The origin of shorts can be traced back to the 17th century when culottes, also known as short pants, gained popularity. At that time, the European aristocracy preferred this type of clothing, while commoners were required to adhere to the law and wear long trousers. This disparity eventually led to the French Revolution, where the "sans-culottes," meaning "without culottes," revolted against the bourgeois aristocracy. Following the revolution, the upper class switched to long pants, leaving only shortened pants in the children's wardrobe. These culottes served as the prototype for shorts, which emerged two centuries later.
During World War I, Great Britain established their base on the Bermuda Islands, where the climate was subtropical. English soldiers faced difficulties due to the heat, prompting them to cut their wool pants above the knees. The locals embraced this idea and named the shortened pants "bermudas." In the early 1930s, shorts gained popularity in beach fashion and became a common choice for outdoor activities and sports. In 1932, during the World Championship held in the United States, British tennis player Bunny Austin deviated from the norm by appearing on the court wearing flannel shorts instead of the usual white trousers. Gradually, shorts made their way into city streets and were not only worn by athletes, but also by everyday people. In America, shorts became a recognizable symbol of Boy Scouts, while in England, students from private schools adopted them as a part of their attire. Over time, shorts evolved into everyday clothing, and it is rare to find any place in the world where wearing shorts is prohibited.
Show more