Figure 1.--This unidentified Chicago boy was photographed in Chicago during the early 1920s. The studio was Mabel Sykes, a respected photographer. The boy looks to be about 9 years old . He wears a short pants suit with knee socks and high-top shoes. It looks like a corduroy suit.

We do begin to see American boys wearing short pants suits in the early-1920s. They are not nearly as common as knicker suits, but we do see quite a number. HBC notes that short pants suits were still not widely available in the early 1920s. Suits sold in America during 1920 and 1921 were mostly kneepants, knickers and long pants, but I do not believe commonly with short pants. By 1922 and 1923 short pants rapidly replaced knee pants for younger boys. They were often referred to as English-style suits. They were generally available for boys up to about 10 in mass retailers. Better mens' outfitters cattering to affluent clientile might have them in larger styles. Older boys mostly wore knicker suits. Generaly younger boys wore short pants suits in 1929. They were mostly single breasted, although double breasted suits were available. Most were patterened rather than solid color suit. Better suits were wool or wool blends and lined. Colors included brown, blue, and grey. Sizes varied from store to store. They were generally available for boys up to about 10 at mass retailers. Better mens' outfitters cattering to affluent clientile might have them in larger styles. They were still mostly worn with knee socks. As the decade progressed we begin to see ankle socks. And short pants suits became increasingly standard, although knicker suits were more common. Here age and social class were factors in what mother chose. A good example is Ben Davies wearing a white short pants suit.

Additional Information

New style: 1920s

The Party: 1950s

Traveling in Europe: 1960s

British debate: 1960s

Boyhood memories

Created: 6:14 AM 10/4/2009
Last updated: 6:14 AM 10/4/2009