Figure 1.--In the post-War era, especially after the 1960s, boys stopped commonly wearing kneesocks. School was the major exception. Kneesocks were still commonly worn to school. These boys in the 1980s had a uniorm consisting of short trousers and kneesocks.

Many schoolboys in the late 19th century wore long over the knee stockings with kneepants. We note that boys at public schools commonly wore knickers (knicerbockers) with kneesocks, perhaps in part because these schools more commonly had games where kneesocks were being worn. The boys often cuffed over their kneesocks over the leg hem of the knickers. They become much more common after the turn of the 20th century, especially after they were adopted as part of Baden Powell's Boy Scout uniform. After World War I (1914-18), kneesocks worn with short pants became a very commonly worn school garment in Britain ad many other European countries. This continued through the 1960s after which it became increasinly common for boys tower long trousers. Some primary and prep chool boys continued wearing short pants and kneesocks. Shorts are still worn at some schools in the 2000s, but kneesocks ar becoming less coomon.

The 1890s

Many schoolboys in the late 19th century wore long over the knee stockings with kneepants. We note that boys at public schools commonly wore knickers (knicerbockers) with kneesocks, perhaps in part because these schools more commonly had games where kneesocks were being worn. The boys often cuffed over their kneesocks over the leg hem of the knickers.

The 1900s

Kneesocks become much more common after the turn of the 20th century, especially after they were adopted as part of Baden Powell's Boy Scout uniform.

The 1910s

The 1920s

After World War I (1914-18), kneesocks worn with short pants became a very commonly worn school garment in Britain ad many other European countries.

The 1950s

The 1960

Kneesocks became less common after World war II for general wear, especially by the 1960s. Even so, kneesocks were still very commonly worn for school. A reader at a Church of Englanf primary writes, "It is true that "school socks" were by far the most commonly worn kneesocks when I was growing up and that goes for out-of-school wear as well as (obviously) for school. Our primary school kneesocks were bought at BHS and were grey with two green hoops around the turnover tops (our school colours being green and yellow).Very few state primary schools had more than one colour around the tops of the socks (unlike secondary schools and prep schools which might have two or three colours and were more expensive)." More infotmation is avilsble in Bill's section.

The 1970s

By the 1970s you rarely see boys wearing kneesocks except for school. Also in the 1970s it became increasinly common for boys to wear long trousers making kneesocks unecessary. Some primary and prep school boys continued wearing short pants and kneesocks.

The 1980s

Long trousers continued to grow in popularity in the 980s. As a result there were fewer boys wearing short trousrs and kneesocks. They were still worn at some primary schools and prep schoools. Often the older boys at schools with short pats uniforms were allowed to wear long trousers. Some schools had seasonal rules with ankle socks worn in the summer. Some schools allowed the boys to wear long pnts diring the winter.

The 1990s

The 2000s

Shorts are still worn at some schools in the 2000s, but kneesocks ar becoming less common. A school master reports a typical scene in the library at his school, "Boys often wear their uniforms differently. At my school, all boys wear grey shorts, but the white shirts can be either short sleeved, long sleeved rolled up to the elbow or long sleeved buttoned down to the wrist. One boy at the back leaning against the bookcase is wearing his blue blazer and grey jumper! All the boys are wearing grey knee socks with the school colour on the bands in the turnover tops; the knee socks are positioned round their ankles in what would appear to be a deliberate act. The staff generally acceed to this 'fashion statement' made by the boys; in my day, teachers would have reprimanded us for breach of uniform regulations. I the autumn because all the boys are wearing jumpers underneath their blazers and all the girls are wearing black tights even though the sun is shining. The boys, again by wearing their knee socks round their ankles, are making no effort to dress for the cold weather. On this basis surely it would be sensible for manufacturers to produce grey ANKLE socks, as well as grey KNEE socks, both with turnover tops containing bands in the school colours. Perhaps I am missing the point entirely through not being able to 'read' the juvenile minds of kids today as to what is 'cool'? "