Figure 1.--.
|
Figure 1.--. |
Many American boys in the 1940s still commonly wore shorts, although there was a real age divide here. Some American boys never wore short pants and began wearing long pants as toddlers. Other American boys wore shorts until there early teens. Much younger boys wore short pants than in Europe. In addition shorts were not as common as in the 1930s. The shorts pants worn by younger (pre-school age) and older (school age) could be quite different. Little boys might wear shorter cut shorts, while knee-length shorts were considered more appropriate for older boys. Shorts were not yet regarded as purely summer wear. Some boys would wear shorts even when it was chilly enough for a sweater. Older boys, however, increasingly wanted long pants. Many styles of short pants were only available in sizes up to about 9 or 10 years of age. Summer shorts were available in sizes up to 12 or 13 years.
Many American boys in the 1940s still commonly wore shorts, although there was a real age divide here. Some American boys never wore short pants and began wearing long pants as toddlers. Other American boys wore shorts until there early teens. Much younger boys wore short pants than in Europe. In addition shorts were not as common as in the 1930s. The shorts pants worn by younger (pre-school age) and older (school age) could be quite different.
Little boys might wear shorter cut shorts, while knee-length shorts were considered more appropriate for older boys. Older boys, however, increasingly wanted long pants. Many styles of short pants were only available in sizes up to about 9 or 10 years of age. Summer shorts were available in sizes up to 12 or 13 years.
Shorts were not yet regarded as purely summer wear. Some boys would wear shorts even when it was chilly enough for a sweater.
Figure 3.--This outfit was advertised as a sweter suit and included a wool crew-neck sweater and flannel short pants. The shorts or cotton-twill lined, a self belt and two side pockets. It was available in blue or brown in sizes from 3 to 10 years. |
There were any number of special styles for younger boys. One style for younger boys was a kind
of bib-front shorts which during the summer might be worn with or without a "T" shirt. During the winter there were coveralls. Often the shorts by younger boys were
suspender shorts. This was especially
true of dress shots, such as the ones worn with Eton suits.
Many special styles of short pants for younger boys:
Button-on: These shorts buttoned on to the shirt or blouse to
hold it up. The button-on style was mostly for younger boys, but shorts for boys as old as 12 were made in the button-on style.
Suspender: Some shorts came with suspenders of the same material as the the shorts. The suspenders were attached to the shorts or buttoned on.
These were generally dressier shorts rather than the ones for play.
Self-belt: Some shorts came with a belt made as the same material as the shorts. This was a very popular style in the 1940s as is a good indicator
to help date images.
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