Figure 1.--Many American dads were seen off to the War in the early 1940s by knicker-clad sons. When they returned, far fewer knickers were to be seen. Note that the boy wears ankle rather knee socks with his knickers in this photograph, probably taken in 1942. One reader wonders if the boy is wearing a baseball uniform. It is is possibe, but uniforms werenot as common in 1942 as after the War. Also note that the pants are worn with a belt and that there are no stylistic details as are commonly found on baseball uniforms.

Major trends occured in boys wear during the 1940s. World War II of course had a huge impact on these changes. Fashions of all kinds were impaired by the World War which broke oit in Europe in September 1939 after Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland and Britain and France followed with a declaration of war. The War soon led to clothes rationing througout Europe. America was not forced into the War until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Fashion developmens during the early 1940s were most pronounced in America which was least affect among the major combantant nations. The most obvious trend during the 1940s was the rapid disappearance of knickers. American boys in the 1930s till widely wore knickers. They were still quite common in 1940, but by 1945 had become a much less impoprtant style. They were still seen in the late 1940s, but had vecome a fashion of minor importance. Knickers persisted somewhat longer in Europe, but the trend was the same. Other important developments in the 1940s was the expanding popularity of jeans and "T"-shirts, two garments heavily influenced by the War.

The War

Major trends occured in boys wear during the 1940s. World War II of course had a najor impact on these changes. Fashions of all kinds were impaired by the World War which broke oit in Europe in September 1939 after Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland and Britain and France followed with a declaration of war. The War soon led to clothes rationing througout Europe. America was not forced into the War until the Japnese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Fashion developmens during the early 1940s were most pronounced in America which was least affect among the major combantant nations.

Headwear

Boys in the 1940s wore caps much less commonly than in the 1930s. Most caps in the 1940s were worn during the einter and might have ear flaps.

Caps

Boys in the 1940s wore caps much less commonly than in the 1930s. Most caps in the 1940s were worn during the einter and might have ear flaps.

Shirts

Another developments in the 1940s was the expanding popularity of "T"-shirts. American boys had begun wearing "T"-shirts in the 1930s, brightly colored shirts with bright horizonatal stripes. Both long and short sleeved styles. The "T"-shirt was heavily influenced by the War. Many GIs wore "T"-shirts in working situations during the War. When they returned home, the casual "T"-shirt was much more accepted than ever before.

Suits

Suits were less commonly worn as casual styles became increasingly accepted as families moved to the suburbs. Suits and sports jackets were worn with large collars. Sport jackets with different colored matrial for the jacket and sleves were popular. Norfolk jackrts were poular, especially for boys. Jackets for older boys and men had very wide lapels. Some boys still wore shirt pants suits which were still available in sizes up to about 12 years old, but most boys by that age were wearing long pants suits. Boys from affluent families were the most likely to wear short pants suits. The Eton suit for little boys which first appeared in the 1920s began to grow in popularity. The Eton jacket worn by American boys was a short, collarless jacket, in various materials. It was usually worn with short grey pants. It was still mostly worn by boys from affluent families.

Sweaters

Sweaters were popular garments in the 1940s. A variety of styles were worn, pullovers with a variety of neck styles. Both sleeveless and sleeved styles were available. Some boys also wore cardigans, usually older boys in highschool. Sweaters came in a wide variety of colors and patterns as well as solid-colored flat weaves. Sweaters were useful garments and very versatile. They can be worn for dressing up, school, play, and outdoorwear in chilly weather. The only problem for boys is that they are some times taken off when it warms up and thus can be easily lost

Pants

The most obvious trend during the 1940s was the rapid disappearance of knickers. American boys in the 1930s till widely wore knickers. They were still quite common in 1940, but by 1945 had become a much less impoprtant style. They were still seen in the late 1940s, but had vecome a fashion of minor importance. HBC is not quite sure why knickers disappeared so rapidly in America. Perhaps with dad away during the War, boys were more easily able to convince mon to buy them long pants. Knickers persisted somewhat longer in Europe, but the trend was the same. Mostly older boys had been wearing knickers in Europe, except during the winter. Eurpean boys continued wearing mostly short pants. Knickers steadily declined in popularity in Europe also, even during the winter. Of more importance for the future was the increasing importance of jeans. By the end of the decade, American elementary children, many of whom had been wearing shorts and knickers to school, were now wearing long pants jeans. Jeans were, however, yet to appear in Europe.

Play Suits

A popular style for younger boys was the play suit. These might be button-on combinations or just matching shirts and usually short pants. The shirts had varying styling. One popular style was the sailor styling--but not always middy blouses. The suits were often avialiable in light colors. The concept of the play suit appeared at the turn of the 20th century with outfits like the Buster Brown and other tunic suits. By the 1930s, however, theu had become simpler more utiliatain garments. I believe the first matching shirts and shorts play suits appeared in the 1930s, but were very popular in the 1940s.

Hosiery

American boys in the 1940s increasingly wore socks, primarily ankle socks. Boys in the 1930s had commonly wore knee socks with knickers. Short pants were worn with both kneesocks and ankle socks. The solid color kneesocks were not as popular as in Europe. American boys often wore knee socks with pattern at the top. As knickers became less common, knee socks became less common. Boys increasingly wore ankle socks. Commonly with horizontal stripes. American boys in the 1950s no longer commonly wore kneesocks, especially for play or school. Some boys who still wore short pants suits did sometimes wear knee socks, but this became increasingly less common by the 1960s. -This was true, as the decade progressed, even when wearing shorts or knickers. Knee socks were becoming increasingly less common for boys, although boys from affluent families might wear them when dressing up as part of a suit. Long stocking were still worn but became ecen less common. The ankle socks worn were usually colored ones wth horizontal stripes.

Footwear

American boys mostly wore oxford leather shoes. Very young boys might wear closed-toe sandals. School age boys, however, did not commonly wear them. The canvas shoes which appeared in the 1920s grew in popularity during the 1940s. The most popular brand was Keds which I think were only available in black and worn as high-top styles.