Figure 1.--Thiw is the "Boys' Special Double Ve Waist". Ward's Spring-Summer catalog (1900), p. 977. This is an underwaist for boys aged 2 to 12 years of age with a system of tape reinforcement straps to which waist buttons are attached so that knee pants can be buttoned on (front, sides, and back). The llustration shows a boy of about 12 putting on his shoes (notice that they are ankle high boots).

This garment should be classified as an Underwaist. Although it has provision for attaching supporters, no garters come with the garment. It is referred to as a "Boys' Special Double Ve Waist". Ward's Spring catalog (1900), p. 977. This is an underwaist for boys aged 2 to 12 years of age with a system of tape reinforcement straps to which waist buttons are attached so that knee pants can be buttoned on (front, sides, and back). The front and side buttons are sewn onto the tape strips in front and on the sides and are stationary. But the three back waist buttons are sewn onto elastic extensions of the tape straps so that they stretch like boys' suspenders and therefore have greater flexibility.

Underwaist

This garment should be classified as an Underwaist. It is referred to as a "Boys' Special Double Ve Waist". Ward's Spring-Summer catalog (1900), p. 977. Underwaists were another type of support garment. Underwaists (sometimes called panty-waists) were worn by younger boys and girls to support additional underwear (such as bloomers or panties) or outer clothing (such as trousers or skirts). These bodices tended to be worn by boys only until about age 10, although some models came in ages for boys as old as 12. Some models were specifically for girls and others for boys, but the great majority of styles could be worn by both boys and girls. They tended to be made of elastic knitted fabric (and therefore rather form-fitting) or of cambric material and a bit looser. They nearly always were equipped with reinforcement straps, waist buttons, and garter tabs for attaching hose supporters. The popularity of underwaists declined in the later 1930s and early 1940s although they were still available, usually in the preferred knitted style, up until about 1945. When long stockings stopped being worn by school children, the main function of the underwaist ceased to exist.

Construction

Although it has provision for attaching supporters, no garters come with the garment. This is an underwaist for boys aged 2 to 12 years of age with a system of tape reinforcement straps to which waist buttons are attached so that knee pants can be buttoned on (front, sides, and back). The front and side buttons are sewn onto the tape strips in front and on the sides and are stationary. But the three back waist buttons are sewn onto elastic extensions of the tape straps so that they stretch like boys' suspenders and therefore have greater flexibility.

Getting Dressing

The illustration shows a boy of about 12 putting on his shoes (notice that they are ankle high boots). He has already put on his long stockings and attached them to the supporters which are also attached to the waist underneath his trousers. The knee pants are put on after the stockings and attached to the waist buttons in front, on the sides, and in back. We can't see the attachment for hose supporters in this illustration, but undoubtedly the supporters fasten to the waist at the sides either by buttons or by safety pins and of course are worn underneath the boys' knee pants. This boy appears to be wearing a long-sleeved undershirt or union suit with the washable sleeveless waist on top. The "double ve" consists of two triangles of reinforcement material at the sides of waist to which buttons for trousers and garters are attached. They are mostly hidden because the boy has already put the trousers on. Illustrations like this are useful in understanding how boys dressed. We have used them for our Getting Dressed project.

Ad Copy

The Wards ad copy read, "Boys' Special Double Ve Waists" T 6965 This Waist is constructed especially for boys' wear. It is very strong and durable; all the ubttons are fastened on tape except the back ones, to which the pants are attached, which are fastened on elastic, and will not pull off. Buttons are detachable for washing. Same in shape as T 6959. For boys from 2 to 12 years. Age represents size. Nothing better made. White only. Each $ .50. Per dozen $5.50.

Purchasing Waists

Note that these waists were sold by the dozen at a saving of 50 cents indicates that mothers might buy them in quantity for several boys in her family, insuring a good supply when the dirty ones were being laundered.

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Created: 9:43 PM 7/5/2006
Last updated: 9:43 PM 7/5/2006