Figure 1.--This American boy was photographed in a double-breasted knee pants suit about 1910. The portrait is undated, but the style and the fact that it is a photo postcard with a split address back suggests that it was taken after about 1905. The younger child is clearly wearing a smock is clearly a sibling. Giving that it is about 1910, HBC assumes that the child is his sister. The boy looks to be about 8 or 9 years old and the younger child about 5 uears old.

Knee pants were still commonly worn in the early 20th century. They were still quite common in America during the 1900s, but knickerrs were more common in Europe. Kneepants continued to be worn with the ornamental buttoms at the pants hem. Double breasted suit jackets were very popular with early 20th century knee pants styles. Norfolk jackets were another popular style. By the 1910s kneepants had begun decling in popularity, especially for older boys who more commonly wore knickerrs. Knee pants were still worn in the early 1920s, but only by younger boys. More common were knickers and short pants. Some younger boys wore long pants in America, but most American boys wore knickers and European boys shorts by the 1920s. They continued to be worn with long stockings. Knee pants were common in France, the United States and several other countries. They were also commonly worn in England, although knickers were also quite common there. Knee pants were mostlty worn with long stockings in 19th century America, although three-quarter length stockings were common in France. After the turn of the century in America, three-quarter length stockings became more common--although long stockings were commonly worn with a suit. Short pants worn with kneesocks appeared at the turn of the century and rapidly began to replace kneepants in France. In America knickers proved more popular than shorts and were the primary replacemet style.

Chronology

Knee pants were commonly worn in the early 20th century, but the pattern varied substantially from country to country. They were very common at the turn of the 20th century, but gradually declined in popularity, especially after World War I (1914-18). They were very common in America during the 1900s, but knickerrs and bloomer knickers were also worn in Europe. Knne pants declined in popularity during the 1910s. American boys in the 1910s more commonly wore knickers, but youngr boys still wore knee pants. Kneepants were still worn in the early 1920s, but only by younger boys. More common were knickers and short pants. Some younger boys wore long pants in America, but most American boys wore knickers and European boys shorts by the 1920s. We still see knee pants being worn in Europe during the 1930s, but they were no longer common. We see boys wearing knee pants suits for formal occasions during the 30s.

Hosiery

American boys contunued wearing kneepants with long stockings. Kneepants were mostlty worn with long stockings in 19th century America, although three-quarter length stockings were common in France. After the turn of the century in America, three-quarter length stockings became more common with younger boys diring the summer--although long stockings were commonly worn with a suit. Short pants worn with kneesocks appeared at the turn of the century and rapidly began to replace kneepants in France.

Countries

Kneepants were common in France, the United States and several other countries. They were also commonly worn in England, although knickers were also quite common there. In America knickers proved more popular than shorts and were the primary replacemet style.

Styles

Double breasted suit jackets were very popular with early 20th century knee pants styles. Norfolk jackets were another popular style.

Detailing

Knee pants continued to be worn with the ornamental buttoms at the pants hem.

Conventions

Boys wore knee pants for a range of activities, including play, school and formal dress up occassions. Many boys wore knee pants to school. A good example is an American school, the Meredith Village School in 1901.