Figure 1.--We note a pair of white cotton piqué shorts worn by an American boy, we think in Wisconsin, during the 1920s. We are not entirely sure about the type of shorts. We at first thought that they were button-on shorts, but now think that the two buttons visible in the imoafe are side closings. Boys pants in the early 19th and early-20th century might have side closings rather than front flies. We are also not sure what the straps from which the shorts are hung on the hanger were. Source: Wisconsin Historical Scociety.

We note a pair of white cotton piqué shorts worn by an American boy, we think in Wisconsin, during the 1920s. We are not entirely sure about the type of shorts. We at first thought that they were button-on shorts, bit now think that the two buttons visible in the imafe are side closings. Buttons would have come from the short or blouse on button-on shorts and here there is no blouse. And we do not see any additiional button holes. Boys pants in the early 19th and early-20th century might have side closings rather than front flies. There do nopt appear to be any pockets. We are also not sure what the straps from which the shorts are hung on the hanger were. They seem to short to be suspender shorts and not the right materioal. The cotton frabric is piqué, also called 'marcella' (after Marcelles). This is a weave usually done with cotton that has raised parallel cords or fine ribbing. Twilled cotton and corded cotton are similar weaves. We think that the shorts date to the 1910s or 20s, in part because the button at the knee hem, rather like knee pants. A reader writes, "I think the straps are not part of the outfit but that the shorts had a buttonhole inner waistband. The straps are probably recent additions of a ribbon with buttons added and used to hold the pants on a hanger. (this is just a guess.)" Button-on styling is a subject we have not yet dealt with in detail. There may have well beem button-on pants with inner waisttbands, but this is something we can not yet document. But then again it is not cklear how a boy wiould have kept these shorts up without some such device. It would have made dressing a boy rather awkward. Another reader writes, "Yes and that explains why children had so much difficulties dressing that parents helped in the morning. The images I sent you years ago concerning the advertisement piece of no more buttons and Klad Eeze clothes were all about making it easier for children to dress themselves and both showed children ages 2 through 10 (maybe older). So I think the issue was much more prevalent. In one of the "Our Gang" Comedies (silent era) there is a short skit about Joe (the fat kid) struggles with keeping his pants on so he sewed them to his shirt (blouse)."

Created: 10:03 PM 7/21/2011
Last updated: 5:56 AM 7/22/2011