School Uniform Short Trouser Linings: Color and Material


Figure 1.-- Here we see the lining to a pair of David Luke grey school shorts. David Luke was an important British producer of school shorts. As with most school shorts, the lining was white.

Short trousers were originally lined in white cotton. During and just after the war years, linings did not generally form part of the garment. During the 1950s white cotton linings became almost universal. During the 1960s white nylon linings became the norm, though in recent years white cotton has returned. Light blue linings did appear for a while in the 1970s and 1980s. They were mostly Trutex and Jonelle brands. One firm in Scotland does still supply short trousers with grey linings, but this was an anomally. New Zealand winter-weight short trousers followed the same pattern regarding linings as in England, but have in 1998 introduced khaki linings. Here we see the lining to a pair of David Luke grey school shorts. David Like was an important British producer of school shorts. HBC does not understand why school shorts are mainly lined in white, which contrasts with the fabric color whereas skirt linings or linings in mens' trousers are always a similar color to that of the fabric, never a contrasting color.

Chronology

Short trousers were originally lined in white cotton. During and just after the war years, linings did not generally form part of the garment. During the 1950s white cotton linings became almost universal. During the 1960s white nylon linings became the norm, though in recent years white cotton has returned. Light blue linings did appear for a while in the 1970s and 1980s.

Firms

They were mostly Trutex and Jonelle brands. One firm in Scotland does still supply short trousers with grey linings, but this was an anomally.

Country Trends

Our country information is very limited at this time. We believe that British Empire countries tended to follow British trends. Here we see the lining to a pair of David Luke grey school shorts. David Luke was an important British producer of school shorts. New Zealand winter-weight short trousers followed the same pattern regarding linings as in England, but have in 1998 introduced khaki linings.

Fabric

A variery of garments have traditionally been lined. Generally these are jackets and overcoats as well as other better-made clothes, including pants and skirts. This has varied over time. Better-made pants (trousers), for example were often lined before the 1960s. The material commonly used was once silk or satin. In the 20th century we also notice rayon-based satin-like fabrics. Lining pants is much less common today, except for very expensive suits. One garment that has continued to be lined are school short pants, at least shorts made in or for England or other British empire countries. For school shorts, a cotton fabric is commonly used. We also noted blanded cotton-polyester fabrics.

Color

HBC does not understand why school shorts are mainly lined in white, which contrasts with the fabric color whereas skirt linings or linings in mens' trousers are always a similar color to that of the fabric, never a contrasting color. Our HBC reader writes, "I think white has been traditionally used, not only for the lining of short trousers, but also the pocket and waistband linings of long trousers. Another reason why short trousers are lined in a different colour to the fabric could be that jackets are sometimes taken off during the day and as the lining could be seen when the jacket is taken off, then it would be more pleasing to the eye to have the lining in the same colour as that of the fabric of the jacket. Nowadays colour matching of the outer and lining fabrics has become less important. I once saw a red jacket that had a green lining and a navy blue velvet skirt with a silver lining and you can’t get as much of contrast as that." An Australian reader tells us that his son at the St. Peter's School in Adelaide wears grey shorts that have black linings." This seems rather unusual. A British reader tells us that most linings are white, but that on rare occassions that he has seen black linings. Other readers report seeing grey and lihjt-blue linings as well.







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Created: October 5, 2003
Last updated: 7:22 PM 2/7/2008