Figure 1.--German boys commonly wore short pants during the first half of the 20th century. They were still very common into the 1950s. Here in the 1950s, a Germany city family is visiting their country relatives.

Short pants appeared in the late 19th century, they were initially worn by younger boys. We note some knee pants without the three decorative buttons at the knee hem. We are not entirely sur to call these pants short pants or knee pants. Short pants were worn in the 1890s beginning with the Wandervogel before the turn of the century and then the Scouts and other youth groups after the turn of the century. After World War I (1914-18) by the 1920s, short pants were almost universally worn by Germam boys into their teens. Even some older teens wore shorts, although after about 15 boys began wearing knivckers or long pants. Shortpants were essentially the same length as knee pants, but gradually grew shorter. Short pants were most common during the inter-War period and post-War period. Many boys wore short pants year round, swithing to long stockings in cold weather. Most boys during this period wore short pants until about 15 years of age, although this varied from family to family. Some older teens wore shorts as casual wear. Shorts were still very common after World War II in the early-1950s, in part because of economic conditions, but by the 1960s German boys were increasinly wearing long pants. Af first we begin to see more long pants in the Winter, but gradually they became stanndard wear. Here the appearance of jeans had a major impact, esopecially among teenagrs. They began to decline in popularity in the late 1950s, especially as ordinary or dress-wear. As in other European countries they began in the 1960s to be seen as casual summer wear. Very short cut shorts became populr in the 1970s. We sse long, baggy shorts appearing in the 1990s.

The 19th Century

Short pants appeared in the late 19th century, they were initially worn by younger boys. We note some knee pants without the three decorative buttons at the knee hem. We are not entirely sur to call these pants short pants or knee pants. Short pants were worn in the 1890s beginning with the Wandervogel before the turn of the century and then the Scouts and other youth groups after the turn of the century.

The 20th Century

Knee pants and short pants were very popular in the early 20th century. They we often difficult to destinguish. After World War I (1914-18) by the 1920s, short pants were almost universally worn by Germam boys into their teens. Even some older teens wore shorts, although after about 15 boys began wearing knivckers or long pants. Shortpants were essentially the same length as knee pants, but gradually grew shorter. Short pants were most common during the inter-War period and post-War period. Many boys wore short pants year round, swithing to long stockings in cold weather. Most boys during this period wore short pants until about 15 years of age, although this varied from family to family. Some older teens wore shorts as casual wear. Shorts were still very common after World War II in the early-1950s, in part because of economic conditions, but by the 1960s German boys were increasinly wearing long pants. Af first we begin to see more long pants in the Winter, but gradually they became stanndard wear. Here the appearance of jeans had a major impact, especially among teenagers. Most teens stopped wearing shorts even in the summer.. They began to decline in popularity in the late 1950s, especially as ordinary or dress-wear. As in other European countries they began in the 1960s to be seen as casual summer wear. Shorter cut shorts became populr in the 1960s. And very short shorts, some with althtic styling were popular in the 970s. By this time shorts were bsically for summer casual wear. We sse long, baggy shorts appearing in the 1990s.

The 21st Century

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Created: 7:18 PM 12/4/2008
Last updated: 7:18 PM 12/4/2008