Increasingly boys, especially American boys, would wear knickers and a simple shirt, perhaps with a sweater during the colder months. This would be the common atire of American boys in the years before jeans. Knickers were mostly with patterened kneesocks or by the 1920s with ankle socks during the summer. Boys also commonly went barefoot in the summer, especilally in the country. Rite of Passage Knickers do not appear to have been very popular to the boys that wore them.
Most boys appear to have coveted long pants.
Many adults looking back recall finally putting away their knickers as an important step in growing up. Today it may be when he first applies a razor to the stubble on his chin and cheeks. Or when he gets his permit to officially drive a car. With these stages comes a feeling of pride that gives today's youth an advantage over our emergence into adulthood back when. Our growing years were probably the most awkward and trying days of our lives.