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Saturday 2 July 2022

A Short Look at Short Trousers - and Caps : Sepia Saturday

This week's Sepia Saturday prompt photograph shows three small boys, looking as if they are all set for mischief (see the image at the end of this post). 

The little lad in the middle of the prompt photograph reminded me so much of my brother (below) 

 

This was taken  on holiday in south coast resort of Bournemouth c. 1952 where paddling stream ran through the park,  My mother \always knew to take a change of clothes with us for my brother who inevitably managed to fall in the water at some point.  Seeing he is wearing a jumper, it cannot have been a warm summer.

 
 My brother again , looking very angelic,  in short trousers  bar sandals and short white socks.     I am all dressed up with my hair in ringlets, for  taking part  in Staining  Gala, near Blackpool,. Lancashire,  c. 1950. 


Toward the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, children no longer dressed like tiny adults, but had their own  style of clothes.  But boys were often still dressed in skirts  for their early years.  This photograph c.1910  came from my cousin and is of his father, with the note on the back saying  "Arthur in his first pair  of trousers".

Small boys continued to wear short trousers, with knee length socks whatever the weather.  They did not go into long trousers until the age of around 13-14 - something of a rite of passage which I remember my brother going through c.1960. 


                                              

My husband is the little lad on the bike with his older brother Ian alongside, c.1942

 
My husband enjoying an ice-cream, c.1950  
 

 

My husband's brother  in the cap that was very popular for boys 1930-1950's. I remember my brother wearing this style,featuring the school badge,  as part of his school uniform,  

 More Photos of boys in short trousers, though on these occasions, looking rather serious.

 Harry Rawcliffe Danson, (my Uncle Harry), born 1912 Harry's middle name came from  his grandmother Maria Danson, nee Rawcliffe.  This is a section of a larger family photograph taken in 1916 when his father  William Danson went off to war in Flanders.  24 years later Harry survived the Battle of Dunkirk.  He retained his good dark looks all his life


Jackie Threlfall, of Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire wearing a sailor suit, popular in the early 20th century. Taken by ? Watson, 13 Wellington Terrace, Blackpool.  A photograph from my great aunt Jennie's album.

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Sepia Saturday gives an opportunity for genealogy bloggers 
       to share their family history through photographs.

 

To find out what other bloggers and boys are getting up to this week - click HERE 
 

5 comments:

  1. OH sailor suits! I remember several of my guys wearing them (for just a while) since the father had been in the Coast Guard. These short pants and caps are all adorable.

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  2. I can see why the prompt photo reminded you of your brother! A very fine selection of boys in short pants. I don't know that I have any similar photos from my family. It's worth a look, but none come to mind.

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  3. Great post. It's interesting to see how long this boys' clothing lasted in Britain. I've always thought short trousers made a very practical fashion for growing young boys and certainly were a great economy for large families. Perhaps children's styles were different in America, as by my generation long trousers must have been cheaper as I can remember my grandmother and mother patiently altering trouser hems for both jeans and suit pants.

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  4. great photos!

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