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Underwear was still rather complicated in the 1920s, especially for younger children. This was primarily because of the popularity of button-on styling and because long stockings were still being worn. Children commonly wore union suits. There were styles for both boys and girls and both summer and winter styles. Actually boys' underwear didn't change much between 1915 and 1925. Waist suits had pretty much the same design and the same basic features. There were, however, major changes which began in the late 1920s.
Here we have Sears, Spring and Summer catalog, p. 229. There's quite a bit of variety. The age limits are from little boys (beginning at2 years old) up to youths (about 16-17 years old), but the age limits are not the same for all the models. Note that correct sizing and comfortable fit are emphasized in most cases, since nothing could be more uncomfortable than a union suit that was either too tight or two loose, especially in the more form-fitting, knitted models. It is interesting that correct fit and economy are linked as correlative factors.
Here are five different styles of underwaists, advertised in Ward's Fall and Winter catalog for 1924-25, p. 98. Underwaists were widely worn by both boys and girls in the 1920s. Most of these garments are unisex, but one model has lace edging and seems to have been designed to appeal to girls. All of these waists have waist buttons for attaching panties, bloomers, skirts, or short trousers, and most of them are also equipped with garter tabs so that hose supporters for long stockings can be attached. Some of these waists are knitted and fit the upper body closely, while others are made of cambric and are somewhat looser and cooler. All of these waists are made in age sizes from 2 to 12.
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