Figure 1.--This is one of the Sears pages offering long stockings in the Fall-Winter 1929-30 catalogs (page 19). Note the wide variety of stockings offered. And this was only one of the hosiery pages. |
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This page offered fancy patterened long stockings. There are sporty long stockings in various patterns--plaids, broad ribbing, diamond shapes, etc. The heading for the entire page is "Childrens Winter Wool Hosiery" and just underneath is an illustration of a boy and girl of school age, probably about 12-14. These stockings appear to be for both boys and girls although I think girls probably wore the patterned stockings more frequently than the boys. Despite the attention given to these patterened stockings, we rarely note them in the photographic record, suggesting that they were not very commonly worn.
This page offered fancy patterened long stockings. There are sporty long stockings in various patterns--plaids, broad ribbing, diamond shapes, etc.
Despite the attention given to these patterened stockings (an entire page), we rarely note them in the photographic record, suggesting that they were not very commonly worn and apparently did not sell well. As far as we can tell, they disappear from the catalogs after a brief appearance in 1928-32. There seems to have been some resistance by boys to wearing long stockings during this period, probably because of the necessity to wear garter waists or underwaists with supporters attached. I wonder if the brighter patterns were introduced to make long stockings more agreeable to boys--more sporty and masculine, perhaps. Or was the appeal really more to girls who would be wearing long stockings anyway and wanted hosiery that was a
bit flashier and bold.
The heading for the entire page is "Childrens Winter Wool Hosiery" and just underneath is an illustration of a boy and girl of school age, probably about 12-14. These stockings appear to be for both boys and girls although I think girls probably wore the patterned stockings more frequently than the boys. Boys, however, did sometimes wear patterned long stockings. HBC records an unidentified boy at Hull House in Chicago wearing plaid long stockings in the late 1920s or early 1930s.
We are not entirly sure about the chronology of these patterened stockings. We also note Sears offering similar novelty stockings" for both boys and girls in 1928. This is the erliest that we note them. We also note German boy in 1938 wearing patterned long stockings.
Sears patterned long stockings for "sports wear" were of course worn
with hose supporters like ordinary plain-color stockings (those shown
on pp. 18 and 19 of the same catalog), but they might have appealed to
boys for wear with knickers since patterned knee socks gradually became
fashionable during the early 1930s. One feature worth noting is the
"double garter tops"--extra reinforcement of the stocking at the point
where the clasp of the hose supporter might cause wear and tear.
Interestingly, this feature is not mentioned with the more dressy,
single-color stockings worn for dress occasions. The sports long
stockings may have been of thicker or heavier texture that would have
some effect on durability at the top where garters were attached.
Here is the ad copy for the various offerings. The page heading is "Childrens Winter Wool Hosiery". There is no reference to the patterns, but this seems to be the common feature of the hosiery here.
The ad copy read, "59 cents Postpaid. About One-Third Wool. 86T2678--Patterns similar to illustration. State pattern letter. Sizes 6 to 10. State size. We Pay Postage. The first time that these new diagonal patterns have been used in children's wool hose! These are really high type stockings, soft
textured, fine and warm. Knit of one-third wool, with balance Rayon and mercerized cotton. Skillfully patterned in an open stitch, color striped diamond design. Reinforced mercerized cotton toes and heels.
Seamless feet.
The ad copy read, "Wool and Rayon 59 cents Postpaid, Half Wool, Half Rayon. Popular Ribbed Style. Now Finer in Texture. 86T1683--Patterns similar to illustration. State pattern letter. Sizes
6 to 9 1/2. State size. We Pay the Postage. Our best quality in children's ribbed wool hose. A really handsome stocking, with the warm springy softness of wool and the rich, silky luster of Rayon! Made of one-half wool and one-half Rayon. Ribbed for smartness and smooth, close clinging protection. Fine enough for dress, sturdy enough for everyday. Reinforced toes and heels.
The ad copy read, "48 cents Postpaid. Very fine Quality.
86T2574--Patterns similar to illustration. State pattern letter. Sizes
7 1/2 to 10. State size. We Pay the Postage.
Our best Rayon and cotton sports hose for children. Made of better
Rayon! Of the finer, mercerized cotton. Fast color in more beautiful,
richest style. Made in new, last minute patterns, faultless in taste,
lovely, in-style stockings. More finely knit in even, well-stitched
texture! Better than averaage quality in every way! These are really
handsome stockings, knit with bright, lustrous Rayon outside, fine
cotton within. Reinforced at heels, toes and double garter tops."
This is the item that dominates the center of the page. The illustration shows girl in a dress and a boy wearing knickers. Notice the girl wears light colors with the ribbing more apparent while the boy wears dark long stockings. The ad copy reads, "About 1/2 Wool 48 cents a Pair Postpaid. Fancy Ribbed Half Wool Hose
of Excellent Make.
86T2691--Black.
86T2692--Brown.
86T1693--Champagne.
86T2694--French tan.
Sizes, 6 to 10. State size. We Pay the Postage.
Our best seller! Because they're excellent values! Knit of pure, soft,
long staple yarns, half wool, half cotton. Ribbed straight to the toe.
Reinforced toes and heel. Seamless feet. Made to fit. Here is
quality above standard in every way!" There is note in a colored box, "See Page 24 For Other Winter Weight Hosiery for Children."
The ad copy read, "For Comfort and Wear. 42 cents a Pair Postpaid. Attractive School
Plaids. Part Wool with Rayon. Specially Priced.
86T2659--Patterns similar to illustration. State pattern letter. Sizes
7 to 10. State size. We Pay Postage.
Our own particular value! Specially made to offer wool warmth and
bright pleasant style at very low prices! A good warm close knit
stocking of fine flat texture, crossed with bright Rayon stripes. Knit
of Rayon and cotton with a small amount of wool. Sturdy cotton
reinforcement at heels and toes. Double garter tops."
The ad copy read, "Fancy Anklets. 48 cents Postpaid. About 2/3 Wool With Rayon. 86T2807--Colors as illustrated. State color letter. Sizes 6 to 9 1/2. State size. We Pay the Postage. Snug, welcome warmth around the foot and ankle! Soft, luster, flecked wool texture! Our own, specially designed rib knit instep. The gayest, jolliest, "comfyest anklet for children! Knit of about two-thirds wool, balance Rayon. Reinforced heels and toes." The anklets or ankle socks illustrated are also apparently intended for both boys and girls since "children" rather than girls are specified. But the illustration shows a girl's strap shoes with anklets. If boys wore these anklets, they were probably very young boys no older than
six. Throughout the two earliest decades of the twentieth century, only very young boys wore ankle socks. Mothers mostly felt that schoolboys should wear either long stockings or knee socks, although we
have some images that show boys going barefoot to school and showing bare legs, especially in rural or economically depressed areas of the country.
We thought at first glance that these were knee socks, but they are also long stockings, th lowest priced stockings on the page. The ad copy read, "25 cents Postpaid. 86T2575--Patterns similar to illustration. State pattern letter. Sizes 7 1/2 to 9 1/2. State size. We Pay Postage. Our lowest priced and our best selling quality in children's sports hose. So popular that we take special care to make it a really
exceptional money's worth. This is the finest possible style that we could obtain for the price! The interesting tone patterns are brightened with touches of vivid color. These are soft, sell shaped
stockings knit all of fine, long staple cotton, reinforced at heels and toes. Double garter top, seamless feet. Splendid worthwhile value for the money.
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