Figure 1.--This photograph was taken on Martha's Vineyard (1904-05). It's a group of friends posing together on pilings at the seaside with their favorite dog. Someone has tried to identify the subjects of the photograph by penning in initials on the side, but we don't know the names referred to. This is obviously a summer photograph. American boys mostly wore kneepants in the 1890s and knicvkets in the 1910s. The 1900s was a kind of transition period in which you see boys wearing both kneepants and knickers. This photgograph is a good example. The boy on the left sitting on top seems to wear schoolboy clothes (a white shirt and tie, knee pants, and long black stockings). He seems to be about 12 or 13. His friend sitting beside him wears knickers. Note the light colored shoes and also the hat styles. The spaniel obviously takes pride of place.

The popularity and conventions for wearing these different styles of pants has varied over time. Different types of pants dominated during specific periods. During some periods various types were worn optionally. Age conventions were particularly important during some periods. Kneebreeches were worn in the 18th century. A range of different pants types were worn in the 19th century. Long pants appeared first and latter kneepants and knickers. Short pants appeared in the 20th century, but for many years were not popular with many boys. Knickers were much more common until World war II (1941-45). Knee breeches, kneepants, amd knickers have for the most part disappeared. Modern boys wear either short or long pants.

The 18th Century

Knee breeches evolved in the late-17th century just as the English colonies in North America were becoming established. Knee breeches rhus dominated the 18th century in both Europe and America. Knee breeches were worn in the 18th century. They were worn by both men and boys without age destinctions. They were the basic male garment. Some men and boys on the frontier wore long pants, oftem made out of dear skins. As a result the garments were often termed 'buck skins'. Following European fashions, some boys from affluent families in the developing East Coast cities began wearing long pants skeleton suits in the 1790s.

The 19th Century

A range of different pants types were worn in the 19th century. Long pants appeared first and latter kneepants and knickers. Most bpys wore long pants in the first half of the 19th century. Boys began wearing long pants before men as part of skeleton suits, the first dedicated boy's outfit. Fashionable men did not begin wearing long pants until the 1820s. Younger boys from fashionable families began wearing bloomer knickers with fancy suits at mid-century, but long pants after breeching were still most common. By the 1860s knee pants appeared, but were still mostly worn by younger boys, especially boys from fashionable city families. Early knee pants were quite long, often calf-length. Even in the 1970s quite young boys might still wear long pants. Knee pants gradually became increasingly common, but it was not until the 1890s that they became standard and older boys began wearing them. The length also became shorter and by the 1990s were commonly worn at knee length. Here there were important social-class differences. We also notice some boys wearing knickers, but straigh-leg knee pants weree much more common. Theu were usually worn with long stockings.

The 20th Century

American boys at the turn of the 20th century mostly wore knee pants. Virtually all boys wore them. A good example is Harry Lodge about 1908. They were commonly worn by boys of all ages. Styles changed and by the 1910s, knickers were much more common. We see fewer older teenagers wearing them. Knee pants continued to be worn, but mosrly by younger boys. Short pants also appeared in the 20th century, but for many years were not popular with many boys. Knickers were very commonly worn by American boys until World war II (1941-45). After the War long pants became increasingly prevalent. Some boys wore short pats, but knickers disappeared. Boys by the 1950s were mostly wearing long pants. Short panys began to become more popular in the 1960s, but mostly as cassual summer wear. The increasing popular of basketball and abd soccer increased the appeal of shorts with boys. A range of sporty styles of shorts became popular in the 1970s. When dressung up boys mostly wore long pants. Long baggy cargo shorts became popular in the 1990s.

The 21st Century

Boys in the early 21st century seem to like baggy, oversized trouses. Baggy shorts with carfo pants are also very popular.

Created: 2:15 AM 1/26/2005
Last updated: 8:08 PM 7/15/2007