Figure 1.--This illustration in a Soviet text book shows children woring on a school project. Note that one boy wears long pants an another short pants with long stockings. Note th giurl also ears long stockings. I'm not sure about the date of this image, probably the 1960s.

The conventions for wearing long stockings were varied. The conventions varied over time, in part because older boys wore long stockings before World War I than was the case after the War. When tights appeared in the 1970s the same conventions were followed. Long stockings were very commony worn in Russia. They were pratical for the cold Russian weather. A Russian reader tells us, however, that long stockings were not just a cold weather fashion, but were also worn by boys in other seasons. Some younger boys did wear shorts year round with long stockings. Some boys wore shorts to school with long stockings. Conventions varied, long stockings were worn for dressy occassions, to school, for play, and other activities. Some parents though a little boy looked smarter wearing long stockings with short pants. They were seen as suitable for children. Thus children were sometimes dressed in short pants suits and long stockings for important family events, weddings, awards, and other ecents. Some children wore long stockings with their Young Pioneer uniforms.

Chronological Trends

The conventions for wearing long stockings were varied. The conventions varied over time, in part because older boys wore long stockings before World War I than was the case after the War.

Tights

Tights replaced long stockings in Russia in a realtively short period from 1969-72. This was presumably because they were easier to wear without cimbersome stocking supporters. When tights appeared in the 1970s the established conventions for long sockings were followed. There may have been some differences, but HBC does not yet know of any.

Conventions

Long stockings were very commony worn in Russia and the conventions were quite varied.

Seasonal Wear

Long stockings were pratical for the cold Russian weather. A Russian reader tells us, however, that long stockings were not just a cold weather fashion, but were also worn by boys in other seasons. Some younger boys did wear shorts year round with long stockings.

Schoolwea

Some boys wore shorts to school with long stockings.

Dresswear

Conventions varied, long stockings were worn for dressy occassions. Some parents though a little boy looked smarter wearing long stockings with short pants. They were seen as suitable for children. Thus children were sometimes dressed in short pants suits and long stockings for important family events, weddings, awards, and other ecents.

Playwear

Long tockings were also worn for play.

Young Pioneers

Some children wore long stockings with their Young Pioneer uniforms.