Figure 1.--Here we see an unidentified groups we think in the early-1920s. We thought at first it was a school groups, perhaps on a field trip. We are, howevr,not certain. Most American schools were coed. There are other possibilities such as Congressional pages. Notice how knickers were nearly universal. .

Knickers were soon adopted for school-wear at many prestigious English private schools, but were less common in state schools The English state schools was mostly primary schools until after World War II (1940s), by which time knicker were going out of style. Many English boys in the late 19th century and American boys in the early-20th century wore wore knickers to school. Knickers did not become popular in America until the 1910s, especially after World War I (1914-18). They were very widely worn by American schoolboys, more than in any other country. Knickers were virtually universal in America (1920s-30s)..They were commonly worn by the American boys (into the late-1930s), but rapidly declined in popularity (early 1940s). They were not for the most part worn as part of a school uniform, except at a few private schools. Few American schools had uniforms, it is just that knickers were commonly worn by American boys. They were less common in England. While wee see English school boys wearing them (19th century), was less common (20th century). One London school continued to have a knicker uniform into the 1990s. The boys had a choice of knickers or short pants. Knickers were also worn by boys in Europe--usually the older boys. Knickers passed from the fashion seen after World War II. One school in London, however, still uses them as part of the school uniform. The pattern in Europe was for boys to wear short pants, but we see some boys switching to knickers in their teens. Knickers were, however not as common as short or long pants. This seems common throughout Europe, especially Western Europe. This was no primarily for school wear, but just the general fashion for boys. This varied widely from family to family.

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Created: 4:51 AM 7/3/2026
Last updated: 4:51 AM 7/3/2026