Figure 1.-- This ad offered summer underwear ad for fathers, sons, and daughters. The manufacturer is Topkis Athletic Underwear. All the models are sleeveless summer union suits made of light fabric similar to nainsook. There are four models shown: 1. boys' or girls' waist union suits; 2. Men's union suits; 3. girls' bloomer union suits; and 4. boys' untaped athletic union suits. The ad appeared in the "Ladies Home Journal" for May 1925, page 72. The Topkis Brothers company was located in Wilmington, Delaware, with a general sales office at 95 Worth St. at Broadway, New York City.

This ad offered summer underwear ad for fathers, sons, and daughters. The manufacturer is Topkis Athletic Underwear. All the models are sleeveless summer union suits made of light fabric similar to nainsook. There are four models shown: 1. boys' or girls' waist union suits; 2. Men's union suits; 3. girls' bloomer union suits; and 4. boys' untaped athletic union suits. The ad appeared in the Ladies Home Journal for May 1925, page 72. The Topkis Brothers company was located in Wilmington, Delaware, with a general sales office at 95 Worth St. at Broadway, New York City.

Ladies Home Journal

The E-Z Waists were a popular brand that was extensively advertized in the 1910s and 20s. The E-Z Waists Company used popular ladies magazines. This advertisement appeared in the Ladies' Home Journal May, 1925 (p. 130). As the oldest still publishing, most respected women's service magazine in the country, The Ladies' Home 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 Ladies Home 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 Ladies Home Journal who sucessfully merged the elements and produced the right formula, becoming the top ladies magazine in America. The Ladies' Home Journal both empowered women and applauded their growing power. We also notice patterns offered in the magazine.

Topkis Athletic Underwear

The manufacturer is Topkis Athletic Underwear. This is not a company we know much about yet. The Topkis Brothers company was located in Wilmington, Delaware, with a general sales office at 95 Worth St. at Broadway, New York City.

Product Line

This ad offered summer underwear ad for fathers, sons, and daughters. All the models are sleeveless summer union suits made of light fabric similar to nainsook. There are four models shown: 1. boys' or girls' waist union suits; 2. Men's union suits; 3. girls' bloomer union suits; and 4. boys' untaped athletic union suits. The ad appeared in the Ladies Home Journal for May 1925, page 72.

Ad Copy

The ad copy read, "One Dollar for Men's Union Suits. Do you by men's underwear? If so, we want you to see Topkis--for in this brand you will find wonderful value in men's union suis, at $1.00. Just ask your dealer to show you the Dollar topkis. Look at the fabric--fine quality, like high-priced undewear. Note the cut--full, no skimping. Examine buttons, buttonholes, stitching, every detail--real tailor-work there! Men like Topkis--it fits! 75 cents for Children's Waist Union Suits. Mothers are turning to Topkis Underwear. For Topkis is modern. In it little bodies can play in perfect freedom. Topkis is health-building underwear. It hangs confortably from the shoulders, allows free circulation, and lets the skin breathe. The Topkis Waist Union Suit shortens the task of dressing and saves mother's time. [Presumably the advertiser means that a waist union suit contains three garments in one--i.e., undershirt, underpants, and waist for buttoning trousers and for attaching supporters for long stockings. The boy has to put on only a single garment, which takes less time.] Cut full and roomy, especially in the seat. Pin-check fabric of fine, soft texture and exeptional wearing qualities, yet priced but 75 cents. Sizes 2 to 12. [Girls and boys older than 12 often wore long stockings but didn't need waist buttons for trousers and skirts.] 75 cents for Girls' Bloomer Union Suits. Topkis Bloomer Suits are cut full and allow perfect freedom of motion. Yet the soft, dainty pin-check fabric lies smooth, with no marring of the lines of pretty little frocks. You will marvel at the way Topkis lasts, how it launders, for its value for so little as 75 cents. Sizes 2 to 12. [The suit is not a waist suit and therefore does not have waist buttons and garter tabs. Girls wearing this suit would need a separate waist for these purposes.] 75 cents for Boys' Athletic Union Suits. Real boys wear Topkis Athletic Underwear--like Dad's. Buy Topkis Boys' Union Suits --healthful, manly underwear made to stand rough-and-tumble play. Free and easy all over--just what the boy wants. Sizes 24 to 36 [chest sizes, or roughly, ages 8 to 16]. If your Dealer doesn't have Topkis, write us. Ask for the illustrated booklet. Topkis Brothers Company, Wilmington, Delaware. General Sales Office, 95 Worth St at Broadway, New York City"

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Created: 6:26 AM 5/10/2006
Last updated: 6:26 AM 5/10/2006