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British boys wore different kinds of belts with school pants. We are not sure when belts first appeared, but they gradually replaced suspenders. Belts were standard by the 1950s. As the boys were required to keep their shirts neatly tucked in at the waists, the issue of belts emerged. Thus trousers began to be made with belt loops at least the fully tailored pants for older boys. This was common for long pants and shorts for older boys. One of the most destinctive was snake belts. The snake referred to the S-shaped class which was the origin of the term smake belt. This type of closures was adopted from military belts. They could be quite colorful. They were commonly done done in the school colors. Other boys wore leather or imitation leather belts. Some schools specified a belt color, either brown or black. Some schools may have had standardized belts at the outfitters. We believe most schools allowed boys to wear any basic belt as long as it did not stand out for a variety of reasons such was a large belt buckle. As far as we can tell, this was not a major problem. Belts also helped keep shirts neatly tucked in waistlines. Belts were more effective than the other alternatives like elasticized waists and tab arrangements.
British boys wore different kinds of belts with school pants. We are not sure when belts first appeared, but they gradually replaced suspenders. Belts were standard by the 1950s. As the boys were required to keep their shirts neatly tucked in at the waists, the issue of belts emerged. Thus trousers began to be made with belt loops at least the fully tailored pants for older boys. This was common for long pants and shorts for older boys. One of the most destinctive was snake belts. The snake referred to the S-shaped class which was the origin of the term smake belt. This type of closures was adopted from military belts. They could be quite colorful. They were commonly done done in the school colors. Other boys wore leather or imitation leather belts. Some schools specified a belt color, either brown or black.
Boys and men used to wear their trousers higherr when suspenders were the primary method used for suspension. Belts and belt loops appeared when waistbands rested lower, ie immediately above the hips (1960s onwards), rather than well up into the lumbar curve of the back. Previously belts when first introduced had been positioned below the waistband, to gather generously cut cloth, and concealed beneath a pullover or (for older boys or adults) the waistcoat. In those days, of course, jackets or blazers were buttoned at once on standing up or walking from one place to another, so that such relative untidiness was hidden in any case.
Some schools may have had standardized belts at the outfitters. We believe most schools allowed boys to wear any basic belt as long as it did not stand out for a variety of reasons such was a large belt buckle. As far as we can tell, this was not a major problem.
Belts helped keep shirts neatly tucked in waistlines giving a smart appearance. Belts were more effective than the other alternatives like elasticized waists and tab arrangements. The boys were incouraged to give some attention to their appeaerance, something younger boys are often not that concerned with. Keeping shirt tails neartly tucked in was one of the issues, along with combing hair and pulling up knee socks. And in the 1980s, hair lengths were generally longer, meaning more hair tyo keep combed.
