers of boys did not begin wearing knee pants until the 1880s, but again mostly younger boys. This changed dramatically in the 1890s. Not only do we see more boys wearing knee pants, but we see older boys wearing them. Not only do we see younger teenagers commonly wearing knee pants, but we see some teenagers wearing into their mid- and in some cases older-teen years.
The shift in the age of boys wearing knee pants is quite dramatic and we have no idea just why it occurred. It wasn't a European influence because most teenagers in Europe except some younger teens wore long pants in the 1890s. It wa a clear decession to dress boys in a more juvenile fassion. But we are unsure why this became such a pronounced convention in the 1890s. Perhaps rising affluence was a factor. This change notably occurred after the beginning of the Fauntleroy craze. Perhaps this affected the acceptance of juveile attire for boys in a more generalized way. We are, however, not at all sure and would welcome reader thoughts. One reader writes, "Could sports have played a role in the rise of knee pants in the 1890s? For example, they might have been easier to wear while riding a bicycle than long pants. Baseball uniforms had knee pants (or knickers) at the time." Thst's an interesting suggestion, but of course it was not just knee pants for leisurewear that became popular, but knee pants in general, especially suits.
The number and age of boys wearing knee pants suits continued to increase during the decade. Knee pants were as a result, very widely worn at the turn-of-the 20th century. We notice most American boys wearing knee pants suits in the 1890s. By the end of the decade, knee pants were virtually universal for American boys. Knee pants continued to be commonly worn in the 1900s.
We see some knicker suits, but knee pants were by far the most common.
We almost always see boys wearing them with long stockings. This also was a variance from Europe where many boys wore socks. Most boys wore black long stockings. They may worn other dark colors as well, but this is difficult to assess from black-and-while photyographs.
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