Figure 1.--We also note an ad for Porsoknit union suits for boys that appeared in the Literary Digest for 1917. This is a summer union suit for boys which also is made in adult sizes. Notice that the appeal is to the athletic side of boys--those who ride bikes. . |
We also note an ad for Porsoknit union suits for boys that appeared in the Literary Digest for 1917. This is a summer union suit for boys which also is made in adult sizes. Notice that the appeal is to the athletic side of boys--those who ride bikes. The firm is the Chalmers Knitting Co. of Amsterdam, New York. They also made "Spring Needle Ribbed Underwear for Winter. Union suits were the main underwear style for both men and boys during the 1910s although separate undershirts and ankle-length drawers (which are also advertised here) were an alternative. Union suits were the main underwear style for both men and boys during the 1910s although separate undershirts and ankle-length drawers (which are also advertised here) were an alternative.
We do not yet have much information on this company. The firm is the Chalmers Knitting Co. of Amsterdam, New York. They also made "Spring Needle Ribbed Underwear for Winter. We have little information on the company. All of the available information grom the 1910s.
We do not know much about the Literary Digest at this time. We do know that it was a major Aerican publication in the early 20th cebntury devoted to literature and culture. We do not know when the magazine was founded or until when it was published. The do not issues from 1908-36. Whilke well known in the early 20th century, it is best known today as a footnote in the history of polling. The mgazine conducted a poll using telephobne queries during 1936. It suggested at the time that Republican candidate Alf Landon would defeat Franklin Roosevelt in a landslide. Of course he did not. The poll is used as an example of the need for a pole to sample all sectors of the voting public. Many voters in 21936 coukd notg afford telephones and most of them voited for President Roosevelt. The magazine was poublished by Funk & Wagnals which aldo published an encyclopedia.
Union suits were the main underwear style for both men and boys during the 1910s although separate undershirts and ankle-length drawers (which are also advertised here) were an alternative. The union suit is a close-fitting underwear garment. The term union refers to the fact that a union suit involves the combination of both a shirt and pants (drawers) in a one piece suit. The garment commonly included a drop seat. This term began to be used in the 1890s. The term union suit was commonly used for adults. The children's version was a waist suit or a waist-union suit. Women also wore union suits. So did girls. But they were associated mainly with men because more men
than women wore them. With boys and girls, I'm not sure. I think waist union suits were equally popular for boys and girls because of the waist feature. Union suits for children were essentially combination suits. But union suits without the reinforcement straps were mainly a boy's garment.
This ad for Porsoknit union suits for boys appeared in the Literary Digest during 1917. This is a summer union suit for
boys which also is made in adult sizes. Notice that the appeal is to the athletic side of boys--those who ride bikes. The Porosknit brand features a cotton mesh fabric that stretches and absorbs perspiration. It was popular for summer wear when the weather was warm. Note that long-legged union suits and drawers were the standard wear
for men and boys even in the hotter months. The boy in the ad seems to be about 10 or 11 years old. This union suit has short sleeves for summer. But styles with long sleeves were also available--especially in winter union suits. Nearly all boys' union suits of this period had buttons down the front from neck to crotch and a drop
seat closed with three buttons.
The ad copy reads: "Chalmers Underwear. All Styles "Lets the Body Breathe" Union Suits For Men $1.25; For Boys 65 c Shirts and Drawers Per Garment; For Men 60 c; For Boys 30 c. Chalmers Trade Mark Porosknit Underwear. This Labael on Every Garment.
Boys Like Chalmers "Porosknit" because it lets them do what they want to do. It doesn't hamper them, but stretches and contracts with their every movement. And it keeps their bodies from getting overheated. That's why men like it, too. Mothers like "Porosknit" because it is so easily washed and becuase it requires so little mending. The fabric is tough and durable, the seams are reinforced, the buttons are of good quality and well sewed on. The elastic closed crotch in "Porosknit" Union Suits gives added comfort and prevents tearing of the fabric. That's why women like Chalmers "Porosknit"
Underwear for ther men folks, too. Ask your dealer for genuine "Porosknit." It's guaranteed to be satisfactory. Chalmers Knitting Co, Amersterdam, N.Y. Also Makers of Chalmers Spring Needle Ribbed Underwear for Winter."
The union suits here are ankle length. We also note knee-length styles of Porosknit union suits that were advertised in 1917. This ad comes from a different source--Good Housekeeping Magazine (May 1917, p. 86). The same fabric is used in these models but
they are knee-length suits instead of the ankle-length suit in our present illustration. The ad text is similar to the Literary Digest ad. The two different styles are a sleeveless knee-length model and a short-sleeved knee-length model.
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