Figure 1.--This boy wasn't used to wearing short trouserss. His school unioform included shorts even during the Winter. So on a cold day he added an extra sweater. |
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Most British prep school boys boys since World War I wore short trousers. Usually this was grey shorts, but a few schools had a uniform of blue shorts or some other color. his was, however not very common. The shorts were at first flannel, but by the 1960s Terrelyn became more common as less ironing was required. The popularity of chool shorts began to change in the 1970s as fewer British boys wore shorts, especially during the Winter. Most sdchools required shorts all year round, even in the cold Winter weather. Several schools in the 1980s began introducing more seasonally based uniforms. Long trousers became increasingly common, especially for the older boys. Boys normallt wore either grey or black long trousers. Many schools required the boys to wear shorts. Some schools had an age or form limit. Some boys wore shorts even when not required, but most preferred to wear long trousers is permitted to do so.
We note boys wearing different types of trousers. The British always say trousers and not pants like Americans. Almost all schools by the 1980s had short and/or long trousers. Knickers or breeches had once been common at Brirish schools, but this had generally changed in the early 20th century. The various schools had different regulations about who could wear what and when. This was particularly true of short and long trousers. A few schools required all boys to wear short trousers, but most schools allowed the older boys or prefects to wear long trousers. The precise rules varied from school to school. Some schools used age and ithers form levels as the determining factor. Some schools did not require boys to wear short trousers and generally all or mot of the boys wore long trousers at these schools, although there was some seasonal variation. Generally looking more grown up seemed to win out over comfort, even in warm weather. One school in London had an optional knickers uniform for the Winter.
British prep schools by far most commonly use grey or black trousers. Here shorts are only grey while long trousers can be both black and grey. Less commonly we see blue short and long trousers. Shorts come in some other colors such as khaki. Coruroy trousers also come in several different colors, incliding grey, blue, rust, and maroon. These different colored corduroy troysers are mostly shorts. Corduroy longs are usually dark blue.
British boys before World War II still commonly wore suspenders. This disappeared after the War. Boys wore different kinds of belts. Thus trousers were made with belt loops. This was common for lng pants and shorts for older boys. One of the most destinctive was snake belts, commonly done in the school colors. Other boys wore leather or imitation leather belts. Some shorts weremade with suspension devices. Shorts for younger boys might have elastic at the back of thewaistline. Other shorts had tabs which could be tightened. These were worn without belts.
