Short Pants Suits: Hosiery and Footwear


Figure 1.--This unidentified boy wears a short pnts suit, we think in the 1950s. He wears white ankle socks. we do not know the country, but think it may have been Germany, Italy, or some other European country. The boy looks to be about 8-9 years old.

The shoes and stockings worn with short pants suits also varried over time and by country. Short pants suits were generally worn with lace up low-cut shoes. This was primrily a chronologival matter. High-top shoes which were common in the late-19th and early-20th century, although this varied somewhat from country to country. We see the transirion from knee panrs to short pants in the 1910s and in the 20s short pants primarily replaced knee pants, although knickers continued to be important in America. High-tops thus were generally passed out of style in the 1920s just as short pants suits were becoming popular. This is bout the same time that short pants were vbecoming increasingly important. we see different styles of shoes worn with short pants in ensuing decades, but they were all low cuts. Generally dark black or brown leather shoes were worn, depending on the color of the suit. We see English boy wearing sandals. White shoes might be worn in the summer. Younger American boys might wear saddle shoes with their short pants suits. Japanese boys commonly wear loafers as well as lace up shoes with short pants suits. Short pants suits were generally worn with socks rather than long stockings. This varied some what by country and chronolgiclly. Some younger boys, however, did wear long stockings with suits for formal occasions or for winter wear. Long stockings were still common seasonally in the 1920s and worb by younger boys in America during the 30s. In Germany and Scandinavia long stockings were still common in the 30s. As long tockings declined in popularity, knee socks became commonly worn with short pants suits. The type of socks varied by country. Knee socks became fairly standard in Europe and common in America. Hosiey not only varied from country to country, but also seasonally. Knee socks were common in England and Germany. French boys commonly wore ankle socks in the summer. American boys oftem wore their short pants suits with both knee socks ankle socks. Ankle socks became more common in the 40s. The declining number of American boys wearing short pants suits in the 1960s, however, often wore knee socks. In addition to the types of hosiery, colpr also varie. Generally mothers attempted to match the color od suits and hosiery. We see boys wearing white knee socks in Germany and France, but rarely in America and England. They wee, however, commonly worn by girls.

Hosiery

Short pants suits were generally worn with socks rather than long stockings. This varied some what by country and chronolgiclly. Some younger boys, however, did wear long stockings with suits for formal occasions or for winter wear. Long stockings were still common seasonally in the 1920s and worb by younger boys in America during the 30s. In Germany and Scandinavia long stockings were still common in the 30s. As long tockings declined in popularity, knee socks became commonly worn with short pants suits. The type of socks varied by country. Knee socks became fairly standard in Europe and common in America. Hosiey not only varied from country to country, but also seasonally. Knee socks were common in England and Germany. French boys commonly wore ankle socks in the summer. American boys oftem wore their short pants suits with both knee socks ankle socks. Ankle socks became more common in the 40s. The declining number of American boys wearing short pants suits in the 1960s, however, often wore knee socks. In addition to the types of hosiery, color also varied. Generally mothers attempted to match the color of suits and hosiery. Colorful argyle socks became popular with knickers in America, but for some reason they were less commonly worn with short pants. We see boys wearing white knee socks in Germany and France, but rarely in America and England. They were, however, commonly worn by girls.

Footwear

Short pants suits were generally worn with lace up low-cut shoes. This was primrily a chronologival matter. High-top shoes which were common in the late-19th and early-20th century, although this varied somewhat from country to country. We see the transirion from knee panrs to short pants in the 1910s and in the 20s after World War I short pants rapidly replaced knee pants, although knickers continued to be very important in America. High-tops were generally passed out of style in the 1920s. We still see them in the early-20s, but not by the end of the decade. There were differences from country to country. This was just as short pants suits were becoming increasingly important. we see different styles of low-cut shoes worn with short pants in ensuing decades, but they were all low cuts. Generally dark black or brown leather shoes were worn, depending primarily on the color of the suit, although many boys might only one pair of dress shoes. We see English boys sometimes wearing sandals. White shoes might be worn in the summer. Younger American boys might wear saddle shoes with their short pants suits--a destinctly American style. Japanese boys might wear loafers as well as lace up shoes with short pants suits which became standard when boys began school. .








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Created: 3:20 AM 1/1/2016
Last edited: 3:20 AM 1/1/2016