Figure 1.-- Here we see the lining to a pair of English corduroy school shorts. As with most school shorts, the lining was white. The material of the lining here is a 55/50 cotton/polyester blend. The image here is a little misleading. The reason why the lining looks like satin is to do with the light of the scanner being reflected back on itself through the brilliance of the lining.

HBC does not understand why school shorts are mainly lined in white, which contrasts with the fabric color whereas skirt linings or linings in mens' trousers are always a similar color to that of the fabric, never a contrasting color. Our HBC reader writes, "I think white has been traditionally used, not only for the lining of short trousers, but also the pocket and waistband linings of long trousers. Another reason why short trousers are lined in a different colour to the fabric could be that jackets are sometimes taken off during the day and as the lining could be seen when the jacket is taken off, then it would be more pleasing to the eye to have the lining in the same colour as that of the fabric of the jacket. Nowadays colour matching of the outer and lining fabrics has become less important. I once saw a red jacket that had a green lining and a navy blue velvet skirt with a silver lining and you can’t get as much of contrast as that." An Australian reader tells us that his son at the St. Peter's School in Adelaide wears grey shorts that have black linings." This seems rather unusual. A British reader tells us that most linings are white, but that on rare occassions that he has seen black linings. Other readers report seeing grey and lihjt-blue linings as well.

Black

An Australian reader tells us that his son at the St. Peter's School in Adelaide wears grey shorts that have black linings." This seems rather unusual. A British reader tells us that most linings are white, but that on rare occassions that he has seen black linings.

Blue

Other readers report seeing light-blue linings. British manufacturers changed over to this colour in the late 1970s and then reverted back to white in the 1990s. I am not sure just whu these changes occurred.

Grey

Other readers report seeing grey linings.

White

HBC does not understand why school shorts are mainly lined in white, which contrasts with the fabric color whereas skirt linings or linings in mens' trousers are always a similar color to that of the fabric, never a contrasting color. It may have been largely a laundry issue. Our HBC reader writes, "I think white has been traditionally used, not only for the lining of short trousers, but also the pocket and waistband linings of long trousers. Another reason why short trousers are lined in a different colour to the fabric could be that jackets are sometimes taken off during the day and as the lining could be seen when the jacket is taken off, then it would be more pleasing to the eye to have the lining in the same colour as that of the fabric of the jacket. Nowadays colour matching of the outer and lining fabrics has become less important. I once saw a red jacket that had a green lining and a navy blue velvet skirt with a silver lining and you can’t get as much of contrast as that."

Created: 3:54 PM 2/7/2008
Last updated: 3:54 PM 2/7/2008