Figure 1.--These American children were probably photograpged in the early 1920s, perhaps the boy's confirmation or the baby's confirmation. Dark long stockings were condidered appropriate for such a formal event.
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Figure 1.--These American children were probably photograpged in the early 1920s, perhaps the boy's confirmation or the baby's confirmation. Dark long stockings were condidered appropriate for such a formal event. |
The greatest change in children's clothing in the post Wotld War I period occurred when dressing boys in skirts until the age of four or five was discarded. Instead, little boys wore romper suits or short pants. School-age boys wore knickers of corduroy or wool with knee-length socks. Most American boys wore them. They were also wore in Europe, but primarily older boys, younger boys wore short pants. American boys in the early 1920s wore long stockings with their knickers, but by the end of the decada, knee socks were more common. The change from knickers to that first pair of long pants was symbolic of the change from boy to man. Little girls wore dresses cut much like those of their mothers, straight and unfitted.
The greatest change in children's clothing in the post Wotld War I period occurred when dressing boys in skirts until the age of four or five was discarded. Instead, little boys wore romper suits or short pants. Little girls wore dresses cut much like those of their mothers, straight and unfitted.
Quite significant shifts in knicker suits occurred in the 1920s. At the beginning of the decade, relatively long jackets were worn. American boys of all ages wore knickers, although some younger boys still wore kneepants suits. They were mostly worn with long dark stockings. By the end of the decade older boys were mostly wearing long pants. Knickers were also mostly worn with kneesocks.
Knickers were particularly popular in the United States. Most American school-age boys wore knickers of corduroy or wool with knee-length socks. While older American boys generally switched to short pants, knickers continue to be worn by older boys in Europe. Younger boys mostly wore shorts. HBC is unsurre, however, just how popular knickers actually were with boys.
A reader writes, "Knickers were very common for boys in America during the 1920s. It was, however, not just boys wearing them. Many rather sporty men in the 1920s (including my father on occasion) wore knickers for country and informal wear at places like country clubs and golf courses. It was a
somewhat upperclass look. F. Scott Fitzgerald, the famous novelist, wore knickers as a young adult."
Conventions for wearing knickers varie from country to country. Most American boys wore them, especially in the earch 1920s. By the en of the decade they had become less common with older boys. In Europe, boys mostly wore short pants, although older boys might wear knickers. They were less common in England than on the Continent.
American boys in the early 1920s wore long stockings with their knickers, but by the end of the decade, knee socks were more common. Kneesocks were more popular with the boys, but long stockings were considered more appropriate for ress occassions. In Europe, it was less common to wear knickers with long stockings. European boys mostly wore kneesocks.
The change from knickers to that first pair of long pants was symbolic of the change from boy to man.
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