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English readers have provided some information about short trousers during the 2000s. They have increasing been accepted as styling casual wear during the summer. Some schools still use traditional grey short trousers as part of the uniform for younger boys or as part of the summer uniform.
A British reader writes, "Grey school shorts are still worn at some schools as part of required uniforms. Cargo shorts" are quite widely worn by men and boys in recent years. These are probably the most widely worn style alongside football (soccer) shorts. The latter being anything between long baggy shorts giving the appearance of wearing a skirt to shorter less baggy ones. In areas where rugby is popular Rugby shorts are sometimes worn. The most popular being Rugby Union "New Zealand" style which are heavier cotton/drill and usually mid-length on the thigh. Around the areas where Rugby League is popular shorter shiny shorts are worn but possibly because of the length not so often as other styles except when playing matches.
A British reader writes, "It is certainly not uncommon for boys to walk to or from matches in their kit or home from school without changing back into uniform. A few years ago boys would have considered shorts a no no but fashion and a sporty image have popularised them. Interestingly it is not the little kids but older boys who seem to have taken to this. Those into skating remain in cut-offs and baggies." Another reader writes, "I believe that over the past few years shorts have become a far more popular item of clothing in Britain; especially for men and older boys. Much less so for younger boys. I suspect there are several reasons behind this, not
least being that shorts were popularised via the skating scene and basketball to some extent and that without a compulsion that little boys 'will' wear shorts they are no longer seen asa juvenile item of clothing. I'd go so far as to say that if anything they are seen as a teenage/adult item by many. Obviously not counting the a-typical school uniform style!"
A school master writes, "Within the boarding school I last worked for a good majority of the boys in Y10 and above, ie over 15, would often change into lightweight shorts on an
evening when back at house. Most of those in lower years would wear tracksuit bottoms or cargo trousers. Possibly just a local trend (schools can have their own micro-trends!) but I don't believe so in this case as its repeated amongst family and friends children. What was a quite local thing was for a number of the boys, all ages but really only the sporty set, to
prefer to do without a shirt or top when in house. I suspect more subtely a show of masculinity than just comfort! An exception to that being a very small handful who opted for pale pinks and similar coloured shirts or pullovers (quite a preppy look) which did appear to go down rather well with the girls. I've never been a fashionista but the boys would regularly tell me what was what and certainly had a very keen sense of what was in or out or associated with particular types ie music, sports and so on. When I was their age I probably would have struggled to even describe what fashion was!"
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