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We note "Warner's Perfection Waists" in a 1905 catalg. Warner Perfection Waists are waist suits are another type of support garment. There are three different models shown for children and labeled as Style 2, Style 5, and Style 42. We are not sure if Warner's was the name of the catalog or waists or perhaps both. The images appear on different pages from the text. This appers to be a wholesale catalog for operators of retail shops because the items are sold by the dozen.
We note "Warner's Perfection Waists" in a 1905 catalog. Unfortunately they were from fugitive pages. So we did not know any thing about the firm of Warner's. It is not a company we have come across
before. It appers to be a wholesale catalog for operators of retail shops because the items are sold by the dozen. We are not sure if Warner's was the name of the catalog or waists or perhaps both. The Warner's Perfection Waists were, we believe, just one of many different products. We have since found information about the company Iy appearso have been a major corset manufacturer in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The terms used by manufacturers and retailers can be confusing. They were not consistent and often used terms that vary from modern uage. As far as we know, Warner's didn't make waist suits. While they used the term "waist" what is advertised here are are more properly termed "underwaists" and "corset waists" (in the case of the girl's or "Miss's Waist").
There are three different models shown for children and labeled as Style 2, Style 5, and Style 42. The images appear on different pages from the text.
The ad copy read, "Buttons fastned with tapes. Buttonholes
bound with tape. Sizes 19 to 27 inches. Made of a fine quality sateen;
pliable garment; reinforced with cords extending over the arms and
double bands around the waist. It may be buttoned either in front or
at the back, as preferred. White and drab [a grayish, off-white,
color]. $2.40 per dozen." This waist (which buttons down the back or front according to choice)
is suitable for both boys and girls. Boys would probably prefer the
front-buttoned style. The sizes are obviously chest sizes, which means
that it would fit children of both genders from about 2 to 12 years
old. It has two rows of buttons in front, on the sides, and in back.
The bottom buttons on the sides are for attaching supporters for long
stockings. The other buttons are for skirts, trousers, or additional
underwear.
The ad copy read, "Buttons fastened with tapes. Buttonholes bound
with tape. Sizes 19 to 17 inches. Made of fine sateen jean, with
buttons in front and laced at the back; provided with attachments for
fastening the hose supporters at the hips. White and drab. $4.50 per
dozen."
This is labeled a "Miss's Waist"--that is, for girls from about 4 to
14. It buttons down the front but has lacings in the back for size
adjustment and has shoulder straps that button in front. This is what
would be referred to elsewhere as a "corset waist." There are two sets
of buttons at the sides for panties, additional underwear, and perhaps
skirts. The two tabs at the sides are equipped with tubes (probably
metal) for pinning on hose supporters. Corset waists were also worn
sometimes by boys, but this one seems specifically desgined for girls
because of lacing in back.
The ad copy read, "Buttons fastened with
tapes. Buttonholes bound with tape. Sizes 19 to 17 inches. A
three-ply waist made of superior sateen, finely corded. The pattern is
practically our original "Wilson's Waist," which is so generally known
to the trade. White and drab. $4.50 per dozen."
The illustration shows a boy and girl of about 7 or 8 wearing the
waist, but the sizes would bit boys as old as 12 (figure 1). The boy is shown
wearing his waist buttoned in back, but it was probably reversible
(like Style 2). In addition to the two buttons at the sides, there is
obviously an additional attachment for hose supporters (note the
illustration). The boy and girl are both wearing black long stockings
with the supporters attached. Notice that the children are wearing
their stockings over gray long underwear.
A reafer wtites, "The rear buttoning of the waists may be more indicative of children requiring help with their clothes than gender issues, at least for that age and at the turn of the twentieth century." This is probably the case. Noite that Style 5, however, was clearly identified as a "Miss's Waist" by warners.
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