Figure 1.-- A HBC reader provided us scans of American boys underpants worn about 1900, although the date is just a guess. The garment of course is undated. What is interesting is how completely different and more complicated underpants were from modern underwear. This made getting dresses much more complicated for children, especially younger children, than is the case today. Getting dressed must have been a bit of an ordeal for younger children before elasticized waist underpants were available (1930s).

Vintage clothing is especially imprtant in dealing with underwear. Underwear s of curse covered up in the photograpgic ecord. A HBC reader provided us scans of American boys underpants worn about 1900, although the date is just a guess. The garment of course is undated. What is interesting is how completely different and more complicated underpants were from modern underwear. This made getting dresses much more complicated for children, especially younger children, than is the case today. Getting dressed must have been a bit of an ordeal for younger children before elasticized waist underpants were available (1930s). We think the 25 inch waist here equates to something like a modern child 6-8 year old. The underpants had a fly so we know they were suitable for boys. Although this is so basic, these pants seem suitable for both boys and girls. Notice the button holes, but lack of buttons. These underpants would have buttoned to a waist (underwaist or panti-waist hence the name). These waists were very common garments into the 1930s. We are a little unsure about the fact that there are only buttonholes in the front. We expected to find both front and back button holes. A HBC contributor offers this explanation, "This is my guess: The back probably worked like a drop seat with some way to use the waist side buttons to hold the front and the back. You attach the front first and then the back to the same buttons so you can unbutton to relieve yourself. I suspect parents did that the most." I can recall as a 6 year old having trouble learning to tie my shoe laces. I can't imagine having this looming disaster looming over my head.