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Most American children in 1911 except for the various youngest during the summer wore long stockings. Boys and girls wore various types of stocking supporters to hold up their long stockings. There were many different types and brands. A new type, the skeleton waist, appered in the 1911-12 period. The many differehnt choises and companies inviolved as well as the extensive advertusing show how prevalent these support items were at the time. While the principal purpse of these support garments was holding up long stockings. They were also used to hold up the pants and skirts of younger children up to about 10 years of age. Some also thoughtthey were helipul in incouraging good posture.
We note advertisements for Velvet Grip hose supporters in 1911 issues of "The Youth's Companion", a children's periodical. One of the most prominent items advertised in the Ladies' Home Journal for the years 1911 and 1912 were three different competing types of suspender waists and hose supporters for boys. All three variations appear repeatedly in successive copies of the magazine, and it is clear that the manufacturers were trying to convince mothers to buy them for their sons--especially their teenage sons. We think the reason for this new specificity about suspender waists in 1911-12 is that these garments were a relatively new invention at the time--a genunine innovation in boys' wear--and the three competing firms were trying to corner the market on garments that were just beginning to catch on and that were much more popular with boys than the conventional underwaists, skeleton waists, and pin-on supporters that had dominated the market theretofore. In earlier years boys wore pretty much the same kind of support garment.
We also find Pearl Waist in an ad for waists printed in the Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, Idaho (November 25, 1911, page 7). The store was George A. Anderson's, referred to as "Boise's Parcel Post Store" (apparently
one could shop by mail here). In a general ad for knitted waists, the ad points out that "Knit waists are much nicer than the old-fashioned jeans waists; they are more comfortable and easier laundered."
We have Little information on 1911 catalogs at this time. Boys commonly wore kneepants and knickers and long stockings were very widely worn by both boys and girls. Stocking supporters were needed to hold up the long stockings. We note advertisements for Velvet Grip hose supportersin 1911 issues of The Youth's Companion, a children's periodical.
One of the most prominent items advertised in the Ladies' Home Journal for the years 1911 and 1912 were three different competing types of suspender waists and hose supporters for boys. All three variations appear repeatedly in successive copies of the magazine, and it is clear that the manufacturers were trying to convince mothers to buy them for their sons--especially their teenage sons. We think the reason for this new specificity about suspender waists in 1911-12 is that these garments were a relatively new invention at the time--a genunine innovation in boys' wear--and the three competing firms were trying to corner the market on garments that were just beginning to catch on and that were much more popular with boys than the conventional underwaists, skeleton waists, and pin-on supporters that had dominated the market theretofore. In earlier years boys wore pretty much the same kind of support garment.
We also find a Pearl Waist in an ad for waists printed in the Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, Idaho (November 25, 1911, page 7). The store was George A. Anderson's, referred to as "Boise's Parcel Post Store" (apparently
one could shop by mail here). In a general ad for knitted waists, the ad points out that "Knit waists are much nicer than the old-fashioned jeans waists; they are more comfortable and easier laundered."
Warner Brothers was a major corset manufacturer and as saideline also produced children's waists meaning stocking supporters. Their Perfection Waists were an important brand. Here is an ad for Perfection Muslim Waists. There were several styles for boyh boys and girls. Separatet styles were made for the boys and girls. Some of the styls were for little children, but some were for children 2-14 years of age. The ad copy read, " Perfectiom Muslim Waists still the best selling 25-cent waist. And all perfection waists at 25 cents hve hose supporters attached. A Perfection Waist fits--it supports--it wears ell--it will stand whatever strain a youngster--boy or girl--up to 14 years--my put upon it--this statement cannot be made of any other waist--Why? Because Perfection Waits are perfectly designed, scientifically cut, carefully made--a Shaped Waist--reibforced with the bias or cirved strips, according to style, place at pointswhere the 'pulling' naturally comes, with the strainequally divided either side of the armhole--every seam double-folded and stitched."
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