Figure 1.--Here we see three brothers from Ottawa, Canada. The portrait is undated, but looks to us as if it was taken in the 1890s. The two younger boys wear kneepants. We do not know what their older brother was wearing.

We do not yet have detailed information on 19th chronological trends associated with trousers in individual countries. As far as we can tell, trends in the 19th century were similar throughout Europe and North America. While the basic trends were similar, there were destinctive features and styles in some countries over times, the basic chronological trends, however, seem very similar. North American styles for most of the decade were largely based on European styles. The shortened-leg styles seem to have at first been more popular in Europe than in North America, but by the 1890s, older boys in American were wearing knee pants than in Europe. We note even older teenagers wearing kneepants in America, but that seems rather rare in Europe. We need to archive more images, before we can develop any detailed country trends. Much of our information comes from the late 19th century. Our understanding of the earlt 20th century before photography is much more limited. Photography by the 1860s had become widespread, however, our information is much more extensive in the wealthier countries, because there are many more photographic images available from those countries.

America

North American styles for most of the decade were largely based on European styles. We also notice button-on pants. A good example is an unidentified American boy at mid-century. most boys at mid-century woire long pants. A good example is an unidentified American boy about 1850. The shortened-leg styles seem to have at first been more popular in Europe than in North America, but by the 1890s, knne pants had becone very common in America. A good example is a younger teenager in 1893. In fact we even see older boys in American were wearing knee pants than in Europe. We note even older teenagers wearing kneepants in America, but that seems rather rare in Europe.

Canada

England

France

Germany