KNICKERS AND PLUS-FOURS - A 1924 Scene

(12/06/2023)

Knickers and Plus-Fours were a rage in the Roaring 20s when this photo was taken in 1924 of a Calhoun bunch, somewhere in wild and wonderful West Virginia.

It was a vacation trip taken by the L. J. Morris family of Grantsville. At far right is Carl Morris, later Calhoun businessman and Sheriff.

Jane Carpenter says "The young man on the running board is my dad, Don Morris. The lady in the background appears to be my grandmother, Edith Morris. The young boy is Carl, but the young girl is Bernice Morris Stamp, their sister. I am assuming that L.J. (my grandfather) was taking the picture."

Plus-fours were loosely tailored slacks cut four inches below the knee, much like those long shorts back in style in 2007. They were associated with sporting attire, generally golf, starting in the late 1800s.

Knickers is a word generally used for undergarments, which at times have been designed for outer garments, creating such phrases as "Don't get your knickers in a twist." (Photo submitted by Juanita Haught Whited)