Hockey shorts are commonly associated with sportscotland, but they are much more popular in Canada and the United States. The Canadian Hockey Association was one of the first sports organizations to adopt the popular fashion piece, and it still uses the short fashion for its boys’ and girls’ teams today.
The equipment you need for hockey doesn’t have very long sleeves, so most of the players and team staff wear short-shorts when playing. Since the association started using the equipment in the 1920s, several different styles of hockey shorts have emerged. Here are some of the most popular styles, along with their nicknames.
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The Original Hockey Shorts
The first hockey shorts were manufactured by the Northland company in 1923 and featured a fly pattern on the front. Since then, several other brands have produced their own takes on the popular fashion piece, including Triumph, Mountain Equipment, and North Face.
The short sleeves and loose fitting nature of the original hockey shorts made them ideal for playing outside in the summertime. However, they were not made to cover the knee, and they became very cumbersome and hot during practice and games in the winter, especially since most of the players were teens at the time and were not used to wearing long sleeves.
In some parts of Canada, this short-shorts era continues to this day, even for the adult hockey leagues. The Mountain Equipment Co-op is the official supplier of the Canadian Mountain Hockey League, and it continues to recommend short-shorts for the athletes. In fact, the league still uses the same logo from its inception in 1967 and is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The Modernization Of Hockey Shorts
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, long-sleeved hockey shorts became very popular, and manufacturers started producing them in warmer climates. With the rise of polyester and acrylic materials, more people started wearing long-sleeved garments, and the original short-shorts gradually evolved into longer and skimpier shorts.
The best example of this is probably the USA Hockey league, which still uses short-shorts but also offers its male and female players long sleeves and slushpants. Similarly, the Swedish Hockey League offers its players long sleeves and knee-length shorts, while the Finnish Junior Hockey League wears long sleeves and low-waisted shorts.
The modernized hockey shorts provide better versatility and better coverage, but they are also a whole lot more comfortable to wear in the summertime. The extra length also means that they are easier to wear in the wading pool and beach volleyball settings, too.
The Rise Of MMA And Boxing Shorts
Most MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters train in short-shorts, especially those who compete in less formal bouts or in exhibitions where they don’t wear gear. Similarly, the best boxers in the world often wear short-shorts to train and promote their sport.
MMA shorts are also popular amongst casual and competitive swimmers, as well as in weightlifting and tennis. Some MMA athletes even incorporate their shorts into their training, which involves a lot of high-intensity exercise and multiple sets. In other words, short-shorts have become popular due to mixed martial arts and boxing, but they have also become popular amongst traditional sports teams and individuals.
The apparel industry has responded by producing varied and exciting ranges of short-shorts to keep up with the demands of MMA and boxing. For instance, most people know what an Octagon—or an octagonal ring—is, but did you know that you can buy shorts with an octagonal pattern on them specifically for MMA purposes? There’s also been a huge rise in popularity of colored and patterned shorts, which some designers claim is due to the success of mixed martial arts and boxing.
The Evolution Of Female Hockey Shorts
Female athletes have also played an important role in the evolution of short-shorts, and most female hockey teams wear some type of short-shorts. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that they started wearing short-shorts specifically for hockey purposes. This was largely due to the efforts of Herb Gardiner, who worked for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and was responsible for bringing hockey to the Olympics in Canada. As the director of physical education at the time, he wanted female athletes to be able to participate in a sport that was often thought of as a “man’s sport” and felt that offering them longer and skimpier shorts would help.
Gardiner was also responsible for bringing ice hockey to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, which started a trend that continues to this day. Even the women’s ice hockey team at UAlberta still wears short-shorts to this day.
The AAU began promoting the benefits of wearing short-shorts for female athletes in the 1960s, and many sports organizations have followed suit. In fact, many female athletes believe that short-shorts make them more agile and active, which is probably why most sports teams wear them even today.
Short-Shorts Have Evolved Beyond Sports
Today, short-shorts are more popular than ever, and they have evolved beyond sport and athletic wear to become a fashion statement amongst all ages and genders. The best illustration of this is probably when you walk down the street and see someone in casual shorts and a T-shirt with a long-sleeved top underneath. This type of look is known as sportswear and is ideal for playing or working out in the summertime.
Many people in today’s world view sport and physical activity differently, particularly since the start of the 21st century. More and more people are participating in sports as a form of exercise and as a way to lead a healthier lifestyle. This is why short-shorts have become so popular amongst fitness fanatics and everyday individuals who want to stay active and look fashionable while doing so.
Many people still associate short-shorts with sport and athletic wear, but that perception is slowly changing, as evidenced by the fact that today’s fashion scene is embracing the versatility and comfort that this undergarment style provides.