In the 1960s, when he was in his 50s, it became popular --
and accepted -- for men to wear shorts.
One summer when the heat was unbearable we suggested
he buy a pair and wear them because he'd be cooler.
With emphatic finality he said,
"It took me long enough to get out of short pants,
I'm not getting back into them."
He never said how old he was when he finally got into long pants.
He never wore shorts again
except for the boxers underneath his trousers.
This is my father, Lee Doyle, at about age 6.
He was born on February 27, 1913.
This is a post for Sepia Saturday. Click on the link to visit the Sepia Saturday blog and see other contributors. Post an old photo to share, tell something about it, and join in if you like. All are welcome.
Fashions must have been different in the UK; I don't remember anyone wearing shorts in the 50s unless they were playing tennis or some other sport.
ReplyDeleteCute pic and story. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHe had his reasons, huh?
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute photo...
I know my father and uncles never wore shorts. it was amazing enough to see them in short sleeved shirts. they were about the same age as your father.
ReplyDeleteHaving those knees exposed after all of those years of being covered must have been frightening. I 'm glad that men were finally able to wear shorts; imagine how uncomfortable long pants are in very hot weather.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nancy! I think your father and mine were of the same mind. I've seen a picture of my father in shorts ... he was trimming shrubbery in the early 60s. Those same shorts were in his bureau drawer years later. I don't think he ever wore them again.
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday!
Well, my husband is younger but he too never wears shorts and refuses to wear shorts saying much the same thing! I think it is ridiculous especially when hot but he wears his jeans year round..also his cowboy boots..and often laughs at men showing their knobby knees...etc. This is a good photo with straight pose.
ReplyDeleteLoved the story and Picture Nancy, reminded me that my dad never wore shorts or put on swin trunks even though we lived in So Cal and had a beautiful pool...he was embarrassed because he had no hair on his legs. :)
ReplyDeleteMy Dad liked wearing shorts - but always with long socks! :)
ReplyDeleteMy dad (b 1918) never wore shorts. I do remember he wore swimming trunks at the beach and got a severe sunburn, he had blisters.
ReplyDeleteGuess his legs had never seen the sun before.
Tracie, that's funny that he was so aware of no hair on his legs. I don't think most people would notice.
ReplyDeleteBob, I don't think men commonly wore shorts in the 1950s in the U.S., either. It wasn't until the 1960s (when my father was in his 50s) that it became common for men to wear them.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, or Sunday anyway would have been his birthday! Very cute picture of him as a young lad, and it is funny how stubborn boys/men can be with certain styles in clothes...I think women are more advanced, we try and push new things...and apparently showing his legs or knees what not going to happen! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteMy dad wore shorts - often with long socks pulled up to the knee, and of course, with open toed sandals.
ReplyDeleteMy father was born in 1911 and I don't think he wore shorts. He did wear short sleeve shirts in the summer.
ReplyDeleteFun picture. It looks like he has white shoes on...
ReplyDeleteFunny, I was forced to wear shorts as a child and I won't wear them now for the same reason as your father.
ReplyDeleteMy father grew up as a first generation American with Scottish parents; a Scottish mother who made him wear what was popular in Scotland. Didn't sit well with my dad since none of the kids in California had to dress that way. He rarely wears shorts either
ReplyDeleteYou awaken old memories. I remember being forced to wear short trousers at school until I was about 12 years old : unthinkable these days. And, like your father, it has tended to put me off the idea of shorts.
ReplyDeleteI'd say men didn't start wearing shorts in large numbers until well into the 70s, or maybe the 80s, at least in the UK. I can't remember ever seeing my father in shorts, although he did go swimming when we went on holidays.
ReplyDeleteI wore short trousers until I left Primary school in the late 60s, which was pretty normal at the time. Usually when you "switched" to long trousers in those days that was it - there was no turning back! It's only in the last few years that I've started wearing shorts fairly regularly in the summer. I'm wearing them now and they're quite comfortable. Again, thanks for the photo and the article; it's interesting to read.
Thanks for visiting and sharing your experiences and memories of wearing shorts. I appreciate it.
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