Figure 1.--This unidentified American boy weaes short pants with tan long stockings, probably during the 1920s. Notice the long-skeeve shirt. It was probably taken during the fall or winter.

The popularity of these different light brown (tan/beige) colors varied substantially over time. We also notice light shades of tan and brown. These tan or light-brown shades were one of many colors used for long stockings. We do note note these tan colors to any extent during the 19th century. We do begin to see them in the ealy-20th century. These shades became especially common after World War I (1914-18). These tan shades were not at all common before the War. We are not sure just why these tan shades all of a sudden because popular. Possibly it was the increasing popularity of short pants and acceptance of bare legs for children. This would also seem in keeping with the increasing trend for informality. Another factor was that brown was a popular color for boys' clothing so tan/beign would go with many outfits. Of course these tan/beige stockings were worrn with many colored outfits. We are, however, not at all sure. We note all kinds of diiferent names being used for these tan shades and their both light and medium browns. It is not possible to discern actual hues in the available black and white photographs. It is also impossible to destinguish between the tan shades and grey in the black-and-white photograph of the day. The tan shades, however, were much more common than grey. We can assess the relative darkness. A good example is Unidentified American family, probably in the late 1920s. Boys wearing knickers were more likely to wear black long stockings, or by the 930s, patterened kneesocks. Girls more commonly wore these tan shades. Younger boys also wore the tan shades, often with short pants.

Hues and Shades

The popularity of these different light brown (tan/beige) colors varied substantially over time. We also notice light shades of tan and brown. We note all kinds of diiferent names being used for these tan shades and their both light and medium browns. It is not possible to discern actual hues in the available black and white photographs. It is also impossible to destinguish between the tan shades and grey in the black-and-white photograph of the day. The tan shades, however, were much more common than grey. We can assess the relative darkness.

Chronology

These tan or light-brown shades were one of many colors used for long stockings. We do note note these tan colors to any extent during the 19th century, even the late-19th century. It is a littkle difficult to tell from the black-and white photography of the 19th century, but the photographic record strongky suggests that they were not commonly worn before the turn-of-the 20 century. We do begin to see them in the ealy-20th century. These tan shades were not at all common before the War, but we do see some. These shades became especially common after World War I (1914-18). This sudden shift in the color pf long stockings has been noted on many HBC pages. We have discussed several times on HBC the fashion for tan long stockings as a style that gradually replaced the traditional black stockingsthat became standard in the 1890s. Black long stockings did not disappear, but were generally replaced by the tan/beige long stockings, at least for more informal wear. Long stockings went of of style in the 1940s. At the time it was mostly these tan/beige shades that were being worn.

Fashion Trend

We are not sure just why these tan shades all of a sudden because popular. Possibly it was the increasing popularity of short pants and acceptance of bare legs for children. This would also seem in keeping with the increasing trend for informality. Another factor was that brown was a popular color for boys' clothing so tan/beign would go with many outfits. Of course these tan/beige stockings were worrn with many colored outfits. We are, however, not at all sure.

Age

Most of the boys wearing these stan stockings seem to be younger pre-school or early-primary boys up to about 8 years. Ilder boyy might wear them, but this was less common.. Girls wore then at older ages.

Gender

Girls more commonly wore these tan shades. With younger children, both boys and girls commonly wore them. But with older children it was mostly girls that wore long stockings of any color.

Accompanying Clothing

Younger boys mostly wore long stockings in tan shades with short pants. They were normally worn seasinally. During the warmer months these boys woukd wear shorts with knee socks or abnkle sicks. Boys wearing knickers were more likekt to wear blacl long stockings in the 1920s and patterned knee sicks in the 1930s.

Individuals

We have archived a number of boys on HBC wearing tan/beige long stockings. A good example is Unidentified American family, probably in the late 1920s. Boys wearing knickers were more likely to wear black long stockings, or by the 930s, patterened kneesocks.

Created: 2:39 AM 9/25/2010
Last updated: 2:39 AM 9/25/2010