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We note an ad for the Nazareth Waist Union Suit in the Ladies' Home
Journal January 1922, p. 102. There were a whole series of such ads for waist suits by both competing companies--Nazareth and E-Z Mills. The advertisement reproduces the frequently shown image of the child's underwaist at top center with the heading "The Original Knit Waist for Boys and Girls". This was a familiar logo and appears on many Nazareth ads. Then we have the description of the waist's features. The waist union suit was similar to a regular union suit, but with features to support other garments such as pants and stockings.
The Nazareth Waist Company was one of the major manufacturers of
children's underwear in the USA during the 1920s and 1930s. We have some basic information on the company. It was founded by Gustav Adpolphus Schneebeli (1853-1923), a German immigrant, born in Neusalz, Germany, who settled with his parents in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and attended the Moravian Parochial School in Bethlehem. Schneebeli moved to Nazareth in the 1880s and founded the Nazareth Waist Co., a knit-goods firm that specialized in children's underwear. Later he established a lace manufacturing company of which he became the sole owner (1888). He was elected to the U. S. Congress as a Republican representative from Pennsylvania (1905), but served only a single term . He died in Nazareth, Northampton County, Pa., February 6, 1923, and was buried in the Moravian cemetery there. The Nazareth Waist Co. founded in the 1880s became a very prominent manufacturer of children's waist suits, and indeed the term "Nazareth Waist" became a household word throughout the nation. The company had offices in New York City and mills in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The company appears to have concentrated on children's underwear.
We note an ad for the Nazareth Waist Union Suit in the Ladies' Home
Journal January 1922, p. 102. January, being a cold month, was a time for many firms to advertise long underwear--in this case, Nazareth waist union suits. There were a whole series of such ads for waist suits by both competing companies--Nazareth and E-Z Mills. As the oldest still publishing, most respected women's service magazine in the country, The Journal has always focused on issues of crucial importance to millions of women. Since its first issue in December 1883. This long history make The Journal and invaluable source of information on American fashion trends. Its covered an incredibly wide range of topics beyond just fashion, from the latest medical research and consumer news to parenting know-how, workplace survival, good skincare, nutrition facts and much, much more. It was The Journal which sucessfully merged the elements and produced the right formula, becoming the top ladies magazine in America. The Journal both empowered women and applauded their growing power.
The waist union suit was similar to a regular union suit, but with features to support other garments such as pants and stockings. In the early 1920s the waist union suit was developed and remained popular until the 1940s. This garment (for both boys and girls up until about the age of 13) combined the basic one-piece union suit, the standard form of children's underwear, with the underwaist (with reinforcement straps, waist buttons, and garter tabs) so that a single garment could do duty for two. Wearing one layer rather than two made getting dressed easier, and mothers saved money by not having to buy both a union suit and an underwaist or garter waist. These suits were sometimes referred to as "combination suits." Waist union suits came in both summer and winter styles. The summer style was usually made of nainsook and was like a junior version of adult BVDs. It had short legs and was usually sleeveless so as to be cool.
The advertisement reproduces the frequently shown image of the child's underwaist at top center with the heading "The Original Knit Waist for Boys and Girls". This was a familiar advertising claim and appears on many Nazareth ads.
The ad also includes a description of the waist's features. Then we have the description of the waist's features:
"This is a high-quality knit waist at a popular price. We have
maintained our high-quality service for 35 years. This fact is proof
that the Nazareth Waist is made to wear well, to add to the comfort of
children and to satisfy mothers with the service it gives. Suspender
tapes support outer garments. Buttons front or back for boy or girl
[i.e., the boy's waist buttons in front while the girl's waist buttons
in back.] Metal pin tubes prevent garter tears. Look for the Nazareth
name in red. Sizes 2 to 15 years. [HBC note: most waists for boys and
girls were made in sizes up to only 12 or 13 years. The Nazareth waist
accommodated boys and girls as old as 15.]
On either side we have illustrations of a girl and boy wearing the
Nazareth Waist Union Suit. It has the same suspender tapes over the
shoulders as the simple underwaist with buttons at the ends so that
trousers or skirts can be buttoned on. There are under-arm tapes as
well with metal pinning tubes for the attachment of hose supporters.
These suits have three-button drop seats in the rear for use of the
bathroom. Note that the suits are identical for the boy and girl. The
ad copy at the bottom of the page reads:
"Nazareth Waist Union Suit. Introduced years ago, this three-in-one
undergarment has continued to give satisfaction because it saves you
time. labor and money. One garment to put on, wash and buy instead of
three separate undergarments [i.e. undershirt, underdrawers, and
underwaist]. Sizes 2 to 15 years for boys and girls."
At the bottom of the ad there is a bonus for children who wear Nazareth
waists or waist union suits:
"Send for Nazareth Doll Cut-Outs. Two dolls in color, with two costume
changes for each one, enclose two cent stamp." Nazareth Waist Co.,
Dept. K, Nazareth, Pa." This seems a bonus aimed more at girls than boys.
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