La Redoute Casual Bermuda Shorts (1971)


Figure 1.--La Redoute offered two styles of casual Bermuda-style shorts in slightly different lengths, styles, and colors/patterns. One styled had belt loops and the other did not require a belt. These casual shorts were longer than some of the dressy styles of shorts offered. They are shown being worn with polo-shirts, ankle socks, and sneakers.

La Redoute in 1971 offered two styles of casual Bermuda-style shorts in slightly different lengths, styles, colors/patterns, and material (cotton and Tergal). The jean style had belt loops and the madras style did not require a belt. These casual shorts were longer than some of the dressy styles of shorts offered. They are shown being worn with polo-shirts, ankle socks, and sneakers.

La Redoute

La Redoute is an important Paris department store. The store was especially noted for its mail order catalog. One French reader has mentioned the "La Redoute" catalog was well known throughout France. The clothing offered is a good indicator of styles that were widely worn in France and by French people in overseas locations. The some styles were also widely worn in Belgium. Redoute was especially popular in the 1970s.

Fabric

The trademarked fabric are mentioned here is Tergal® which is a finely woven polyester fabric.

Shirts

They are shown being worn with polo-shirts.

Short Pants

La Redoute offered two styles of casual Bermuda-style shorts in slightly different lengths, styles, and colors/patterns. One styled had belt loops and the other did not require a belt. These casual shorts were longer than some of the dressy styles of shorts offered. The ad copy reads, "Les indispensables bermudas! Au choix: le style "madras" très mode et le style "jean" plus viril." This would translate as, "The indispensable Bermudas! To choose: the style 'madras' very fashionable and the style 'jean' very verile."

Style A: Madras shorts

The ad copy reads, "Bermuda en coton à ceinture montée. 1 poche plaquée dos. Fermeture métalíque à la braquette." That translates as, " Bermudas in cotton with an an attached belt. 1 back patch pocket. Metal buckle belt ". (A French reader could probably confirm this. it is hard to translate as it is “advertistising jargon”). It comes in a red or a blue madras. The blue madras is shown here. The sizes are 114cm, 125cm, 138 cm, 150 cm, 162 cm, and 168 cm. I'm not sure what that means in ages, Prices range from F19.50-24.50. Presumably the retailer is trying to sell the product to both the boys and their mothers – the double stitching (read hard-wearing) appealing to the mums,the “patch pockets” and metal belts to the boys.

Style B: Jean shorts

These jean shorts were not made in denim. The ad copy reads, "Bermuda Tergal en polyester et viscose. Devant: deux poches en biais. Au dos: empíécement surpiqué, deux poches plaquées. Fermeture métalique à la braquette." That translates as, " Tergal Bermudas in polyester and viscose. On the front – two angled pockets. On the back – double stitching, two patch pockets. Metal buckled belt”. They came in rouge (red looking more loke pink here) and ciel (sky or light blue). The sizes are 114cm, 125cm, 138 cm, 150 cm, 162 cm, and 168 cm. I'm not sure what that means in ages, Prices range from F17.00-19.50.

Hosiery

The boys wear ankle socks..

Footwear

The boys wear sneakers

Sizing

The sizes (114-168cm) you give here would be by HEIGHT not waist size. In England too at the time clothes were often sold by a boy's height (as though that were standard! As well as by age. This is why many catologues recommended a proper measuring of the child before ordering. HBC has collected some ordering size guides. Over time there has been a shift from inches to cm, but cm has been used for years on the Continent. A reader writes, "My mum never bought from catologues, always taking us into stores to try things on so we never had this problem. I know friends of mine were always complaining that clothes their mums had ordered from catalogues based on their height were either too big or too small."

Individual Experiences

A HBC reader remembers a French exchange student named Didier who stayed with his family in the early 1970s. He wore short pants like the jean shorts here.






HBC





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Created: September 25, 2003
Last updated: February 8, 2004