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.
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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. |
I 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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