Based on historical fashion trends and the provided reference, the widespread norm for boys to wear short pants as standard attire, particularly in a schoolboy context, largely declined after the 1960s.
Historical Context
The practice of boys wearing short trousers was a significant fashion trend for several decades. According to the reference:
- Short trousers became the norm for boys in the 1920s.
- Boys typically wore them until the age of about 13.
- This fashion, characterized by the "schoolboy figure in socks and short trousers," remained popular and standard until the 1960s.
This indicates that while individual boys might stop wearing them at varying ages, the era where short pants were the dominant and expected attire for boys up to their early teens, especially in formal or school settings, saw a shift away from this norm following the 1960s.
Key Timeframes
| Period | Significance | Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | Short trousers became the norm for boys. | General boyhood |
| Until ~13 | Typical age for boys to transition away from them. | Specific to age |
| Until 1960s | Fashion remained standard/popular for boys. | Societal fashion |
| Post-1960s | Decline in the norm/fashion of boys wearing them. | Societal fashion |
The Shift in Fashion
The reference highlights that the "schoolboy figure in socks and short trousers" remained in fashion until the 1960s. This suggests that after this decade, the sartorial standards for boys began to change significantly. While boys certainly continued to wear shorts for casual wear, sports, or in hot weather, the widespread expectation or tradition of young boys wearing short trousers as their primary or more formal attire diminished.
- The 1960s marked a turning point where longer trousers became increasingly common for boys at younger ages.
- Cultural and social changes influenced clothing norms, leading to a broader variety of acceptable attire for boys.
In summary, while the age at which an individual boy stopped wearing short pants was typically around 13 during the height of the trend (1920s-1960s), the general societal norm and fashion for boys wearing short trousers as a standard form of dress waned significantly after the 1960s.
