Figure 1.--We mostly see American boys in the early 20th century wearingvsuspenders as a form of trouser suspension. Note that the Wisconsin boy here in 1910 wears sispenders ad that his knickers do noy have belt loops.

The various options of trouser suspension varied in popularity over time. We have some information for the 19th century. We notice button-on clothing very commonly in the early and mid-19th century. We also notice suspenders in the 19th century, but are not yet sure when they first appeared. Younger boys at the the turn of the 20th century wore bloomer knickers with bodices. We know much more about the 20th century. We note suspenders rather than belts in the early 20th century. Trousers in the early 20th century were still not made with belt loops. Belts became increasingly popular after Word War I in the 1920s. We note button-on styles being worn very commonly during the 1920s-40s. Suspenders continued to be worn through the mid-20th century. Suspender pants in various forms were worn in the mid-20th century, but were not as common as in Europe. Shortalls were quite popular for younger boys at mid-century. After World war II boys mostly wore belts, although wesee some pre-teen boys wearing suspenders. Suspenders have never disappeared, but belts are by far the dominant type of trouser suspension.

The 19th Century

We have some information for the 19th century. We notice button-on clothing very commonly in the early and mid-19th century. We also notice suspenders in the 19th century, but are not yet sure when they first appeared. Our information, however, is very limited. This is in part because we have primarily used photography as a source of information. Any 19th century portraits commonly show children wearing jackets which obscure the type of trouser suspension.

The 20th Century

We know much more about the 20th century. Younger boys at the the turn of the 20th century wore bloomer knickers with bodices. We note suspenders rather than belts in the early 20th century. Trousers in the early 20th century were still not made with belt loops. Belts became increasingly popular after Word War I in the 1920s. We note button-on styles being worn very commonly during the 1920s-40s. Suspenders continued to be worn through the mid-20th century. Suspender pants in various forms were worn in the mid-20th century, but were not as common as in Europe. Shortalls were quite popular for younger boys at mid-century. After World war II boys mostly wore belts, although wesee some pre-teen boys wearing suspenders. Suspenders have never disappeared, but belts are by far the dominant type of trouser suspension.

Created: 10:41 PM 3/27/2008
Last updated: 10:41 PM 3/27/2008