Men’s vintage shorts started out as a sportswear only option until vacationers created short “walking length” trousers. Shorts remained long with a pleated waistband until the 1970s when the very short short came into style. Denim shorts became trendy in the 1970s then back to long and baggy in the 1990s. Men’s vintage shorts have made a full circle.
- 1930s – Short gym shorts and long walking shorts
- 1940s- Knee length pleated walking shorts
- 1950s -Long shorts, short sport shorts
- 1960s – Flat front shorts, long and shorter
- 1970s- Short shorts, denim cut offs
- 1980s- Cotton shorts, runner shorts
- 1990s – Cargo shorts, jam shorts
Most vintage style shorts are back in fashion (still hard to find a high waist) but short, long, pleated, denim, cutt off, short shorts, gurkha, runner, and gym shorts are available:
History of Men’s Shorts in Pictures
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- 1930s Gurkha shorts
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- 1948 pleat walking shorts
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- 1951 pleat shorts, mid length
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- 1956 men’s tall socks- argyle and plain rib with cuffs
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- 1963, the summertime Dad look
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- 1969 tab button swim shorts
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- 1973 cut off shorts
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- 1977 denim shorts
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- 1985 all shorts styles
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- 1987 cotton shorts
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- 1992 Jam shorts
Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
