Boys' Historical Uniform Garments: Short Pants--Corduroy Material Characteristics


Figure 1.--This cartoon from the June 1930 issue of "The Scouter" underscores the toughness of Scout cord shorts. The caprtion read "We admit that our artist has exagerated slightly (!!!). We know that small boys do not normally sit on revolving grindstones, but they test our shorts just as thoroughly in other ways. We have done our very upmostto get [text missing] WEAR. Our ??? opinions are after all of more importance than ours. We there- [text missing].

The hard wearing characteristic of good quality corduroy was the principal characteristic that made it such a popular fabric for youth group uniforms from the Wandervogel to Baden Powell's Scouts. Corduroy could take the rough usage in the strenuous outdoor acticities pursued by youth groups. Despite the ability to stand up to rough wear, plush corduroy was also a comfortable fabric. Corduroy was also an easy to launder fabric which undoubtedly appealed to the many moms who did not yet have washing machines. Corduroy, unlike flannel and other wool materials, did not require careful laundry procedures or dry cleaning. It was also a relatively inexpensive fabric. All of these characteristics made it an almost ideal material for uniform shorts. Well made corduroy was a substantial material that provided considerable protection as well as warmth on cool days.

Characteristics

Some of the characteristics which caused youth organizations to so widely use it include the following which made it an almost ideal material for uniform shorts.:

Hardwearing

The hard wearing characteristic of good quality corduroy was the principal characteristic that made it such a popular fabric for youth group uniforms from the Wandervogel to Baden Powell's Scouts. Corduroy could take the rough usage in the strenuous outdoor acticities pursued by youth groups.

Comfort

Despite the ability to stand up to rough wear, plush corduroy was also a comfortable fabric.

Easily laundered

Corduroy was also an easy to launder fabric which undoubtedly appealed to the many moms who did not yet have washing machines. Corduroy, unlike flannel and other wool materials, did not require careful laundry procedures or dry cleaning.

Inexpensive

Corduroy was also a relatively inexpensive fabric. This is why corduroy came to be so widely worn by working-class boys. It was not only hard-wearing, but inexpensive. This is, however, no longer the case. Good quality corduroy hasecome pricy in recent years. This is one of the reasons that ut has lost out to denim among the modern gerneration.

Protection

Well made corduroy was a substantial material that provided considerable protection as well as warmth on cool days.

Testimonials

We have noted some testimonials to cord shorts.

"The shorts you supplied me with are entirely satisfactory and it is a marvelous how you produce such fine quality materials so cheaply. I consider these to be the finest value I have ever seen in this style of cloth. Plymouth [The Scouter, July, 1930.]

"In acknlwledging receipt of the cord shorts, I would like again to thank you fpr your very prompt attention. The shorts represent wonderful value both in material and cut, and I can assure you, I am more [text missing]. Newport [The Scouter, July, 1930.]





Christopher Wagner






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Created: April 6, 2002
Last updated: April 6, 2002