Fabrics Used in Boys' Clothing: Kahki

Figure 1.--

Khaki uniforms originally started with the British empire at it's height during it's colonization in the late 19th century. It originally came from India when it was realized that when cotton was mixed with a substance (?) from India, a material could be made that was durable and comfortable to wear in countries that had temperate climates and could be worn in winter and summer with ease. The material was made to be several gauges heavier than cotton but it was comfortable and durable to wear in a harsh enviroment such as bushveld. It also became ideal for military uniforms due to it's durability and being light at the same time--hence the name 'Khaki Uniform'. Khaki's were usually brown in colour but green was also extensively used for military dress and was used worldwide. Although intially an adult military fabric, as is so often the case, khaki became very important in boys' clothing.

Origins

Khaki uniforms originally started with the British empire at it's height during it's colonization in the late 19th century. It originally came from India when it was realized that when cotton was mixed with a substance (?) from India, a material could be made that was durable and comfortable to wear in countries that had temperate climates and could be worn in winter and summer with ease.

Definition

Khaki comes from the Hindu meaning dusty, derived from "khak" rgw word for dust. As is the case for many other Hindu words, they were incorporated into the English language asa result of the British colonization of India. The current meaning in terns of color is a "dull yellowish brown. Khaki is also a fabric, a stout twilled cotton fabric often used for uniforms and dyed in this color. It is also used for a similar wool fabric.

Marerial

The material was made to be several gauges heavier than cotton but it was comfortable and durable to wear in a harsh enviroment such as bushveld. It also became ideal for military uniforms due to it's durability and being light at the same time--hence the name "khaki uniform".

Color

Khaki's were usually brown in colour but green was also extensively used for military dress and was used worldwide.

Boys' Clothing

Although intially an adult military fabric, as is so often the case, khaki became very important in boys' clothing. Khaki first appeared in boys clothing as part of Baden Powell's Scout uniform.

Country Trends

America

I believe that khaki was intriduced to American boys buy the Scout uniform in 1910. This requires, however, greater investigation. We do know that khaki begins to appear in children play clothes during the 1920s. Khaki became a particularly popular color for short pants. Kkaki by the 1950s had beconme a main-stay for boys slacks, or casual trousers suitable for school or informal wear. American boys normally wore blazers with flannel trousers, but by the 1950s, khaki slacks had become a key element of the preppy look. Boys began wearing blue blazers with khaki slacks. A HBC reader in Californina reports that khaki is cool in California diring 2001, especially Levi Dockers. Very popular with guys of all ages. High School kids wear them a lot. The Dockers shorts were popular in the early 90's, but now other brands, especially those in cargo styles, in a variety of colors, are now popular. Khaki pants and shorts come in cargo style, carpenter style and regular styles. Old Navy sells a great deal of them now. Khaki pants are now the dress pants of choice for most boys and khaki pants and shorts are the most popular for school uniforms. The uniform pants and shorts are usually dark blue, but khaki color is also popular. They haven't replaced jeans just yet, but they're giving them a run for their money.

England

We believe that khaki was inrtoduced tomBrtitish boys primarily by the Boy Scout movement. As in America, khaki became a very popular color for summer cotton shorts. A a few schools adopted khaki shorts as part of the uniform, but it was not common.

France

No information available.

Germany

No informationa vailable, but we do not believe that khaki was a popular color or material in Germany.

Italy

No information available.

South Africa


In the South African context, being a formerly a colony of the British Empire, South Africa inherited to a large degree the British uniform (and the ranking system) and through time adapted it to local conditions. Now with the rise of Afrikaans Nationalism, an identity had to be established and amongst other, the 'Voortrekkers' youth movement was formed. This was essnetially modelled on the scouting movement of Sir Robert Baden-Powell. The British military uniform was thus scaled and adapted for the boys who joined the movement. Due to the practicallity of khaki and the generally warm to hot climate of South Africa, khaki became also ideal for boys schoolwear. It was light, cool and durable to cope with everyday stresses that boys could put it through. Generally speaking though, it was essnetially used in Afrikaans medium schools. Nowadays, except for school cadets, it has generally fallen from favour. Furthermore on your article South African school uniforms, another iteresting observation is that in Afrikaans primary schools, boys (and girls) are allowed to attend school barefooted. In the state schools (more so in the rural areas), small boys uniforms generally consist of a shortsleeve cotton shirt with the school emblem on the breast pocket and grey shorts.





Christopher Wagner





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Created: September 11, 2001
Last updated: October 1, 2001