The Heatwave That Changed Dress Codes

The summer of 1936 marked a perilous time in U.S. history due to severe heat. The heatwave resulted in at least 5,000 deaths across various cities, including New York City, Baltimore, Columbus, Lexington, and Minneapolis. These locations experienced persistent temperatures of 100°F or more. Geoff Williams, author of The Summer of Death, reflects on this challenging period.

With limited access to air conditioning, people found refuge in movie theaters or outdoors. The relentless heat altered daily life and even the way people dressed. Wearing shorts in public was uncommon during this era, yet the extreme temperatures significantly influenced fashion trends.

In Yonkers, New York, shorts were not just frowned upon; they were illegal. Mayor Mike Spano recounted how, in 1935, Alderman William Slater led a movement to ban shorts and halter tops, imposing fines and possible jail time for violators. Despite this, resistance arose. On June 21, 1936, two reporters from the New York Daily News, aiming to challenge the shorts ban, were arrested, though their convictions were later overturned.

Clothing norms have evolved over time. Erin Black from New York University discussed how certain fashion choices, like Elizabethan-era pumpkin hose, were both functional and problematic. The 1800s saw young boys wearing shorts, but it was British soldiers in Bermuda during World War I who popularized cutting pants to combat the heat, giving rise to Bermuda shorts.

Women’s fashion adapted more gradually. The rise of World War II pinup girls, like Betty Grable, contributed to the acceptance of shorter attire. By the 1950s, shorts were significantly shorter. The cultural impact continued with the disco era and icons like Catherine Bach from The Dukes of Hazzard, whose character made ‘Daisy Dukes’ a fashion staple.

Today, shorts are an accepted part of the wardrobe in most settings, a far cry from the restrictive laws of the past. Mayor Mike Spano himself wears them in public, reflecting the shift in societal norms. Writer Geoff Williams also embraces shorts, grateful for the relief they provide compared to past climates.