# Have Little Lord Fauntleroy shorts come back in style for little kids? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669 "2017-07-19T19:18:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/21 "2017-07-20T23:30:21Z")
I live in Arizona and go around in shorts year round. I’m male and 60. We have the climate for it. I favor denim jeans style shorts. I find nothing unusual about what George is wearing. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/22 "2017-07-21T01:19:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > According to research by Rakuten Marketing, George and Charlotte are the second and fourth most influential celebrity youngsters in children’s fashion market respectively. I’m extremely disappointed that the article doesn’t reveal who’s in the first and third spots. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/23 "2017-07-21T04:47:15Z")
Short are quite common in school uniforms, which apparently are themselves coming back in vogue in multiple countries. I understand that while skinned knees are a bit of a pain in the knee, they’re easier to fix than ripped-at-the-knee trousers. ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/24 "2017-07-21T08:46:30Z")
see BBC news “[The Royal Family’s dress code uncovered](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40640634)” > [@](#): > > Unlike many three-year-olds, Prince George has yet to be seen wearing a T-shirt of his favourite TV character or a even pair of trousers. > Experts say this is because it is royal tradition for young princes and princesses to be formally dressed when they are in public. > Instead, Prince George is much more likely to wear a pair of smart shorts and a shirt. > Etiquette expert Grant Harrold, known as The Royal Butler, says the tradition dates back to the times of breeching in the 16th Century. > He said: "This saw young boys wearing gowns or dresses until the age of eight, if not before. > “Thankfully in late 19th Century and early 20th Century this developed into shorts. This tradition is carried on by the Royal Family to this very day.” ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/25 "2017-07-21T12:54:21Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Since when are khaki shorts “athletic”? Seriously. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/26 "2017-07-21T22:29:14Z")
Prince George is four. You’ve never seen a four year old in shorts in your area? Where do you live? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/27 "2017-07-21T23:01:04Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If you were talking about the bloused knickers, lace collar and ruffled shirt, yeah, that’s not so common these days. Hee. Yes, at least the shorts aren’t velvet. Federer’s kids looked classic (and adorable) too. [https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/roger-federer-b.jpg?w=4928&h=3280](https://peopledotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/roger-federer-b.jpg?w=4928&h=3280) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/28 "2017-07-22T00:56:30Z")
> [@Anaglyph](#): > > see BBC news “[The Royal Family’s dress code uncovered](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40640634)” Thank you so much. 😃 😃 This board totally rocks. I knew there had to be an answer. I know its mundane curiosity. It’s still good to know the logic behind seeing this kid dressed so stuffy and proper. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/29 "2017-07-22T03:11:54Z")
Of course the royal family has no idea how to properly dress their children, why would they? That’s what their etiquette experts are for. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/30 "2017-07-22T04:06:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I cannot comprehend what the OP is complaining about. Having to get all dressed up to go to grandma’s house 50 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/31 "2017-07-22T05:46:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Thank you so much. 😃 😃 > > This board totally rocks. I knew there had to be an answer. > > I know its mundane curiosity. It’s still good to know the logic behind seeing this kid dressed so stuffy and proper. Wouldn’t ten seconds rational thought have produced the same result? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/32 "2017-07-22T07:25:05Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Wouldn’t ten seconds rational thought have produced the same result? Yes, I know you dress up for formal occasions. What I didn’t know was why we always see George in that particular outfit. Now it’s been confirmed that it’s considered a traditional style for royal children. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/33 "2017-07-22T09:42:03Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yes, I know you dress up for formal occasions. > > What I didn’t know was why we always see George in that particular outfit. > Now it’s been confirmed that it’s considered a traditional style for royal children. It’s really not an unusual way to see little boys dressed, though, even before he was born. The only unusual thing is not wearing t-shirts but I think that may be them avoiding endorsing a particular brand. The shirts are probably made by a traditional company that’s already “by royal appointment.” ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/34 "2017-07-22T19:50:47Z")
Didn’t strike me as that unusual, not just for the royals (whose job is to be ever so slightly behind the centre of gravity of popular fashions and attitudes) but for quite a way down the social scale: special occasions demand “Sunday best”. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/35 "2017-07-22T19:53:04Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > The shirts are probably made by a traditional company that’s already “by royal appointment.” Nope, multiple brands. They’re commercially-available models from different British companies. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/36 "2017-07-22T19:56:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yes, I know you dress up for formal occasions. > > What I didn’t know was why we always see George in that particular outfit. > Now it’s been confirmed that it’s considered a traditional style for royal children. I just don’t think it requires that much thought. It’s not as if the royal adults go around looking like a shlub. Of course the children, when out for public view, would be dressed up. ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/37 "2017-07-22T21:42:16Z")
Prince George’s checked shirt from the other day was from a Spanish company, Neck and Neck. [It costs 15 euros.](http://www.neckandneck.com/en/Product/17V07001.34/shop/junior/boy) The other shirt was from a different Spanish company and sold out, but was available for 13 euros. The royal family does not wear exclusively British fashions. ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/38 "2017-07-22T22:43:47Z")
My mom made me a blouse with a Peter Pan collar (like [this](http://crescentmoonchildren.com/childrens-clothing/boys-holiday-button-suit/)) when I was young. I always wore it backwards so the buttons were in the front. I never understood why she put the buttons on the “boy’s” side. When she explained that I was wearing it backwards, I wondered who the hell thought buttons up the back were a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/39 "2017-07-23T22:11:51Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Nope, multiple brands. They’re commercially-available models from different British companies. Fair enough! My theory holds no water. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669/40 "2017-07-24T00:50:29Z")
I understood his OP just fine. He was simply wondering if an old-fashioned form of shorts was coming back into fashion. He said he hadn’t seen them until recently, and that he missed them. So he’s happy they are back. The shorts I saw in the photos do not look like what I consider dress shorts, which are just shorts made exactly like dress pants. (And I’ve never heard of them being acceptable in formal situations except near the equator.) They do hearken to an earlier era, IMO. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-little-lord-fauntleroy-shorts-come-back-in-style-for-little-kids/791669.md?page=3)