The short that nobody talks about
Everyone talks about the rugby shirt. The collar, the hoops, the rubber buttons. But look at any old team photo and the other half of the kit tells a story too. Rugby shorts went from long white trousers to the short, tough scrum short we all know, and they never stopped being practical.
At Rugby Culture we love that classic look. We just had one problem with it, and we fixed it. More on that below.
From white trousers to knickerbockers
The first rugby players at Rugby School did not wear shorts at all. According to the World Rugby Museum, white cotton duck trousers came into use there in the 1830s, part of the white sports kit that also gave England its white shirt.
As the game spread, knickerbockers took over: loose trousers that ended around the knee. A famous painting of England v Scotland from around 1876 shows the players in jerseys and long white knickerbockers. When the first New Zealand team toured Australia in 1884, they wore a dark blue jersey with a gold fern, dark knickerbockers and stockings. In April 1893 New Zealand rugby decided its colours would be a black jersey with a silver fern, a black cap, white knickerbockers and black stockings.
The arrival of the rugby short
Rules on paper and kit on the pitch did not always match. Team photos of New Zealand sides from 1894 and 1896 already show white shorts instead of knickerbockers. According to the New Zealand Rugby Museum, the white shorts were dropped for black in 1901, and by the famous 1905 tour New Zealand played in all black, the look that gave the All Blacks their name.
For most of the 20th century, rugby shorts were made of cotton. They had to take a beating in rucks and mauls and survive endless washing. Over time, tougher synthetic fabrics like polyester with reinforced seams took over, because they are lighter, last longer and hold their colour better.
What makes a rugby short a rugby short
The shape has barely changed in a century, because every detail has a job:
- Not too long, not too tight. Long, baggy shorts make it easier for an opponent to pull you back, while shorts that are too tight increase the risk of injury.
- Tough fabric. Rugby shorts need to survive being grabbed, pulled and dragged through the mud.
- A drawstring or strong waistband. So they stay where they belong when you get tackled.
- No hard parts. World Rugby's Law 4 bans buckles, clips, hinges, zips and other rigid items on match kit, and shorts may not have padding sewn into them.
Why we gave our scrum shorts zip pockets
Here is the honest story. We love wearing scrum shorts off the pitch too. To training, on the bike to the club, at the beach, through a long afternoon in the clubhouse garden. The classic rugby look, all day long.
The problem? Our stuff kept falling out. Keys on the bike path. A phone sliding out on the grass during the third half. A bank card gone somewhere between the bar and the touchline. Classic scrum shorts are made for the game, not for carrying your life around.
So we made the short we were missing: the classic scrum short shape and feel, with zip pockets. Your keys, phone and card stay zipped in, and the shorts still look like they belong at a rugby club.
One thing to be clear about: because of those zips, our scrum shorts are made for training, travel, the terrace and the third half, not for official matches. Law 4 does not allow zips on match kit, and we respect the laws of the game.
Our scrum shorts at a glance
- Classic scrum short cut with a straight fit
- Elastic waistband for an easy fit
- Zip pockets that keep your stuff with you
- Lightweight and breathable
- Club colours like maroon, black, red and orange, with gold embroidered details on selected styles
- Kids sizes for young ruggers too
How to wear scrum shorts off the pitch
Pair them with a heritage rugby polo for the full oldschool look. Go with a plain white tee and trainers for summer sevens tournaments. Throw a hoodie over the top after training. The rule is simple: keep it relaxed, keep it rugby.
FAQ
Why are rugby shorts so short?
Long, baggy shorts are easier for an opponent to grab and pull. A shorter cut keeps you free in the tackle and the scrum.
Can I play a match in shorts with zip pockets?
No. World Rugby's Law 4 does not allow zips or other hard parts on match kit. Our zip pocket scrum shorts are made for training, travel and off the pitch. But they sure are toguh enoug to survvive any challenge.
What did rugby players wear before shorts?
White trousers at Rugby School, then knickerbockers that ended around the knee. By the 1890s some teams, like New Zealand, were already playing in shorts.
What are scrum shorts?
Scrum shorts are the short, tough shorts worn for rugby. Today the name also covers rugby style shorts worn off the pitch, like ours.
