Swiss Knickers

Figure 1.--.

Knickers were commonly worn by Swiss boys. Mostly older boys wore them as younger boys commonly wore short pants. Often boys wore knickers rather than long pants after graduating from short pants. Some younger boys who mostly wore shorts did have knickers for the colder winter months. During the summer knickers were often worn with ankle socks. Knickers were commonly worn through the 1940s and into the 1950s. Afterward they became associated with cold weather clothes.

Chronology

I'm not sure when Swiss boys first began wearing knickers. Swiss boys comonly wore knickers through the 1940s and into the 1950s. Afterward they became associated with cold weather wear.

Popularity

Knickers were commonly worn by Swiss teenagers. Many boys about 12 or 13 in the 1940s and 50s began wearing knickers rather than short pants. A Swiss reader reports that in the 1940s that most teenage boys wore knickers, over 90 percent of the boys not wearing short pants any more.

Age

Mostly older boys wore them as younger boys commonly wore short pants. Often boys wore knickers rather than long pants after graduating from short pants. Knickers were worn either year round as from 12-13 years up 16-18 or during colder period november-march for boys still in shorts otherwise. The fashion of knickers lost in popularity from years 1960 and quickly disappeared, replaced by real long pants.

Style

Swiss boys at first reportedly wore knickers at nearly ankle level. Gradually shorter knickers appeared up the knne length. Boys di not wear above the knee knickers.

Material

Swiss knickers in to the 1950s were made out of wool, as the synthetic fibers were not yet available, being developed only during the World War II era.

Colors

The colors were similar to those of short pants, plain blue, grey, brown.

Seasonality

Some younger boys who mostly wore shorts did have knickers for the colder winter months.

Hosiery

Socks were either kneesocks or ankle socks (whatever lenght of knickers) and types as well as colors were similar to those worn with short pants. About any colors from white to black, plain colors of discret patterns. Socks (as well as pullovers) were frequently knitted by mothers, grand-mothers, godmothers and childless aunts. During the summer knickers were often worn with ankle socks.

Conventions

Knickers were worn both with the sunday best suit and as school or play clothes. Suits for boys up to 16 years were very frequently made as a three pieces suit with jacket, short pant and knickers.

Nationality

Switzerland is a multi-ethnic country. There are some clothing differences among these groups. French boys, for example, commonly wore school smocks while German boys did not. Our Swiss reader reports, however, that as far as knickers were concerned, he is not aware of any difference.

Language

Knickers in French were called "pantalons golf" or simply "golfs". I am not sure what the term in German or italian terms are.