Figure 1.--Here are four different support garments offered by Wards in 1900. For the most part, are not specific to gender. Both boys and girls could wear the first three garments, whereas the fourth is exclusively for boys.

Here we have four different models of support garments that, for the most part, are not specific to gender. Both boys and girls could wear the first three garments, whereas the fourth is exclusively for boys. They appeared in the Wards Fall and Winter catalog (1900-1901), p. 979. The first three items here are garter waists although the term "garter waist" wasn't generally used at this time and only came into general parlance in the 1920s and afterwards.

Garter Waists

These items appeared in Wards Fall and Winter catalog (1900-1901), p. 979. The first three items here are garter waists although the term "garter waist" wasn't generally used at this time and only came into general parlance in the 1920s and afterwards. This category applies to a broad variety of devices for holding up long stockings. Theoretically it would apply to any garment worn on the upper body used for this purpose (including underwaists, pantywaists, and suspender waists). But HBC uses the term to apply specifically to waists with hose supporters already attached, even though in some cases these supporters are detachable. Most of these garments are designed to have the strain of the garters carried by the child’s shoulders. Some have waistbands and some do not, but all are worn under the outer clothing and therefore as a species of children’s underwear. One of the first such garments we notice was in the Sears 1902 catalog Sears refers to a "combination belt and supporter, but the garment was essentially a garter waist. The use of different terms somewhat complicates the assessment if the garments. Interestingly, even when the wearing of long stockings was supposedly declining in the late 1930s and early 1940s, a proliferation of styles of garter waist became very prominent in the Sears and Wards catalogs of this period. We have more different styles for this period than for any other on HBC. A good example is the Sears 1939 garter waists.

Gender

Here we have four different models of support garments that, for the most part, are not specific to gender. Both boys and girls could wear the first three garments, whereas the fourth is exclusively for boys.

Individual Items

Here we have the four different garments. Notice the great vaiation in the construction and features.

Richmond's Twentieth Century Waist and Hose Supporter for Boys and Girls

This item shows a garter waist consisting of shoulder straps with a cross piece to hold the straps in place, a waist band which has multiple layers of buttons in front and at the sides, and hose supporters with Y-shapped pendants attached to the waist band. The three vertical buttons in front and on the sides are for additional garments--trousers, skirts, blouses, and the like. It comes in black or white. The Wards ad copy read, "S 2280 Richmond's Twentieth Century Waist and Hose Supporter for Boys and Girls; absolutely perfect, fits to perfection; besides the security hose supporter, has an adjustable waistband, on which the child's other garments are attached with buttons that won't come off. Made in black and white; age 2 to 12 years. Each 25 cents."

Royal Combined Waist and Hose Supporters

I'm not sure what royal meant, presumably it was the name of the company which manufactured the garment. The item here is a different style of garter waist consisting of adjustable suspender straps with a wide waist band to which waist buttons are sewn so that skirts, drawers, knee pants, and the like can be buttoned on. The waistband also features two hose supporters with double pendants--one on each side of the waist. This garter waist is made for children up to the age of 16 years of age. It comes in black and white. The Wards ad copy read, "S 2283 The royal Combined Waist and Hose Supporters, made in black and white and in sizes to fit children from 2 to 16 years of age. They are eadjustable and support the whole weight of skirts, drawers and pants, as well as stockings, from the shoulders, so the waistband should be loose and easy; good material and workmanship; two garments in one and at the price of one. Size 1: 2 to 4 years. Size 2: 4 to 6 years. Size 3: 6 to 8 years. Size 4: 8 to 10 years. Size 5: 10 to 16 years. In ordering give color and size wanted. Each $ .40. Per dozen $4.00"

Victor Waist and Hose Supporter

This third item is a different quality version of the second, being made of sateen, but is made in sizes only up to 12 years of age. The Ward's ad copy read, "S 2287 Victor Waist and Hose Supporter, made of best sateen and lisle elastic; sizes 2 to 12 years; order according to age; black and white. See cut. Per dozen $2.75 Each 25 cents."

The Tomboy Patent Pants and Drawers Supporter

This item seems to be designed for boys only and is referred to as the "Tomboy Patent Pants and Drawers Supporter" This is apparently not a garter waist because no garters are shown, although there may be provision for attaching separately purchased supporters at the sides. This garment is simply a pair of suspenders with a waist band to which the outer clothing (knee pants and under drawers) can be attached by buttons. The Ward's ad copy read, "S 2290 The Tomboy Patent Pants and Drawers Supporter. No more buttons tearing off, no more washing required, and acts as suspender and brace at same time. Sizes 4 to 14 years. Per pair $ .25. Per doz. $2.70."

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