Figure 1.--This 1939 Mongomery Wards catalog offered this style of long stockings only in light grey and tan colors.

The colors of long stockings worn by boys changed during the inter-war period. Boys in the early 1920s would commonly wear black or very dark colored long stockings. For dress occasions someboys might even wear long white stockings. Black and especially white long stockings became less common for boys during the 1920s. The colors offered in the 1930s and early 1940s are notable for the lack of color. None of the bright colors that children wore as tights in the 1960s had yet appeared. Almost all of the available colorsd are neutral tones, nostly varying shades of brown. The stockings were available in tan, brownstone, and to a lesser extent black and white. The colors boys usually wore in the 1930s and eraly 40's were most often various shades of brown, tan or beige, though black and sometimes off white, but rarely white.

Chronology

The colors of long stockings worn by boys changed during the inter-war period. Boys in the early 1920s would commonly wear black or very dark colored, usually dark brown, long stockings. After the mid-1920s a variety of lihjter colored browns and tans and greys appeared. These gradually became more popular than the dark colors. Art the same time it should be noted that older boys who had commonly worn dark long stockings in the 1910s no longer wore them. Long stockings as a result were usually made by the mid-1920s only in sizes up to 9 or 10--occasinally in sizes up to 12.

Occasions

The colors of long stockings selected were in part a reflection of the occasion.

Dress occassions

There appear to have been some consideration to colors suitable for dress occasions. For dress occasions someboys might even wear long white stockings. Black and especially white long stockings became less common for boys during the 1920s.

School wear

Boys nmostly wore black or dark brown stockings to school through the early 1920s. Most boys in the mid-1920s began wearing kneesocks, but quite a number still wore long stockings. They would normally wear the new lihgter brown/tan and grey colors.

Specific Colors

The colors offered in the 1930s and early 1940s are notable for the lack of color. None of the bright colors that children wore as tights in the 1960s had yet appeared. Almost all of the available colorsd are neutral tones, nostly varying shades of brown. The stockings were available in tan, brownstone, and to a lesser extent black and white. The colors boys usually wore in the 1930s and eraly 40's were most often various shades of brown, tan or beige, and grey, athough black and sometimes off white and white.

One HBC contributor reports that some more colorful long stockings appeared in the 1930s. HBC has not yet noted them in available mail order catalogs.

Gender Connotations

Therre appear to have been gender conotations associated with long stockings. Girls were willing tonwear virtually any color. White was particularly popular wit younger girls, but they would wear a range of colors in an effort to match their stockings with their other clothes. Boys in contrast were much more conservative. In the early 1920s they almost always wore dark colors, especially black and dark brown. As lighter colors became more popular, boys would wear light shades of grey and brown or tan. They did not, however, like bright colors or white stockings.