Shorts

Last updated

Two people wearing shorts (Argentina, 2011) MARIANA DE MELO.JPG
Two people wearing shorts (Argentina, 2011)

Shorts are a garment worn over the pelvic area, circling the waist and splitting to cover the upper part of the legs, sometimes extending down to the knees but not covering the entire length of the leg. They are called "shorts" because they are a shortened version of trousers, which cover the entire leg, but not the foot. Shorts are typically worn in warm weather or in an environment where comfort and airflow are more important than the protection of the legs.

Contents

There are a variety of shorts, ranging from knee-length short trousers that can in some situations be worn as formal clothes to beachwear and athletic shorts. Some types of shorts are typically worn by women, such as culottes, which are a divided skirt resembling a pair of loose-cut shorts.

Terminological differences

The British English term, short trousers, is used, only for shorts that are a short version of ordinary trousers (i.e., pants or slacks in American English). For example: tailored shorts, often lined, as typically worn as part of a school uniform for boys up to their early teens, [1] [2] [3] and by servicemen and policemen in tropical climates. Shorts, used unqualified in British English, refers to sports shorts, athletic shorts, or casual shorts; the last nowadays commonplace in warm weather in the UK. Shorts are also known as "half pants" in India.

The dated American English term, short pants , is probably the nearest equivalent in the U.S., where they might now be called dress shorts, a term that has not gained much currency in Britain.

A somewhat similar garment worn by men in Australia is called stubbies .

The term, boxer shorts , is an American coinage for a particular kind of men's underwear, and is now also common in Britain. However, boxer shorts are often referred to merely as boxers in the USA. Moreover, whereas the American English usage of the word pants refers to outerwear (i.e., trousers in British English), the usage of pants in British English refers to the garment worn under one's trousers, such as boxers; such a garment, however, is referred to as underpants in American English (note the qualification of the word pants by the word under). Alongside the term boxer shorts, undershorts or simply shorts were synonyms for underpants during the time of this coinage; while jockey shorts was a synonym for men's briefs.

Sociology

Europe and America

Leaders welcoming boy into Mexico Scouting.jpg
Prostitute tj.jpg
Two photos of Mexico: Boy Scouts (left) and woman (right) wearing different types of shorts

In much of Europe and the Americas during the 19th and early 20th centuries, shorts were worn as outerwear only by young boys until they reached a certain height or maturity. When boys got older, typically around puberty, they would receive their first pair of long trousers. This produced the perception that shorts were only for young boys. Because of this, men would not wear shorts to avoid looking immature, even when the weather was hot. Women tended not to wear shorts in most cultures, due to social mores: they were expected to wear dresses, or skirts and blouses.

In the 1890s, knee pants (an early type of short pants) became the standard wear for American boys. Many urban school portraits from the 1890s show all but the oldest boys wearing knee pants. [4] North American boys normally wore knee pants with short stockings. [5] This began to change after the 1900s when North American boys began wearing knickerbockers during the winter, while short pants became more popular in Europe. In the 1930s, shorts started to be worn for casual comfort (e.g. outdoor and athletic activities) by both men and women. However, it was still taboo to wear shorts outside of certain activities.

Since about the time of World War II, when many soldiers served in tropical locations, adult men have worn shorts more often, especially in summer weather, but the perception of shorts as being only for young boys took several decades to change, and to some extent still exists in certain circles. By the late 20th century it had become more common for men to wear shorts as casual wear in summer, but much less so in cooler seasons.[ citation needed ]

Asia

Shorts are not traditional clothing in Asian countries. International trade and fashion trends has contributed in bringing shorts to the East. They were first treated like taboo in countries like China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam because they conflicted with old traditions that women have to cover their body private parts and worries about sexual harassment.

As time goes by, shorts are slowly accepted by people, especially the youths.

Shorts are favored by young girls in Asia Girl Jeans.jpg
Shorts are favored by young girls in Asia

Now in Asia, wearing shorts are considered young, active, and energetic. They are symbol of freedom from old rules and helped promote gender equality.

Worldwide

Adults are also commonly seen wearing shorts, but wearing shorts is less common among women in traditional eastern countries than in the West although that varies widely by region. Women more often wear shorts in large cosmopolitan cities. In some countries, adult women can be seen wearing loose-fitting shorts that end at or just below the knee, as these are seen as sufficiently modest. [6]

In many countries, there are still many settings in which wearing shorts would not be acceptable, as they are considered too casual. Notable exceptions in which men may wear short trousers to the office or at formal gatherings are South Africa, Bermuda, Australia and New Zealand [ citation needed ]. Since the 1990s, casual office dress has grown to include formal shorts in some British and American businesses but by no means universally.

Styles

ImageNameDescription
Brazil vs. Chile in Mineirao 05.jpg BaggiesLoose-fitting shorts which reach the knees. This particular style has been associated with football kit and similar sports since 1904, when the Football Association of England dropped its rule requiring players cover their knees. [7] Loose-fitting longer shorts rapidly replaced the former knickerbockers. [7] Until the 1960s, footballers referred to these garments as "knickers", but after the 1960s, the term "shorts" entered standard usage. [7] During the 1970s and 1980s, much shorter shorts became standard wear for footballers, but following the adoption of longer shorts by Tottenham Hotspur F.C. for a match on 18 May 1991, despite initial mockery, the longer length became more widely worn again. [8] A popular nickname for West Bromwich Albion football club since the early 1900s has been the "Baggies". This is sometimes assumed to be in reference to the players' shorts, although there are multiple alternative explanations. [9] [10]

"Baggies" is also an alternative term for boardshorts (see below). [11] [12]

Claude Froidevaux (1990) by Erling Mandelmann.jpg Bermuda shorts
Man in bermuda shorts Yellow Bermuda shorts.jpg
Man in bermuda shorts
Woman in bermuda shorts, 1952 StateLibQld 1 199919 Young woman modelling a short pantsuit, Brisbane, 1952.jpg
Woman in bermuda shorts, 1952

Short trousers, terminating three to four inches above the knee, commonly worn by men in Bermuda (with knee-socks and a blazer and tie) for business attire and even at cocktail parties. [13] [14] They are available in a wide range of colors, ranging from conservative grey and navy, to brighter hues such as orange, green and pink. [14] Despite their name, they are not of Bermudian origin, but were originally designed around 1900 for military wear by the British armed forces in tropical climates. [14] From the 1920s onwards these military uniform shorts began to be copied by Bermudian tailors and civilians, and were subsequently taken up by tourists who spread the style around the world. [14] The tourists who appropriated the style wore Bermuda shorts almost exclusively as casual wear. [14]

In the early 1990s Bermuda shorts became accepted in France as a fashionable option for women, although since the 1930s they had been increasingly established as an option for American women's fashionable sportswear. [15] [16] In America, despite widespread criticism, Bermuda shorts were taken up by male and female students on college campuses from the 1920s and 1930s onwards, and by the 1950s, were widely worn. [16] In early 21st century America, women's Bermuda shorts are known as "city shorts", and are usually knee-length, resembling a pencil skirt. [14]

Beach boy summer time 2009.jpg Boardshorts Boardshorts are a form of long, loose-fitting shorts specifically designed for beachwear and aquatic sports. They may also be described as "baggies" (see above) or "jams". [11] [12] As "surf trunks" they first emerged in Hawaii in the 1950s, distinguished by their construction which included fly fastenings and secure pockets with sealable flaps. [17] These early surf trunks were made from cotton, although quick-drying synthetics such as nylon and neoprene quickly found favour with wearers. [17] They were made knee-length in order to protect the surfer's legs from sticking to the wax on their surfboard. [17]

In 1970 the company Quiksilver offered a highly successful boardshort design that rapidly gained a reputation among surfers as the best to be had. [18] They would later pioneer a line of boardshorts specifically designed for the female wearer. [12] Other leading boardshort manufacturers include Billabong and Rip Curl. [12]

By 2010, the boardshort was widely worn as a fashionable garment beyond the beach, including as clubwear and in schools. [17] In the early 21st century, polyester is increasingly used, often blended with other fibres such as Lycra, elastane, or spandex, creating an ultrasuede effect. [19]

BoxerShorts-20070901.jpg Boxer shorts
Wrestler John Quinlan in boxing shorts (2010) John Quinlan In Raja Boxing.jpg
Wrestler John Quinlan in boxing shorts (2010)

Elastic-waisted soft fabric shorts usually worn as underwear, but originally designed for wear by boxing participants. In their current form "boxers" were introduced in 1925 by Jacob Golomb (founder of the sports equipment and clothing company Everlast) as an alternative to the leather-belted trunks that boxers typically wore. [20] They subsequently became an alternative to long underwear as well. [21] Men's boxers as undergarments began to be presented in novelty prints and patterns from the late 1950s onwards. [22] During the 1980s and 1990s women began to wear boxer shorts paired with T-shirts as loungewear or sleepwear. [23] Boxer briefs, which emerged in the 1990s, are an underwear-specific variation on boxer shorts, but made from elastic knit fabric for a snug fit. [24]

Woman In Boyshorts.jpg Boyshorts Boyshorts (or boy shorts) are a form of women's underwear that first emerged in the 1990s, closely resembling abbreviated hotpants (see below). [25] They are cut with wide sides and a low rise, reducing the risk of visible panty line. [26] Boyshorts are increasingly being worn as outerwear in sporting contexts, such as by Serena Williams on the tennis court, [25] or by female athletes and runners as an alternative to "bun-huggers" (see below). [27]
Womens beach volleyball.jpg Bun huggers Bun-huggers is a popular name for very brief, tight unisex athletic shorts, also known as "racing briefs". They have been compared to bikini bottoms. [27] [28] In 2008 it was noted that the International Volleyball Federation used to require that female volleyball players wear such garments while playing. [28] [29] A study made by the Women's Sports Foundation commented that making such garments compulsory for women athletes was "venturing into the arena of athlete exploitation". [29] Since the mid-2000s such garments are increasingly being replaced by boyshorts (see above) which offer increased coverage and security to their wearers. [27]
Man wearing a green T-shirt and cargo shorts (cropped).jpg Cargo shorts Cargo shorts are an abbreviated version of cargo pants, typically around knee-length, with multiple pockets that are typically stitched to the outside sides of the legs. In 1980 cargo shorts were marketed as ideal for the sportsman or fisherman, with the pocket flaps ensuring that pocket contents were secure and unlikely to fall out. [30] By the mid-to-late 1990s cargo shorts found popularity among mainstream men's fashion. [31] In 2012, Tim Gunn observed that while the pockets were undeniably useful for carrying things for work or other everyday tools, cargo shorts were more practical than elegant. [32]
Culotte skirt and interior view.jpg Culottes Culottes were introduced in the mid-20th century as an abbreviated version of the late-nineteenth century divided skirt intended for horse- and bicycle-riding. Although called culotte skirts, they are basically full shorts constructed to hide their division. [33] Since the mid-20th century culottes have been increasingly offered as an alternative to skirts in women's uniforms, for instance in the Vietnam War when female Red Cross workers found their uniform skirts impractical around helicopters. [34]
Man wearing cutoffs.jpg Cut-offsAlso called "cutoffs". A generic term for trousers where the legs have been cut off mid-way. The concept has been around since the 1930s when shorts began to be acceptable wear outside the sports field. [16] During the 1960s and 1970s the concept of deliberately cutting off the legs of jeans, allowing the raw edge to fray, along with other means of customising them, took hold as part of Western youth culture. [35] Whilst cut-offs can be home-made from existing jeans, ready-made cut-offs are also commercially retailed. [36] Extremely short denim cut-offs are known as "Daisy Dukes" (see below). [37]
Cycling shorts (cropped from Cycling Ascent.jpg).jpg Cycling shorts
Bib shorts Cycling bib shorts front.jpg
Bib shorts
Cycling shorts are skin-tight long shorts specifically designed for wear by cyclists to reduce chafing. While often elastic-waisted, a popular alternative style with integral suspenders, more comfortable in the longer term for serious cyclists, is called bib shorts. [38] They are designed to fit the posture of a cyclist bent over in the racing position, cut longer in the back than in the front to guarantee full coverage. [39] Since the 1980s, such garments are increasingly designed to take into account the difference between male and female bodies, as women's shorts require a longer waist-to-crotch measurement. [39]

Since the 1980s, 'bike shorts' have also been worn as fashion garments, although these versions often lack the internal padding and construction required by cyclists. [40] [41]

Catherine Bach as Daisy Duke for The Dukes of Hazzard.jpg Daisy Dukes An extremely short version of denim cut-offs (see above), popularly known as "Daisy Dukes" in reference to Catherine Bach's character of that name from the American television show The Dukes of Hazzard . [37] They are a form of hot pants or short shorts (see below), typically worn by women (see below).
Young man wearing jorts (denim shorts) (cropped).jpg Denim shorts orJortsDenim shorts are worn by all genders. They can also be called "jorts", a portmanteau of "jeans" and "shorts", although this term is arguably limited to knee-length baggy styles. [42] [43]

However, the term can describe many styles of shorts made from denim, [42] such as cut-offs (see above) or Daisy Dukes (see above). [37] The term "jorts", defined simply as denim shorts, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013. [44]

Hooters Calendar Girl Melissa Poe.jpg Dolphin shorts A specific style of gym shorts, very short, originally made from nylon with contrasting binding, side slits, and rounded corners, popular in the 1980s. [45] [46] The name is a corruption of Dolfin, the American company that first produced the original running shorts in the 1980s. [46] One high-profile wearer of 'dolphin shorts' is the fitness guru Richard Simmons, who in 2012, boasted of owning 400 pairs of vintage Dolfins. [47] In 2012, it was reported that orange Dolfin shorts are specified as part of the uniform for waitresses at Hooters. [48]
US Navy 041110-N-0413R-001 Machinist Mate 3rd Class Lorne Semrau of Harrisburg, Pa., keeps in shape while underway by working out one of the many treadmills aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).jpg Gym shorts A generic term for shorts specifically designed for sportswear.
Bebe Hot Pants 01 2008.jpg Hotpants orHot pantsThe term "hot pants" appeared around 1970 as a description for extremely short shorts, made in luxury fabrics such as velvet and silk, emphasising their role as fashion garments rather than practical wear. [49] [50] In 1976, Eleanor Lambert noted that the term "hot pants" had been coined by Women's Wear Daily to describe fashions innovated by the French ready-to-wear company Dorothée Bis. [51] Lambert also credits Mariuccia Mandelli of the Italian fashion label Krizia with designing the first "hot pants" in 1970. [51] Hotpants are also increasingly credited to Mary Quant. [52] [53]

While the term "hotpants" is used generically to describe short shorts (see below) made in any material, similar garments had been worn since the 1930s. [54] Very short men's shorts may also be occasionally called hotpants. [54]

Knopflatz Lederhose ca. 1940 cropped.jpg Lederhosen Leather shorts, often worn with matching suspenders connected by a chest band, traditionally associated with Bavaria, Germany; and countries formerly part of the Tyrol region and Austria-Hungary. [55]
Turnhosen wiki.jpg Running shorts
Trail running shorts Trail runner at the Ullswater Trail Race 2011.jpg
Trail running shorts
A form of gym shorts designed specifically for running. They are typically lightweight, very short and split at the side (to enable freedom of leg movement), with an inbuilt briefs lining. [56] Nylon is a popular fabric for running shorts as it is lightweight, quick-drying and hard-wearing. [57] Nylon running shorts first appeared in the 1970s, and despite initial resistance among men to wearing such soft, lightweight garments that felt like lingerie, nylon shorts rapidly became popular. [39] An even shorter version of the running short, typically worn by triathlon participants, is called a tri-short. [39] Dolphin shorts (see above) are a popular variation on running shorts. [45]

Trail running shorts are typically made longer and in harder-wearing fabric that is less likely to catch and tear on protruding branches. [58]

Schoolshorts1.jpg School shortsShorts designed specifically to be worn as part of a school uniform. These are traditionally made in the same manner as fully tailored trousers, with belt loops, pockets, fly fastenings, and a lining, but cut to shorts length. [59] Originally, wool flannel was used, as in long trousers, but nowadays these short trousers are more usually made from synthetic blend fabrics. [59]

The traditional grey flannel shorts associated with British school uniform had become well-established by the 1920s, when they were knee-length or just above knee-length. [60] [61] Up until the 1950s school shorts were also described as 'knickers' in tailoring catalogues and jargon. [62] This term possibly originated as an abbreviation of knickerbockers, which began being worn by schoolboys for sports in the 1880s. [63] As the term 'knickers' had become synonymous with panties in the 20th century, it was rarely used colloquially for shorts. By 2004, a study of British private schools noted that traditional grey school shorts had become denoters of private or public school uniform, as they were no longer required wear by state schools. [64] Similar tailored shorts form part of school uniform in a number of countries, including Australia, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand, [59] and are also part of the uniform worn by children in organisations such as the Cub Scouts.

Model ready to hit the runway (IMG 7651a) (5459400817).jpg Short shorts
Posing in short shorts, 1945 Snapshot. Eleanor and Lorraine BAnQ P48S1P12496 - cropped and straightened.jpg
Posing in short shorts, 1945
Short shorts, as their name implies, are shorter than average. Such garments had been known since the 1930s when female Hollywood stars wore them for publicity photographs, [54] and in New York City, a by-law (repealed 1942) was passed banning women from wearing them. [65] They were principally worn for sports and active purposes, such as cycling. [66] Shorts that terminated at the upper thigh became increasingly popular as informal leisurewear and sporting attire throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s for both men and women. [67] In the early 1970s short shorts began to be made in fashion fabrics, in which form they became known as hotpants (see above), a term popularised by Women's Wear Daily. [49] [51] [54] The terms hotpants and short shorts have since become interchangeable. [54]
ZGolfSensation.JPG Skort
White skort.jpg
Skort (a portmanteau of "skirt" and "shorts") are made with a flap of fabric in front that creates the illusion of their being a skirt from the front. [68] They are often worn for sport and active pursuits. [68] When the skort was first introduced in America in the late 1950s it described a pair of shorts with an attached pleated overskirt. [69]
Tailored shortsTailored shorts are more structured and fitted. Usually to achieve a more sophisticated look. Since 2020 they've become popular with women and often part of 2 piece shorts sets.
Zip off shorts or convertible trousers.jpg Zip-offs or Convertible Shorts/Pants/TrousersLong pants which zip off at the knee, allowing the wearer to vary the length of their trouser leg at wish. Often recommended for hiking or walking, zip-offs have been around since the 1980s. [70] They are also suited to fishermen, as longer pants can easily be converted to wading-length shorts. [71]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skirt</span> Clothing worn from the waist or hips

A skirt is the lower part of a dress or a separate outer garment that covers a person from the waist downwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overalls</span> Protective clothing

Overalls or bib-and-brace overalls, also called dungarees in British English, are a type of garment usually used as protective clothing when working. The garments are commonly referred to as a "pair of overalls" by analogy with "pair of trousers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leggings</span> Several types of leg coverings

Leggings are several types of leg attire that have varied through the years. Modern usage from the 1960s onwards has come to refer to elastic close-fitting high-rise garments worn over the legs typically by women, such as leg warmers or tights. Usage from the 18th century refers to men's wear usually made of cloth or leather that is wrapped around the leg down to the ankle. In the 19th century, leggings usually referred to infants' leg clothing that were matched with a jacket, as well as leg-wrappings made of leather or wool and worn by soldiers and trappers. Leggings prominently returned to women's fashion in the 1960s, drawing from the form-fitting clothing of dancers. With the widespread adoption of the synthetic fibre Lycra and the rise in popularity of aerobics, leggings came to further prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, and eventually made their way into streetwear. Leggings are a part of the late 2010s into the 2020s athleisure fashion trend of wearing activewear outside sporting activities and in casual settings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breeches</span> Clothing with coverings for each leg

Breeches are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Formerly a standard item of Western men's clothing, they had fallen out of use by the mid-19th century in favour of trousers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culottes</span> Womans split skirt; earlier, breeches or knickers

Culottes are an item of clothing worn on the lower half of the body. The term can refer to either split skirts, historical men's breeches, or women's underpants; this is an example of fashion-industry words taken from designs across history, languages and cultures, then being used to describe different garments, often creating confusion among historians and readers. The French word culotte is panties, pants, knickers, trousers, shorts, or (historically) breeches; derived from the French word culot, meaning the lower half of a thing, the lower garment in this case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloomers</span> Type of womens garment

Bloomers, also called the bloomer, the Turkish dress, the American dress, or simply reform dress, are divided women's garments for the lower body. They were developed in the 19th century as a healthful and comfortable alternative to the heavy, constricting dresses worn by American women. They take their name from their best-known advocate, the women's rights activist Amelia Bloomer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotpants</span> Short, tight shorts

Hotpants or hot pants are extremely short shorts. The term was first used by Women's Wear Daily in 1970 to describe shorts made in luxury fabrics such as velvet and satin for fashionable wear, rather than their more practical equivalents that had been worn for sports or leisure since the 1930s. Hotpants are worn above the knees around the thigh area. The term has since become a generic term for any pair of extremely short shorts. While hotpants were briefly a very popular element of mainstream fashion in the early 1970s, by the mid-1970s they had become associated with the sex industry, which contributed to their fall from fashion. However, hotpants continued to be popular as clubwear well into the 2010s and are often worn within the entertainment industry, particularly as part of cheerleader costumes or for dancers. Performers such as Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue have famously worn hotpants as part of their public performances and presentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990s in fashion</span> Costume and fashion of the 1990s

Fashion in the 1990s was defined by a return to minimalist fashion, in contrast to the more elaborate and flashy trends of the 1980s. One notable shift was the mainstream adoption of tattoos, body piercings aside from ear piercing and, to a much lesser extent, other forms of body modification such as branding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cargo pants</span> Loosely cut trousers

Cargo pants or cargo trousers, also sometimes called combat pants or combat trousers after their original purpose as military workwear, are loosely cut pants originally designed for rough work environments and outdoor activities, distinguished by numerous large utility pockets for carrying tools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980s in fashion</span> Costume and fashion in the 1980s

Fashion of the 1980s was characterized by a rejection of 1970s fashion. Punk fashion began as a reaction against both the hippie movement of the past decades and the materialist values of the current decade. The first half of the decade was relatively tame in comparison to the second half, which was when apparel became very bright and vivid in appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bermuda shorts</span> Knee-length walking shorts for men or women

Bermuda shorts, also known as walk shorts or dress shorts, are a particular type of short trousers, worn as semi-casual attire by both men and women. The hem, which can be cuffed or un-cuffed, is around 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the knee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1945–1960 in Western fashion</span> Costume and fashion in the post-war years 1945-1960

Fashion in the years following World War II is characterized by the resurgence of haute couture after the austerity of the war years. Square shoulders and short skirts were replaced by the soft femininity of Christian Dior's "New Look" silhouette, with its sweeping longer skirts, fitted waist, and rounded shoulders, which in turn gave way to an unfitted, structural look in the later 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knickerbockers (clothing)</span> Baggy-kneed breeches popular in the early 20th-century

Knickerbockers are a form of baggy-kneed breeches, particularly popular in the early 20th-century United States. Golfers' plus twos and plus fours are similar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Men's skirts</span> Skirt-like garments worn by men and boys

Outside Western cultures, men's clothing commonly includes skirts and skirt-like garments; however, in the Americas and much of Europe, skirts are usually seen as feminine clothing and socially stigmatized for men and boys to wear, despite having done so for centuries. While there are exceptions, most notably the cassock and the kilt, these are not really considered 'skirts' in the typical sense of fashion wear; rather they are worn as cultural and vocational garments. People have variously attempted to promote the fashionable wearing of skirts by men in Western culture and to do away with this gender distinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivy League (clothes)</span> Style of 1950s northeastern USA fashion

Ivy League is a style of men's dress, popular during the late 1950s in the Northeastern United States, and said to have originated on college campuses, particularly those of the Ivy League. It was the predecessor to the preppy style of dress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trousers as women's clothing</span>

Trousers or pants are a staple of historical and modern fashion. Throughout history, the role of trousers is a constant change for women. The first appearance of trousers in recorded history is among nomadic steppe-people in Western Europe. Steppe people were a group of nomads of various different ethnic groups that lived in the Eurasian grasslands. Archaeological evidence suggests that men and women alike wore trousers in that cultural context. However, for much of modern history, the use of trousers has been restricted to men. This norm was enforced in many regions due to social customs and laws. There are, however, many historical cases of women wearing trousers in defiance of these norms such as the 1850s women rights movement, comfort, freedom of movement, fashion, disguise, attempts to evade the gender pay gap, and attempts to establish an empowered public identity for women. Especially in the 20th and 21st centuries, the customs and laws restricting this manner of dress have relaxed dramatically, reflecting a growing acceptance and normalisation of the practice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trousers</span> Clothing for the legs and lower body

Trousers, slacks, or pants are an item of clothing worn from the waist to anywhere between the knees and the ankles, covering both legs separately. In the United Kingdom, the word pants generally means underwear and not trousers. Shorts are similar to trousers, but with legs that come down only to around the area of the knee, higher or lower depending on the style of the garment. To distinguish them from shorts, trousers may be called "long trousers" in certain contexts such as school uniform, where tailored shorts may be called "short trousers" in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-rise (fashion)</span> Clothing which sits low on or below the hips

Low-rise is a style of clothing designed to sit low on, or below, the hips. The style can also be called lowcut, hipster, or hip-hugger. and can apply to garments worn by males or females. The term can be applied to all garments that cover the wearer's crotch area, including trousers, jeans, shorts, skirts, panties, briefs, bikinis, pantyhose, and tights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fashion and clothing in the Philippines</span> Fashion and folk costume of the Philippines

Fashion and clothing in the Philippines refers to the way the people of the Philippine society generally dress up at home, at work, travelling and during special occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanku</span> Chinese outfit composed of a top and trousers

Shanku is a generic term which refers to a two-piece set of attire in Hanfu, which is typically composed of a youren yi, a Chinese upper garment which typically overlaps and closes on the right side which could be called shan, ru, ao, and a pair of long trousers ku. As a form of daily attire, the shanku was mainly worn by people from lower social status in China, such as labourers, shopkeepers, or retainers from wealthy household. The shanku was originally worn by both genders. Up until the mid-20th century, it was popular in China and outside of China where it was worn by overseas Chinese in countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Suriname, etc. It is still worn in present-day China and can be found in rural areas.

References

  1. "Short trousers". Oxford Dictionary. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013.
  2. "Short trousers for boys". BBC History.
  3. "People past and present". Durham County Council Archives. 11 February 2010.
  4. U.S. School Clothes: Individual Schools--The 1890s at Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Pages.
  5. North America Boys Garments: Pants--Knee Pants at Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Pages.
  6. When wearing shorts was taboo in USA -by www.npr.org
  7. 1 2 3 Davies, Hunter. "Chapter 3. Equipment: Bring on the Balls". Boots, Balls and Haircuts: An Illustrated History of Football from Then to Now. p. 51.
  8. "English FA Cup Finalists 1990–1999". HistoricalFootballKits.co.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  9. "Why are we called The Baggies?". BOING. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  10. McOwan, Gavin (2002). The Essential History of West Bromwich Albion. Headline. pp. 38–40. ISBN   0-7553-1146-9.
  11. 1 2 Maurer, Tracy Nelson (2003). Surfing . Vero Beach, Fla.: Rourke Pub. p.  21. ISBN   9781589522800.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Schmidt, Christine (2012). The swimsuit : fashion from poolside to catwalk. London: Berg. pp. 159–160. ISBN   9780857851253.
  13. Purcell, Carl; Purcell, Ann (1991). Zenfell, Martha Ellen (ed.). Bermuda: Volume 217 of the Insight Guides. Apa Publications. p. 190.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Forbes, Keith Archibald. "Bermuda Shorts". Bermuda Online. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  15. Green, Nancy L. (1997). "Bermuda Shorts in Comparative Perspective". Ready-to-wear and ready-to-work : a century of industry and immigrants in Paris and New York. Durham: Duke University Press. pp.  105–135. ISBN   9780822318743.
  16. 1 2 3 Clemente, Deirdre (2014). "In the Gym". Dress casual : how college students redefined American style. UNC Press Books. pp. 116–121. ISBN   9781469614076.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Moran, Malie; Pohlmann, Attila; Reilly, Andrew (2014). Honolulu street style. Bristol: Intellect. pp. 61–62. ISBN   9781783203079.
  18. Everist, Richard (2009). The complete guide to the Great Ocean Road : walks, beaches, heritage, ecology, towns and sustainable tourism through southwest Victoria. Torquay, Vic.: Best Shot!. p. 99. ISBN   9780975602348.
  19. Staff writer. "The best boardshorts for surfers in the world". SurferToday.com. www.surfertoday.com. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  20. Kroessler, Jeffrey A. (2010). The greater New York sports chronology. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 100. ISBN   9780231518277.
  21. Riess, Steven A. (2015). Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 257. ISBN   9781317459477.
  22. Werlin, Katy (2015). "Men's Dress and Fashion 1946-1960". In Blanco F., José; Hunt-Hurst, Patricia Kay; Lee, Heather Vaughan; et al. (eds.). Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe. ABC-CLIO. p. 199. ISBN   9781610693103.
  23. Blanco F., José; Hunt-Hurst, Patricia Kay; Lee, Heather Vaughan; et al., eds. (2015). "Underwear, 1980-Present". Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe. ABC-CLIO. p. 199. ISBN   9781610693103.
  24. Cole, Shaun (2012). The Story of Men's Underwear. New York: Parkstone International. p. 118. ISBN   9781780428826.
  25. 1 2 Stalder, Erika (2008). Fashion 101 a crash course in clothing. San Francisco, CA: Zest Books. p. 110. ISBN   9780547946931.
  26. Apsan, Rebecca; Stark, Sarah (2012). Lessons in lingerie finding your perfect shade of seduction. New York: Workman Publishing. p. 87. ISBN   9780761175018.
  27. 1 2 3 Gerweck, Jim (May 2007). "Going Any Length: The Long & Short of Running Shorts". Running Times: 46–48.
  28. 1 2 Oppliger, Patrice A. (2008). Girls Gone Skank: The Sexualization of Girls in American Culture. McFarland. p. 183. ISBN   9780786486502.
  29. 1 2 "Bun Huggers: To Wear or Not to Wear". Women's Sports Foundation. 2006.[ dead link ] Cited in Oppliger.
  30. Paulson, F. M. (March 1980). "Boating: What's New on the Waterfront". Field & Stream: 90.
  31. Hong, Nicole Nice Cargo Shorts! You’re Sleeping on the Sofa Wall Street Journal. 3 August 2016
  32. Gunn, Tim; Calhoun, Ada (2012). Tim Gunn's fashion bible : the fascinating history of everything in your closet . New York: Gallery Books. p.  96. ISBN   9781451643862.
  33. Yarwood, Doreen (2011). Illustrated encyclopedia of world costume. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications, Inc. p. 376. ISBN   9780486433806.
  34. Koureas, Gabriel (2012). "Militarization, Sexuality, and Red Cross Donut Dollies in the Vietnam War". In Carden-Coyne, Ana (ed.). Gender and Conflict Since 1914: Historical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 145. ISBN   9781137030276.
  35. Regan, C. (2015). "Role of denim and jeans in the fashion industry". In Paul, Roshan (ed.). Denim: Manufacture, Finishing and Applications. Elsevier. pp. 203–204. ISBN   9780857098498.
  36. Aiglon, Kelly (5 July 2007). "The long and short of cutoff jeans". The Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  37. 1 2 3 "Catherine Bach Defends the Dukes". Beaver County Times. Beaver, PA. UPI. 11 October 1981. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  38. Cross, Kim (24 July 2013). "How to Buy Bib Shorts". Bicycling . Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  39. 1 2 3 4 Goodman, Susan (24 April 1989). "Active Wear". New York Magazine. pp. 113–115. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  40. Gunn, Tim; Calhoun, Ada (2012). Tim Gunn's fashion bible : the fascinating history of everything in your closet (1st Gallery Books hardcover ed.). New York: Gallery Books. p.  209. ISBN   9781451643862.
  41. Armijo, Vic (1999). The complete idiot's guide to cycling (1st ed.). New York, N.Y.: Alpha Books. ISBN   9781101198728.
  42. 1 2 Lefler, Anna (2011). The chicktionary from A-line to Z-snap, the words every woman should know. Avon, Mass.: Adams Media. p. 106. ISBN   9781440531231.
  43. Kovanis, Georgea (27 May 2015). "On Style: Jorts: Tacky, or trendy or both?". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  44. Price, Leslie (28 August 2013). "Oxford English Dictionary Adds Flatforms, Jorts, Double Denim". Racked.com. Vox Media. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  45. 1 2 Mansour, David (2005). From Abba to Zoom a pop culture encyclopedia of the late 20th century. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Pub. p. 126. ISBN   9780740793073.
  46. 1 2 Negley, Erin (8 September 2015). "Which 'Wet Hot American Summer' outfit is made in Pennsylvania Dutch country?". Lancaster Online. LNP Media Group . Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  47. McGinnis, Sara (27 April 2012). "Richard Simmons' new life as Dickie Jukebox". SheKnows.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  48. Finkel, David (2 October 2012). "At Hooters, Men are Men and the Women are Girls. Anbody got a problem with that?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  49. 1 2 Cumming, Valerie; Cunnington, C.W.; Cunnington, P.E. (2010). The dictionary of fashion history. Oxford: Berg. ISBN   9781847887382.
  50. Steele, Valerie (2000). Fifty years of fashion : new look to now (English ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 87. ISBN   9780300087383.
  51. 1 2 3 Lambert, Eleanor (1976). World of fashion: people, places, resources. New York: R.R. Bowker Co. pp. 53, 132. ISBN   9780835206273.
  52. Werlin, Katy (2015). "Hot Pants". In Blanco F., José; Hunt-Hurst, Patricia Kay; Lee, Heather Vaughan; et al. (eds.). Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe. ABC-CLIO. p. 160. ISBN   9781610693103.
  53. Hamer, Louise; Blum, Stella (1 January 1981). Clark, Rowena (ed.). Fabulous Fashion 1907-67: Exhibition from the Costume Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. International Cultural Corporation of Australia.
  54. 1 2 3 4 5 Russell, I. Willis; Porter, Mary Gray (1993). "Among The New Words". In Algeo, John; Algeo, Adele S. (eds.). Fifty Years Among the New Words: A Dictionary of Neologisms 1941-1991. Cambridge University Press. pp. 167–8. ISBN   9780521449717.
  55. Geczy, Adam (2014). "Lederhosen". In Lynch, Annette; D. Strauss, Mitchell (eds.). Ethnic Dress in the United States: A Cultural Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 185–6. ISBN   9780759121508.
  56. Spilling, Michael; Fishpool, Sean (2012). Long distance running for beginners . New York: Rosen Pub. p.  16. ISBN   978-1448848140.
  57. Hayhurst, Chris (2002). Ultra marathon running (1st ed.). New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Group. p.  34. ISBN   9780823935574.
  58. Barrios, Dagny Scott (2003). Runner's world complete guide to trail running. Emmaus, PA.: Rodale. p. 31. ISBN   1579547206.
  59. 1 2 3 Wagner, Christopher. "School Shorts:England". Historical Boy's Clothing. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  60. Shrimpton, Jayne (2014). Tracing your ancestors through family photographs : a complete guide for family and local historians. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Family History. p. 88. ISBN   9781781592809.
  61. Lansdell, Avril (1999). Everyday fashions of the twentieth century. Princes Risborough: Shire. pp. 57–58. ISBN   0747804281.
  62. Davidson, Alexander (1990). Blazers, badges and boaters : a pictorial history of school uniform. Horndean, Hants: Scope Books. pp. 166–167. ISBN   9780906619254.
  63. Davidson, Alexander (1990). Blazers, badges and boaters : a pictorial history of school uniform. Horndean, Hants: Scope Books. p. 126. ISBN   9780906619254.
  64. Walford, Geoffrey (2004). British Private Schools: Research on Policy and Practice. Routledge. p. 128. ISBN   9781135783259.
  65. Weigold, Marilyn E. (30 October 2014). "She Wears Short Shorts!". Yonkers in the Twentieth Century. Yonkers Historical Society: SUNY Press. pp. 96–99. ISBN   978-1438453941.
  66. Reinisch, June Machover (2003). "Ideal Images and Kinsey's Women". In Stirratt, Betsy; Johnson, Catherine (eds.). Feminine persuasion : art and essays on sexuality. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 16. ISBN   0253215897.
  67. Werlin, Katy (2015). "Women's Dress and Fashion 1946-1960". In Blanco F., José; Hunt-Hurst, Patricia Kay; Lee, Heather Vaughan; et al. (eds.). Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe. ABC-CLIO. p. 316. ISBN   9781610693103.
  68. 1 2 Lefler, Anna (2011). The chicktionary from A-line to Z-snap, the words every woman should know. Avon, Mass.: Adams Media. p. 179. ISBN   9781440531231.
  69. Staff writer (10 June 1957). "Snappy Skort, New for Sport". LIFE. pp. 71–76.
  70. Woodward, Bob (May 1985). "Short Cuts: How to dress as cool as Gurkha in hot weather". Backpacker: 37–39.
  71. Beck, Barry; Beck, Cathy (1999). Fly-fishing the flats (1st ed.). Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books. p. 91. ISBN   0811706265.