Figure 1.--This Sears 1941-42 catalog page offered waist suits.
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Figure 1.--This Sears 1941-42 catalog page offered waist suits. |
As late as the early and mid 1940s, Sears was still advertising a wide variety of children's waist suits, worn by both boys and girls (sometims in different models for the two genders but not always). These suits were mostly union suits with both long and short legs (some also having short sleeves) that were designed not only as winter underwear but also with buttons for attaching outer clothing such as short pants and skirts and with garter tabs for attaching hose supporters so that long stockings could be worn without the use of a separate garter waist. (This is why they were called waist suits.) Most of these suits were meant for children between the ages of 2 and 12, but one model of waist union suit was advertised for boys and girls as old as 16, which suggests that at least in a few cases boys as old as 16 still wore long stockings.
The Sears, Roebuck and Co., huge merchandising firm centered in Chicago was founded by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and A.C. Roebuck (1864-1948). Sears had begun a career in mail-order business in Minnesota 1886. In Chicago he and Roebuck joined resources and formed a corporation in 1893 as a mail-order business under title Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1895 Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) bought Roebuck's interest in firm and became
president on Sears's retirement 1908. A retail-store system was added 1925. The first foreign store added in Havana, Cuba during 1945 and becane te first expropriated store in 1960. The Sears-Roebuck brought the production of industry to the fartherest corner of rural America, opening the cornucopia of the consumer age to rural America. All the
new things that were changing American life danced across their pages. Through it, a huge Chicago warehouse offers to modernize the farms and small towns of the
Midwest.
As late as the early and mid 1940s, Sears was still advertising a wide variety of children's waist suits, worn by both boys and girls (sometims in different models for the two genders but not always). These suits were mostly union suits with both long and short legs (some also having short sleeves) that were designed not only as winter underwear but also with buttons for attaching outer clothing such as short pants and skirts and with garter tabs for attaching hose supporters so that long stockings could be worn without the use of a separate garter waist. (This is why they were called waist suits.)
Most of these suits were meant for children between the ages of 2 and 12, but one model of waist union suit was advertised for boys and girls as old as 16, which suggest that at least in a few cases boys as old as 16 still wore long stockings.
This was page 192 in the Sears Fall and Winter, 1941-42 catalog.
The ad copy read, " Always a hit with Youngsters 2 to 12, 63 c. Each. 3 for $1.84.
These "Extras" Make Handywear the Best in its Class. True heavyweight, closely knit fine cotton for real warmth and comfort. Extra strong select cotton, with light, soft fleecing on the inside to hold the heat in Extra fine ribbed knit stitch, clings to the body--has lots of easy stretch and allows plenty of action-freedom Extra fabric in the specially designed full tailored seat for greater comfort Extra fine finish in every detail. Strap reinforcements, flatbacked seams, fine bartacking ... relieve any strain on the garment
itself. Convenient taped-on buttons for outer clothing. Rustproof tubes for pinning garters. Plus your choice of Gripper Front and Lastex-top Seat [or] Button Front
and 3-button Drop Seat. It Pays to Buy Our Best Cotton Waist Suits! The average child subjects an undergarment to more strain in a day than an adult could give it in a week! Handywear can take lots of hard wear. That's why thousands of wise mothers choose these waist suits year after year! They know they're not only warmer and better fitting than most
cotton waist wuits, but they find Handywear actually less expensive because they give so much wear! Knit in a close ribbed stitch that provides a snug fit. "East-to-manage" lastex-top or 3-button drop seat. Expertly tailored throughout. Color: White. Sizes: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. State size. See Size Scale on Page 289. Shipping weight, each, 15 ounces; 3 suits, 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Ankle length ... Long sleeves ... High neck
16K7087--Button front; button drop seat, 16K7137--Gripper front; lastex top seat.
Ankle Length ... Short Sleeves ... Dutch Neck 16K7085--Button front; button drop seat,
16K7136--Gripper front; lastex top seat. Short Leg ... Short Sleeves ... Dutch Neck
16K7094--Button front, button drop seat, 16K7139--Gripper front; lastex top seat.
Trunk Length ... Short Sleeves ... Dutch Neck 16K7092--Button front; button drop seat,
16K7138--Gripper front; lastex top seat."
The ad copy read, "For Boys and Girls 2 to 12 years, 49c Each 3 for $1,42 Button Holes are Knit-in ... They won't Tear Out. Choice of Lastex Top Seat or 3-Button Seat. You'll be delighted with the wear and warmth of these waist suits, low priced for such heavyweight ... made of select quality cotton that's made for long wear. Lightly fleeced on the inside to give them that "cosy" feel that youngsters love. Ribbed knit in a close stitch that keeps in the warmth and stretches just enough to allow plenty of freedom ... and that's important!
The button holes are knit-in ... they won't tear even if they get heavy wear! Full cut and neatly tailored throughout. Smooth flatlocked seams that stand up under heavy strain. Taped-on buttons. Strap reinforcements front and back. Button front style and choice of Lastex top seat of 3-button seat styles. [HBC note: These suits also are equipped with garter tabs for the attachment of hose supporters.] Color: White. Sizes: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. State size. Be sure you order correct size. See Page 289 for easy measuring instructions. Shipping weight, each, 13 ounces; 3 suits, 1 pound, 12 ounces.
Short Legs, Short Sleeves, Dutch Neck. 16 K 7081--Button drop seat, 16 K 7083--Lastex top seat. Ankle Length, Short Sleeves, Dutch Neck 16 K 7084--Button drop seat 16 K 7086--Lastext top seat. Ankle Length, Long Sleeves, High Neck, 16 K 7080--Button drop seat,
16 K 7082--Lastex top seat.
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