Figure 1.--Long stockings were still quite common although three-quater socks kneesocks were worn to some extent in the early 1920s. Almost all children still wore long stocking during the cold winter months. Black was still very common, although girls and sometimes younger boys might wear white stockings. A good example is Holeproof Hosiery which was advertized in the St. Nicholas Magazine--a major youth-orieted publication. We see Holeproof Hosiery advertising emphasizing black long stockings for boys.

Long stockings were still quite common although three-quater socks and kneesocks are now being worn, especially in the summer. The styles of socks were especially common for younger children. White was very common, but often with colored bands. More common for children, especually school-age children was long stockings. Almost all children still wore long stocking during the cold winter months. Black was still very common, although girls and sometimes younger boys might wear white stockings. A good example is Holeproof Hosiery which was advertized in the St. Nicholas Magazine--a major youth-orieted publication. We see Holeproof Hosiery advertising emphasizing black long stockings for boys.

Holeproof Hosiery Company

The Holeproof Hosiery Company was located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There were also subsidiaries in Sydney, Australia and Ontario, Canada. We do not know a great deal about the company, but it advertized widely during the 1920s. We note another advertisement in an unidentified magazine during 1924. The advertisements we have found show long stockings, but that the company had a much wider product line.

St. Nicholas Magazine

St. Nicolas Magazine was published from 1873 to 1939. During that long run, the magazine exerted an influence on young Americans rivaled only by that of The Youth's Companion. Editorial guidance was provided by Mary Mapes Dodge, who had earlier written the classic Hans Brinker: or, The Silver Skates" in 1865). It was in St. Nichiolas that Frances Hogdsen Burnett serialized "Little Lord Fauntleroy" was (1885). It was subsequently published in book form. St. Nicholas attracted an incredible list of authors. They included some of the best known writers in America and England, including Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bret Harte, Rudyard Kipling, and L. Frank Baum. Most important American illustrators had their work published in St. Nichiolas Magazine, including Maxfield Parrish and ???.

Long Stockings

Long stockings were still quite common in America during the the 1920s, especially the early 20s. Although three-quater socks and kneesocks were being worn, especially in the summer. The styles of socks were especially common for younger children. White was very common, but often with colored bands. More common for children, especually school-age children was long stockings. Almost all children still wore long stocking during the cold winter months. Black was still very common, although girls and sometimes younger boys might wear white stockings.

Advertisement

The Holeproof Hosiery advertisement here appeared in a 1921 issue of the St. Nicholas Magazine. Like several other advertisements we have seen, it emphasized durable long stockings for boys. Notice tht black long stockings are pictured.

Ad Copy

The Holeproof Hosiery ad copy here was captioned "This Youngster is 'Hard' on Stockings." The ad copy read, "And Holeproof stockings are made for him. Made to stand the hard wear of boys and girls who romp and play. Yet they are beauiful--fine-spun, shapely and smooth. And even after mobths of hard wear and wshing, they look like new. This is due to the high quality of materials used in making Hooleproof stockings. Millions of women will tell you to buy Holeproof, exclusively for your children. Made for grown-ups, too, in pure silk, silk faced and lusterized lisle. At leading stores everywhere in all popular colors."

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Created: 7:53 PM 3/4/2008
Last updated: 7:53 PM 3/4/2008