Vintage Shorts

Mike K. · Jan 31, 2009

There's a time and place for everything...including shorts. I would not go so far as to say that gentlemen will never wear shorts in public. Anyone who has been to the West Indies has probably observed some of the traditional dress attire of a gentleman - "Bermuda" shorts, along with coat & tie. Likewise, in other parts of the world, shorts can be donned with equal aplomb. The gentleman, of course, will know the proper shirt and footwear to accompany the shorts, and will know the proper type of shorts. The gentleman will also know the times and places where shorts would be inappropriate.

Tomasso · Jan 31, 2009

Reed Vreeland, on the steps of the Southampton Bathing Corporation (one of the most exclusive clubs in America) in the late 40's. He was considered one of the most sophisticated and urbane gentlemen of his era.

Doug C · Jan 31, 2009

suitable wrote:

I was asked why I did not wear shorts. I said that adult gentlemen wear shorts in public only for athletic purposes

lol , sorry no offense but I have to say that's a very antiquated idea and I'm personally glad we've moved on from that kind of strict formality. Loosen up a bit for goodness sake - life is too short! Sometimes, I'm not sure I belong here

Anyway these are the shorts I hope to be able to locate before summer, if anyone knows of a repro maker that does them let me know. WWII Japanese shorts...

Doug C

jack miranda · Feb 2, 2009

British Army khaki shorts?

Yes, I'm looking for shorts like the ones the British Army wore in North Africa. Not very gentlemanly, perhaps, but, good enough to send Gerry packing, ey? Anyhow, kidding aside, I am looking for good quality, knee-length, serviceable khaki shorts. Anybody know where such a critter can be found? Thanks.

shortbow · Feb 2, 2009

Jack, I got a couple pairs of just what you describe last summer from Carhartt. I use to have a pair of shorts that were surplus from the French Foreign Legion, those were mighty cool, but I wore them out. The Carhartts are surprisingly similar.

H.Johnson · Feb 2, 2009

jack miranda said:
Yes, I'm looking for shorts like the ones the British Army wore in North Africa. Not very gentlemanly, perhaps, but, good enough to send Gerry packing, ey? Anyhow, kidding aside, I am looking for good quality, knee-length, serviceable khaki shorts. Anybody know where such a critter can be found? Thanks.

My advice - go for 1949 or 1950 Pattern. War-time KD shorts are ten times more expensive and much rarer. Repros usually come from HK and are, er...HK repros.

Original 1950 Pattern KD and JG shorts are common on the surplus market in the UK. For repros, Silvermans.

cookie · Feb 2, 2009

H.Johnson said:
My advice - go for 1949 or 1950 Pattern. War-time KD shorts are ten times more expensive and much rarer. Repros usually come from HK and are, er...HK repros.

Original 1950 Pattern KD and JG shorts are common on the surplus market in the UK. For repros, Silvermans.

What Price Glory are selling repros of that 1940s style too.

cookie · Feb 2, 2009

shortbow said:
Jack, I got a couple pairs of just what you describe last summer from Carhartt. I use to have a pair of shorts that were surplus from the French Foreign Legion, those were mighty cool, but I wore them out. The Carhartts are surprisingly similar.

I just looked at their site. Which ones exactly do you mean?[huh]

H.Johnson · Feb 2, 2009

cookie said:
What Price Glory are selling repros of that 1940s style too.

Yes, they are. I have seen a pair and they are quite a good reproduction. Further, to Major Lee's credit, he points out that the name by which they are colloquially known (which we do not mention here) is only a fashion usage.

I still prefer originals over any reproduction, though.

H.Johnson · Feb 2, 2009

shortbow said:
Jack, I got a couple pairs of just what you describe last summer from Carhartt. I use to have a pair of shorts that were surplus from the French Foreign Legion, those were mighty cool, but I wore them out. The Carhartts are surprisingly similar.

If I deduce correctly the type of shorts that are being discussed here, I would urge caution when acquiring LEF ('Foreign Legion') shorts. Many on the surplus market are from the 1970s and 80s and are seriously short.... I mean 4 inch inside leg measurement.

Make sure that they are the longer pattern before buying. Anyone around 6 feet will need 9 inches inseam to get the effect. 1949 Pattern British shorts have a 10 inch inseam for a 6 foot height, for instance.

BinkieBaumont · Feb 2, 2009

Pushing the envelope in 1930's London

shortbow · Feb 2, 2009

Cookie, the ones I have are the Hamiltons, in khaki of course, although some of the others I see on their site look pretty good too.

jack miranda · Feb 3, 2009

Thanks, shortbow: I visited Carhartt's site

and the Kingstons do look good. Model B163 comes with a 13" inseam, which is closer to what I have in mind. The price is right, too. I spend time in the Great Basin, between Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City each summer, banging around on the dirt roads, camping out, 'kicking rock'. Shorts are a big plus.

I always think "The Rats of Tobruk". Cheers.

reetpleat · Feb 3, 2009

I think that shorts can be fine and love the pic of Vreeland. A time and a place, and he was probably at a resort.

As for attitude though, the only thing more offensive than shorts at the opera might be a guy who goes around telling me what a gentleman would do (what he does) and what a gentleman wouldn't do (what I do)

While I make no claims to be a gentleman, I would still want to smack the guy.

Paisley · Feb 3, 2009

I saw a nice shorts outfit today (at least, I thought the outfit looked good). On the bus, there was a courier wearing a gray three-button jacket, white dress shirt, knee-length khaki cargo shorts, black knee pads, black fingerless gloves, a modern back-pack with a chest strap, and brown tennis shoes with blue trim and matching blue laces. He had a short, neat haircut that suited his face. :arated:

habberdasher · May 16, 2011

1950s-60s shorts with socks?

I was wondering, back in the 50s60s what type of socks were worn with shorts, when they weren't really swim or beach shorts just seersucker or khaki or something? I have great casual shoes but when I'm just in town and not swimming or anything what socks to wear with boat shoes or canvas sneakers to keep the sweat off but not look all contradicting with dress socks. Think like a 60s florida vibe, with Miles davis, Steve McQueen, 50s italy (as in The Talented Mr Ripley), sort of later psychedelic jazz with more of a mod or rebellious 60s-natured classic, but not as extreme as hippies or Morrison or Dylan.

TrenchGuy · Jun 4, 2011

Short shorts

So, I've been looking for mens' short shorts for a very long time, vintage or not. They seem to be really hard to find as the current fashion in mens' shorts seem to be shorts that look like you have bought too short pants(no offense to anyone who wears them).

So, do some clothing companies still make short shorts for men(except football and other sport shorts) or do I have to find vintage ones? Any ideas where I could get them?

Feel free to post pictures of your short shorts, if you own them.

kiltie · Jun 5, 2011

I have an answer! Better still, I can do it without being smug, coy, or any other sort of condescending adjective.
...aaaannnnnd, dammit, I just noticed you're in Finland...

Welp, here you go anyway:
I was in the same boat just a few weeks ago. Needed some shorts, and I too was pretty sick of what may as well be capris. Finally, I scored in the hellest of holes: WALMART. Go to their website. The house brand is called 'GEORGE'. Look for the men's flat front classics. They hit me about two - two and a half inches above the top of my kneecap. Ten bones, American.

If you want shorter, do a search for 'UDT shorts' - The ones the US Navy SEALs train in...and Magnum PI wears on occasion.

Hope that's of some use.

Yeps · Jun 5, 2011

These aren't short, but they are not long like the ones you are complaining about. For me they fall a bit above the knee.

Dinerman · Jun 5, 2011

1930s

1927

Vintage Shorts

One Too Many

Incurably Addicted

Practically Family

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One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

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One Too Many

One Too Many

Rude Once Too Often

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Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

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One of the Regulars

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Call Me a Cab

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