Figure 1.--

After World War I, short pants which had become widely worn by the 1920s continued to be worn through the 1960s. After World War II, short cut shorts became fashionable, especially by the 1950s. Shorts were vey common in the 1940s and 50s. They were becoming, however, increasingly seasonl wear. Boy in primary schoolmand the younger boys in secondary school normally wore them. Shorts continued to be worn through the 1960s, but mostly by younger boys by the 1960s. In the early 1960s a few youge boys in seconday schools wore short pants, but by the end of the decade virtually all boys wore long pants to scondary school. Kneesocks were also common, although by the 1950s they had become more seasonal, mostly being worn in the winter and ankle socks in the summer.

Chronological Trends

There were major changes in the pants worn by French school boys during the post war period. After World War I, short pants which had become widely worn by the 1920s continued to be worn through the 1960s.

The late 1940s

After World War II, short cut shorts became fashionable, especially by the 1950s. Shorts were very common in the 1940s and 50s.

The 1950s

Short pants in the 1950s were becoming increasingly seasonal wear. Kneesocks were also common, although by the 1950s they had become more seasonal, mostly being worn in the winter and ankle socks in the summer.

The 1960s

Shorts continued to be worn through the 1960s, but mostly by younger boys by the 1960s. In the early 1960s a few youge boys in seconday schools wore short pants, but by the end of the decade virtually all boys wore long pants to scondary school.

School Level

Boysin primary schooland the younger boys in secondary school normally wore them. Before the 1960s, primary school boys commonly wore short pants, although in the 1950s it became more seasonal. The younger boys in secondary school even by the 1960s stll often wore shorts foir a year or two before switching to long pants, but this was also becoming seasonal. In school portraits around 1960, about one-third of the younger secondary boys woiulkd wear shorts during the warmer months.

Types of Schools

State schools did not have required uniforms. In the state schools, there were no compulsory uniforms. Mothers chose school clothing according to their own taste and contemporary fashion trends. Some private schools did have uniforms. Some private secondary schools had a winter and summer uniforms Commoibly the uniform for the first two sondary uniforms would be short pants. Common uniforms were a jacket ewith grey or navy blue shorts, a bit alike in England. This was especially common i Paris from about 1950-60.

Created: December 30, 2001
Last updated: December 30, 2001