*** United States boys clothing: Personal experiences--shorts and socks during the late 20th century








American Boys' Clothes: Shorts and Socks during the Late 20th Century

American short pants and socks
Figure 1.--This American boy in the 1980s wears denim cut-off shorts and tube socks. Note that these cut-offs were bought in the store as cut-offs and not made by his mother.

We find the changes in attire endlessly fascinating. When I was a kid in the 60's, boys almost never wore shorts, preferring blue jeans, cords or other long pants and T-shirts or button-up plaid shirts. For a few years, surfer shirts were the rage. They were white with large vertical strips, usually blue. Also popular were wool shirts made by the Pendelton Co. They were usually black and blue, green or red. It was probably the most "in" thing to wear to Junior High School in the early 60's. I have noticed over the past 30 years how boys style preferences have been very fickle, especially in regards to shorts and socks.

The 1970s

In the 70's, boys stated wearing shorts more often, mostly cut-offs. A popular way to wear them was with a slit partways up the side. This was very popular in California. Socks went from mid-calf to over-the-calf (as they were known) tube socks.

The 1980s


Early 1980s

This continued into the early 80's when OP short cord shorts became very popular. The were worn with tube socks that usually had matching stripe colors. The "preppy" look became cool and the boys would wear collared shirts to match the shorts and color on the tube sock rings. (in fact a few of my Little Leaguers wore red Izod shirts under their uniform tops to create a special "team" look. Also popular were nylon Adidas soccer shorts, which were as short as the OP ones. T-shirts remained popular, but blue jeans were definitely out! No kid wanted to be caught dead in them, preferring Levi cords instead.

Mid-1980s

In fact it wasn't until the mid-80's that boys began wearing blue jeans again, and they haven't stopped since. In the mid-80's the shorts that were popular were madras style that were longer than the OP's, coming to just above the knees. Boys then started pushing down their tube socks, then changing to white only, then going to crew length (still slightly pushed down-a style that remains till now).

Late-1980s

In the late 80's the shorts then descended to below the knees. Usually just below, but longer than ever. Most kids that I coached preferred shorts in a variety of styles (especially denim) that came to just above the knee. Blue jeans were still the most popular pant and T-Shirts were the popular shirt.

The 1990s

In the mid to late 90's, the length and width of shorts and long pants really changed. Most kids wore very baggy shorts and pants that would hardly stay up. The shortest shots seemed to be the ones that came just to the bottom on the knee and this also remains until today. Shirts were also extra long and baggy.

The 2000s

Now kacki shorts and pants are very popular. Camp style shorts and carpenter shorts seem to be the most worn. Length seem to vary quite a bit. Some kids still wear the very long ones, but many are wearing them up around the knee. At least clothes are starting to trim up and not be so baggy. Socks remain white and the very short ones seem to be getting popular again, although most boys wear crew length. Button-up shirts are popular again and they are usually worn with colored T-shirts and are usually untucked. Earrings seen to on the way out for the most part. Hair is still very short and crew cut lengths are still popular.

Reflections

It's funny how things come in and go out and vice versa. One thing that really cracks me up is how popular boxer shorts are now. When I was a kid everyone wore briefs for underwear; boxers were "old man underwear". Now it's come 180 degrees and "tighty whities" are "old man underwear". I wonder when the kids of today are older and they see themselves in the long baggy junk of today and wonder why their parents didn't stop them from wearing that stuff, just as many of the kids of the 70's feel when they seem themselves as they were wearing those "Brady Bunch" clothes. Ah well. I guess it's what makes life interesting. It really is a facinating subject. I really enjoy your site. Keep up the great work.

P.S. Regarding choir outfits, I was in a Junior High Choir that was quite good in the early 60's and we wore maroon robes with white collars. One of my kids was in a boys choir in the early 90's and they wore blue dress shirts, ties, navy pullover sweaters and gray dress pants. Quite different.

Craig Morton









HBC






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Created: September 5, 2001
Last updated: 4:25 AM 10/10/2024