|
We note an early version of the Sampson Suspender Waist for boys. The newspaper ad appeared in the Middletown Daily Argus, Middletown, New York (July 13, 1897) page 4. This in an example of an early version of the Sampson Suspender Waist for Boys. It is an important ad historically for the HBC support garments coverage.
The illustration shows how this multiple purpose waist holds up knee trousers, under drawers, and long stockings. There are heavy buttons to which trousers and underwear can be attached and additional buttons for hose supporters for stockings. The garters, purchased separately, would be attached to side buttons rather than by safety-pins.
This version of the famous suspender waist was sold by Morris B. Wolf,
a dry goods store at 10 North Street in Middletwon, New York. Notice
that the patent for this waist is given as 23 June 1896, only a year
before the advertisement.
Here is the text of the ad cpy, "Sampson Suspender Waist. By Using this New Patent for Boys, You do
away with the Underwaist. No buttons coming off of waist or pants. It Holds up Pants, Drawers and Long Stockings.
Morris B. Wolf, 10 North Street, [Middletown, New York]." No price is specified but in later ads for the Sampson Waist, the price was about $1.00 or less.
The waist consists of elastic suspenders with adustable buckles and a cross strap to keep the straps from slipping off a boy's shoulders. The shoulder straps are sewn onto waist band which is shaped like a V in front, in the back, and at both sides over the hips. The V straps have strong tabs on all four sides with two buttons on each, the top button for buttoning on drawers and the bottom button (on each side) for supporters. The suspender straps also have a button attachment for buttoning onto button-holes of the trousers--two in front and two in back. A rather complicated garment because of all the
buttons. But suspender waists were designed for boys of all ages from 4 to about 16--that is, for all boys who were dressed in knee pants and needed to wear long stockings. If a boy wore a union suit (as many did) the underwear buttons would be superfluous. The underwear buttons are only present because some boys wore underpants or drawers before the age when waistbands were make of elastic and needed buttons to hold them up.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing catalog/magazine pages:
[Return to the Main American mail order 1887 page]
[Return to the Main American mail order 1880s page]
[Return to the Main U.S. catalog chronology page]
[Main photo/publishing page]
[Store catalogs]
[Fashion magazines]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Cloth and textiles]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Headwear]
[Sailor hats]
[Dresses]
[Kilts]
[Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits]
[Sailor suits]
[Rompers]
[Tunics]
[Smocks]
[Pinafores]
[Coats]
[Long stockings]
[Underwear]
