'Plus fours' are loosely tailored
slacks cut 4
inches below the
knee (and thus four inches longer than traditional
knickerbockers, hence the name). They have been
traditionally associated with
sporting attire from the
1860s and onward, and are particularly associated with
golf.
Plus fours were introduced to
America by Edward
Prince of Wales (later
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom) during a
diplomatic trip in
1924. They are often seen on
golf courses, and frequently worn with
argyle socks,
silk ties, and
dress shirts/
sweaters. Some plus fours even came as complete
suits.
They were later brought back to prominence by the
professional golfer
Payne Stewart who wore them on the
PGA Tour.
The fictional comic book character
Tintin was also usually seen wearing them.