Figure 1.--Here we see younger American children in their play clothes. The boy wears a T-shirt and boxer shorts along with tube socks, probably in the 1980s. Note the back pocket. That was something not sen with many boxers which were commonly basi cotton shorts.

Younger American boys often wore simple boxer shorts. They were simple and practical. They were also inexpensive. Boxer shorts were done in many colors. Most of the boys we have noted wearing boxer shorts are American. We know they were worn in America, but usage was somewhat regional. In some areas, especially the South, boys did wear shorts. We notice boys wearing these boxer shorts from about the late 1940s through the early 60s. They were mostly worn by younger American boys. The popular style for boys up to about 12 was boxer shorts. They were a summer play style in America, often worn with stripped T-shirts. We have rarely noticed this style in other countries. Notice how the American boys here have tucked their shirts into their shorts. This was very common at the time. A HBC reader writes, "This photo brings back memories. This is the type of shorts that I remember wearing when I was about 5 or 6 years old (late 1950's). Younger boys wore boxers for play or everyday wear for years after this photo was taken. I remember wearing shoes and socks like these boys, too. The boxer shorts that I remember were brown. Boxers were a good choice for small boys. There were no cumbersome, restrictive belts, and they were very light weight for active warm weather play. Although this looks a little dressed up, I'd wear them for play, just as these boys. I think you're right, that this photo dates from the 1950's. By the early 1960's small boys would wear sneakers or running shoes and crew socks with their boxer shorts. You wouldn't see boys much older than six wearing boxers for play. Blue jeans (longs), walk shorts or camp shorts would be more likely for boys 6 - 12. By the 1970's it seemed that this style of shorts was not so common. Boys and even young men were wearing what I call gym shorts, the kind I associate with physical education classes in school. These shorts have an elasticized waist band and are generally rather short. In the early 1970's boys generally wore tube socks, long white athletic socks that reach almost to the knee. These socks usually had colored bands at the top. There were shorts from the mid- and late-1980's called jams that also had elasticized waist bands and draw strings. These shorts seem like a descendant of boxing trunks. And shorts by the brand name, Joe Boxer, are popular with boys and young men today. Through the years it seems as though this casual style has grown in popularity. Also, older boys and young men are as likely as small boys to wear this style. HBC has discussed that shorts became more widely accepted in the United States when they were more marketed as casual, rather than dress clothes.

Terminology

The term boxer comes from the fact that boxer short pants wre constructed like the boxer trunks prize fighters wore. Boxing is as old as history, probanly older. We do not see boxers wearing shorts until the 20th centuty. We are mot sure about the precise time table, but think modern trunks did not appear until about the turn-of-the 20th century. This was the time that atheletes began wearing shorts, especiall track and fild contestants in the revived Olympics. In America we see shorts being worn for baskball. Modern looking boxing trunks did not until after World War I in the 1920s. Soon after we begin to see boys wearing simple boxer shorts. Today the term 'boxers' and 'boxer shorts' is more commonly associated with a style of underpants. What the are taking about, however, is the short pants worn by younger biys in the mid-20th century.

Chronology

Age Trends

Younger American boys often wore simple boxer shorts. They were especially useful for youngr boys because they were so easy to put on. They were mostly worn by younger American boys. The popular summer play style for boys up to about 12 years was boxer shorts.

Contruction

Boxer shorts were simple, just basic unlined shorts with an elastic waistband to hold them up and no fly. The boy here has boxers with a back pocket, we are not sure about the front (figure 1). Most had no pockets at all. This was especially the case in the 1950s-60s when they were most commonly worn. The elastic waist was especially important for younger boys because it solkved the problem of suspension. There were all kinds if ways of holding up pants, such as bitton-on garments, belts, and suspnders. But they were all complicated and cumbersome to some extent, a real disadvantage for younger boys. With the elasticizd waist th boy only had to step into them and pull thm up. Even very yong boys could learn to do that. And older boys ppreaciated the simplicity. No buttons, not straps, no fuss.

Usage

Boxer shorts were not only simple, but very practical and inexpensive. Perfect for play and summerwear. And they were usually done in cotton making then easy for mother laundering. Boys couls play and get their clothes durty and mothers could very easily pop these inexpensive boxer shorts in the washing machine.

Colors

Boxer shorts were done in many colors.

Material

Boxer shorts were almost always done in a basic and easily laundered cotton twill fabric. Some corduroy shorts look luke boxers and had partial elasticized waists, but usually had pockets and flys.

Country Trends

Most of the boys we have noted wearing boxer shorts are American. We have rarely noticed this style in other countries.

Regional Trends

We know they were worn in America, but usage was somewhat regional. In some areas, especially the South, boys did wear shorts. We notice boys wearing these boxer shorts from about the late 1940s through the early 60s.

Usage

Boxer shorts were a summer play style in America, often worn with stripped T-shirts. Notice how the American boys here have tucked their shirts into their shorts. This was very common at the time.

Personal Experiences

A HBC reader writes, "This photo brings back memories (figure 1). This is the type of shorts that I remember wearing when I was about 5 or 6 years old (late-1950s). Younger boys wore boxers for play or everyday wear for years after this photo was taken. I remember wearing shoes and socks different from the children here. The boxer shorts that I remember were brown. Boxers were a good choice for small boys. There were no cumbersome, restrictive belts, and they were very light weight for active warm weather play. Although this looks a little dressed up, I'd wear them for play. I think you're right, that this photo dates from the 1980s. The boxer shorts I wore didn't have pockets. By the early 1960s small boys would wear sneakers or running shoes and crew socks with their boxer shorts. By the end of the decade, you wouldn't see boys much older than 6 years wearing boxers for play. Blue jeans (longs), walk shorts, or camp shorts would be more likely for boys 6 - 12. By the 1970s it seemed that this style of shorts was not so common. Boys and even young men were wearing what I call gym shorts, the kind I associate with physical education classes in school. These shorts have an elasticized waist band and are generally rather short. In the early 1970s boys generally wore tube socks, long white athletic socks that reach almost to the knee like the boy here. These socks usually had colored bands at the top. There were shorts from the mid- and late-1980's called jams that also had elasticized waist bands and draw strings. These shorts seem like a descendant of boxing trunks. And shorts by the brand name, Joe Boxer, are popular with boys and young men today. Through the years it seems as though this casual style has grown in popularity. Also, older boys and young men are as likely as small boys to wear this style. HBC has discussed that shorts became more widely accepted in the United States when they were more marketed as casual, rather than dress clothes."

Created: 8:06 PM 2/15/2014
Last updated: 7:48 PM 3/20/2018