Figure 1.--

I grew up in Southern England during the mid 70s late 80s. My parents were what could best be described as "traditionalists". They were both British and traditionalists not just in terms of fashion/clothing but on a whole range of issues. From as early back as I can remember I had bare knees. In my early years this was not a problem, however, as I got older it did become one.

My Early Years

As a toddler and pre-schooler in the early to mid 1970's I primarily was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. My shorts were grey flannel materials except my play shorts. My socks were usually ankle ones unless it was winter. I had a heavy long coat which I wore over my shorts in winter time but sadly that was the only protection my chapped knees ever received.

Primary School

I went to a primary school. I was dressed like in grey shorts cut reasonably tight and reasonably short. I wore a grey shirt, red and green striped tie, grey jumper, grey kneesocks and short shorts about 1inch inside leg I didn't wear a blazer.

I usually wore black leather tie up shoes to school. I only wore sandals, in the summer. Some other boys at primary did wear brown sandals, personally I never liked them, I never remember any of the other boys discussing them.

By primary seven (this would be about 1979) most other children my age (about 11 years old) were wearing long trousers to school. Not all mind you but most. It was at winter and I felt particularly alone My friends said little about it as they were used to me in my shorts at home and school, and as I was quite tall for my age few others did raised an eyebrow.

I don't remember thinking much about clothes as a younger boy and I didn't discuss them with friends. I don't think children, especially boys, were as interested in clothes then as they are now. However, by the time I was 13 shorts were the subject of a few conversations with my friends. They often, initially told me how stupid I looked wearing shorts "at my age", alternatively they explained I appeared to others as 'old fashioned'. I told them that I acutely preferred wearing shorts. I can remember my parents brought me some very brief short shorts (mid-thigh length) from Italy when they came back from holiday. I was made to wear them in the summer and got a few comments from other boys on how short they were.

During winter time they would say "are you feeling cold". Or "you must be freezing" dressed like that.

Scouts

I was in the cubs, and wore a pair of my school shorts along with the rest of the standard cub uniform even in the winter. I can remember that once I wore a pair of black long trousers to cubs in the winter and was told that they weren't part of the uniform and to make sure I didn't were them again grey shorts were to be worn at all times. Even when I went into the scouts I wore shorts all the time.

Home Life

My parents made me stay in shorts until I was 16 I only owned one pair of long trousers which I wore occasionally when the weather became very cold. I only wore shorts with jackets, some blazers, some casual jackets as well. Most of my socks were knee-length, white grey and red. Some of my jackets had hems lower than the bottom of my shorts. God only knows what some must have thought seeing me from behind, they probably thought I didn't have any trousers on at all.

Secondary School

I attended our local secondary at the age of 11 in 1980.

First year

From 1980 I attended the local secondary school. The uniform was a black blazer, white shirt, black and yellow tie, grey socks and grey or black long or short trousers This was where the conflict really began. To my horror, I immediately found that NO OTHER BOYS WORE SHORTS. None that is except me. Yes I was embarrassed, and yes I got hell from my peers. My parents felt that I should keep wearing them as they thought I look nice and smart. My first day was a nightmare, black blazer, tie and grey short shorts, (about mid thigh length 1 inch inside leg) and knee length grey socks. As my dad dropped me off I felt a terrible numbness, feelings of trepidation swept through me. Everywhere I went I was aware of eyes following me, or rather I remember feeling at the time, following my legs.

Second year

Having said that by the start of second year most of the people who knew me had accepted me and attitudes started to change. Of course the first years I had a right laugh. Now this will sound strange but by now I was almost 13 and going through adolescence. I found it increasingly embarrassing to still have to wear shorts. All though I actually preferred shorts to long trousers because you didn't get hot and sweaty in the summer.

Traveling

I remember travelling to London with the scouts and still wearing shorts at 15. Where ever I went I would be starred at. Especially on the train travelling to London I remember sitting down, as my shorts were short when I sat down they seemed to travel up my leg even farther. I remember feeling like a little school boy. The people tried to be polite and not look to much, but I felt very embarrassed I knew from the corner of my eye they were continually glancing down at my shorts glancing a look at each other and then half smirking as if to say "I cant believe this kid is wearing shorts at 15".

I can remember when ever I would be driven in the car by dad. I still have vivid memories of these trips--especially on cold mornings. I remember the cold plastic vinyl sticking to the back of my bare legs. And in the summer when I would go to sit down I would always jump up in pain because the Vinyl was boiling hot that it would burn the back of my legs.

Discussions with My Parents

My parents explain that they thought I should wear shorts because I look better in them. I suppose the motives are not far removed from the reasons other parents have in the past. And of course the "aw doesn't he look cute" syndrome that only a mother could have when her son is dressed, well, cutely.

Longs at Last

The last time I wore shorts to school was in 1984 when I was 16, I had started to wear long trousers at winter and had done for about 6 months. I still wore shorts to school when the weather was good and in the summer. I was 15 and a half it was October and I had a discussion with my parents if discussion is the right word, where the issue of shorts was discussed. This was their deathknell--after this I became "normal"--but up until I left school my nickname remained "shortie".

Matthew

Related Links: Careful this will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but both sites are highly recommended

Apertures Press International Project: Pictures at schools in different countries and a book on British schools
Apertures Pres New Zealand E-book: New book on New Zealand schools available
School Uniform Web Site: Informative review of British school uniforms with some excellent photographs
Boys' Preparatory Schools: Photographic essay available on British preparatory school during the 1980s