Figure 1.--This was an Australian photo postcard taken at a studio in Sydney. It is undated, but looks to habebeen taken in the late 1910s. Aeader writes, "Is the boy’s entire outfit made from wool?. It appears that the jacket is wool (maybe knit) and the short pants may also be the same." HBC does not believe so, but it is difficult to make out details in the image.

Australia was colonized in the second half of the 19th Century. At first it was a prison colony. By the 1860s large numbers of English colonists were arrtiving to take advantage of the the vast expanses of inexpenive land. As a result, the photographic record provides an almost complete record of fashions. Austrlian boys fashions in the early 20th century wore quite similar clothes to English boys. Notfolk suits with Eton collars were common, usually kneepants and knicker suits. Shirt pants became increasingly common in the 1910s. ustralian boys continued to wear mostly short pants after World War II. Clothing styles became much more casual after the War. The style of shorts worn during the 1940s and 50s were mostly the English style, rather baggy shorts worn at knee length. Flannel shorts were the most common, but after the war khaki shorts also becam popular, especially for summer wear. Increasingly by the 1960s American styles began to appear. The style of short pants began to change in the 1960s. The shorter style continental shorts became more stylish. American jeans appeared in the 1960s and proved very popular, but could not be worn at school or for any special occasion. Older boys began to wear long pants more commonly to school and for various occasions.

The 19th Century

Australia was colonized in the second half of the 19th Century. At first it was a prison colony. By the 1860s large numbers of English colonists were arrtiving to take advantage of the the vast expanses of inexpenive land. The clothes worn by Australian boys were basically the same as the styles worn by English boys at the time. We notice younger boys fancy suits ith cut-away jackets and bloomer knickers. We also notice Fauntleroy suits, but sailor suits were more common. The one significant difference that we have noted was that Australian boys commonly went barefoot. Both Australian and English boys in the late 19th Century mostly wore kneepants. English boys wore them with long stockings and shoes. For much of the year it was to cold to go barefoot, which was considered a sign of poverty. In the more benign Australian climate, however, it was much more common to go barefoot. Boys in the country almost alweays did so and it was even common in the growing towns. In Australia it was not considered such a sign of poverty, altough the really well to do insisted on long stockings and shoes for their children.

The 20th Century

Considerable information is available on Australian boys clothing during the 20th century.

Early 20th Century (1900-19)

Austrlian boys fashions in the early 20th century wore quite similar clothes to English boys. Notfolk suits with Eton collars were common, usually kneepants and knicker suits. Shirt pants became increasingly common in the 1910s.

Inter-War and War Years (1920-45)

HBC has little information on Australia during the inter-war years. No information available yet. We do have an advertisement from a Sydney newspaoer detailing the boys' clothes a retailer offered in 1938: "Juvenile clothing".

Post-war Years (1945-69)

HBC has collected some information on Australian boys' wear during post-World War II period. Australian boys continued to wear mostly short pants after World War II. The style of shorts worn during the 1940s and 50s were mostly the English style, rather baggy shorts worn at knee length. The style of short pants began to change in the 1960s. The shorter style continental shorts became more stylish. Jeans appeared in the 1960s and proved very popular, but could not be worn at school or for any special occasion. Most Australian boys in the 1940s and 50s wore short pants suits. This did not begin to change until the 1960s, although many boys still wore short pants suits in the 60s. A lot of Australian schools required school uniforms. Many still do, but the styles began to become more casual.

Late 20th Century (1970-99)

Little information developed yet. Australian sources during the 1990s report a growing concern with exposure to the sun which has been reflected in fashions.

The 21st Century

No information developed yet.

Personal Experiences

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Australian country page]
[Return to the Main country page]
[Canada] [England] [France] [Germany] [Ireland] [Italy] [New Zealand] [Scotland] [United States]

Crerated: March 15, 1998
Last updated: October 1, 2003