Figure 1.--Another three Sears shorts sets were labeled money savers as they only cost 50c each. Other than that, again there does not appear to be any common features. Presumably the materials and workmanship are similar.
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Figure 1.--Another three Sears shorts sets were labeled money savers as they only cost 50c each. Other than that, again there does not appear to be any common features. Presumably the materials and workmanship are similar. |
Another three Sears shorts sets were labeled money savers as they only cost 50c each. Other than that, again there does not appear to be any common features. Presumably the materials and workmanship are similar.
Here we see three different shorts sets among the many styles offered by Sears in a 1941 catalog.
Sailor suits were a perenial favorite, but by 1941 mostly worn by younger boys. The Sears ad copy read, "Washfast Cotton Linene Suit with nautical braid trimmed collar. Whistle on cord. Buttob-on pants with belt." Sizes 2-6. The set was done in skipper blue and white. 59c. The cotton linene hat was 29c extra. Note he discussion of fabric below about the use iof terms like linene to suggest the use of linen.
The standout feature of this set was tghe zipper. The ad copy read, "Tailored in better quality 100x60 Cotton Broacloth. Jiffy quick Crown zipper cloing up front. Applique on waist (blouse). Contrasting piping trim. Button-on panys." Sizes 26 years. The suit was available in rust (shown), green, and yellow. 50c.
This is one of several sets where the boys did not have to tuck in the shirt. The others were long pants sets. The Sears ad copy read, "In-or-Outer Shirt with smart saddle-stitched collar. Elastic-back Shorts have belt with buckle. Suit is nicely tailored in better wasfast. Cotton Poplin, a smooth, long wearing fabric. Always looks neat and trim." Sizes 2-6. Done in tan (shown) and skipper blue. 59c
You'd think that "linene" was a typo, but it was used by Sears and others at the time. Many reputable manufacturers tried to protect their brands and use precise fabric terms. Many took out trade marks and brand names in an effort to idetify the quality of their products. Other manufacturers tied to mislead consumers. Here there were often effoirts to suggest the use of expensive fabrics, especially linnen, silk, and wool. Some of the names adopted included such as: artificial silk [rayon], butcher linen, linene (note use here), linette, satine, satinette, silkene, and silkette. Gradually trade groups and the Government developed standards concerning the use of these terms.
A HBC reader writes, "Note that the shorts button on even though
they also come with a belt. So there may be outfits that appear they are held up by a belt when the belt was primarily for show. It does create a dilemma for assessing pictures." This is a good point. The ad copy usually specified button-on styling, but we do not always have the ad copy. In addition there is no way of telling in most snapshots ans portraits. A further point is why the nelt was added. Apparently the designer felt the outfit looked better with a belt. We are not sure how mothers looked at this. We suspect that many boys preferred the belt look.
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