Figure 1.-- Here we see two American boys in their front yard. The family snapshot is undated. We would guess it was taken in the 1910s, although the early 1920s is possible. We are not sure where the photograph was taken, but would guess the mid-West. The children are unidentified, but look to be about 6 and 10 years old. They seem to be in their Sunday best. The younger boy wears a checked summer suit with matching blouse and knee pants. His blouse has a wide white collar and a decorated breast pocket to match. The older boy wears light colored knee pants with a dress white shirt and light-colored tie. Perhaps they have just come back from Church and are having their photograph taken outside their suburban house with their black spaniel before changing into their play clothes. Both boys wear long black stockings with supporters. The black long stockings are obviously not worn for warmth since it is a warm summer day. Long stockings were simply part of a any boy's dress clothes during this period. They also wear knee pants. The younger boy wears hightop shoes whereas the older boy wears low-cut Oxfords. Click on the image for a fuller discussion.

Boys of all ages war long stockings. We note a wide age range of German boys. The same seems true in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Long stockings seem to have been most common for todlers and school age children, but we also note teenagers wearing them. The age conventions changed over time and from country to country. Age conventions for long stockings varied over time. We note that in the late 19th and early 20th century that quite old boys have worn long stockings with kneepants and knickers, including the older boys in secondary schools. These conventions can get complicated and varied not only over time, but also by other factors such as color. The long stockings boys wore were usually dark stockings. At the time younger boys might wear three-quarter white socks or white long stockings. A good example of this is an English family and how two brothers were dressed about 1900. After World War I (1914-18), long stockings became worn less by older boys, but younger boys continued to wear them. The prevalence of long stockings varied greatly from country to country and age conventions did as well. Virtually all American boys who wore kneepants wore them with long stockings--except when goung barefoot. We note even older teenagers in America wearing knee pants and long stockings. Sears as boys began to increasingly wear long pants narrowed the size ranges for long stockings to sizes up to 10 to 12 years of age. Long stockings were less common in England. In France it was quite common to wear three-quarter length socks with kneepants rather than stockings. This changed in the 1920s when socks became more popular. German boys on the other hand very commonly wore long stockings. We notice in many other countries, including Canada, Poland, Russia, Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe.

Actual Ages

Boys of all ages war long stockings. We note a wide age range of German boys. The same seems true in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Long stockings seem to have been most common for todlers and school age children, but we also note teenagers wearing them. The age conventions changed over time and from country to country.

Chronological Trends

Age conventions for long stockings varied over time. We note that in the late 19th and early 20th century that quite old boys have worn long stockings with kneepants and knickers, including the older boys in secondary schools. These conventions can get complicated and varied not only over time, but also by other factors such as color. The long stockings boys wore were usually dark stockings. At the time younger boys might wear three-quarter white socks or white long stockings. A good example of this is an English family and how two brothers were dressed about 1900. After World War I (1914-18), long stockings became worn less by older boys, but younger boys continued to wear them.

Country Trends

The prevalence of long stockings varied greatly from country to country and age conventions did as well. Virtually all American boys who wore kneepants wore them with long stockings--except when goung barefoot. We note even older teenagers in America wearing knee pants and long stockings. Sears as boys began to increasingly wear long pants narrowed the size ranges for long stockings to sizes up to 10 to 12 years of age. Long stockings were less common in England. In France it was quite common to wear three-quarter length socks with kneepants rather than stockings. This changed in the 1920s when socks became more popular. German boys on the other hand very commonly wore long stockings. We notice a wide range oafes in Germany. We notice in many other countries, including Canada, Poland, Russia, Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe.