Figure 1.--This photograph was titled "First Suspenders". The boy in 1904 is clearly pleased with himself. Notice the buttons on the waisband of his trousers. Also note that boys who wore suspenders had to tuck their sweaters into their pants. Click on the image for a fuller discussion.

Age significantly affected the type of trouser suspension. This is basically anatomical. Younger boys do not have prominant waistlines. Thus belts are not very effective methods of trouser suspension. The youngest children for many years did not even wear trousers. Little boys in the 19th century wore dresses or other skirted garments like tunics, smocks, and pinakors that were supported from the shoulders. Somewhat older children might war button-on garments. Here garments like skirts and trousers mkight be supported by buttoning them on to garmenmts supported from the shoulders. This could be a blouse or a form of unbderwaist. American manufacturers offerd underwaists in a large range ofstles. They were also used to support long stockings. In the 19th and early-2oth century, a boy's first suspenders were a major step in growing up. It mean that he no longer had to wear button-on clothing. The age varied from family to family. Belts did not become common until after World war I. And even then, many boys did not wear them until about 10 yeas of age.

Created: 3:57 AM 6/5/2010
Last updated: 3:58 AM 6/5/2010