Figure 1.--This ad is revealing because it shows a very early example of the suspender waist. It is interesting because it provides more information about how this particular suspender waist was constructed. Notice that the appeal is to mothers who want to free their sons from more primitive waists that "bind the arms, waist or any part of the body." |
This ad is revealing because it shows a very early example of the
suspender waist. It is interesting because it provides more information about how this particular suspender waist was constructed. Notice that the appeal is to mothers who want to free
their sons from more primitive waists that "bind the arms, waist or any part of the body." The sizes involved are for boys from 2 to 14 years of age. This waist is somewhat more complex in construction than the Kazoo suspender waist which appears to have sold more widely at a slightly later date. Note that it has attachments for holding up knee trousers, underdrawers, and supporters for long stockings. The ad copy describes the features offered.
We know nothing about this company other than Sampson was a brand name and it was located in New York City.
This ad appeared in the Youth's Companion (March 28, 1901, p. 167). It was subsequenhtky repeated several times. The Youth's Companion described itself as "An Illustrated Weekly Paper For Young People and the Family." It was established in 1827. The magazine was published in Boston, Massachusetts, by the Perry Mason Company, 201 Columbus Avenue. It appeared under this title until 1929. It was in the late 19th century one of the most popular weekly periodicals in America and known for the quality of the writing. The magazine catered to teen-age boys and girls especially, containing articles on sports, on hobbies, and on various literary and cultural interests. But it was really a family magazine and had many advertisements for clothing, both adult and children's. The magagazine had a very strict policy about the advertising carried because its readers were mostly children.
Suspender waists were a support garment to hold up other garments. So-called “suspender waists” were invented at the turn of the 20th century and were popular mainly with boys who wore knee pants and needed a way of supporting their long stockings—almost always black. Although some models of the suspender waist (such as Kazoo) were manufactured in styles that could be worn also by girls, the main wearers of these waists were boys. They were called “suspender waists” because they combined trousers suspenders with hose supporters and had leather suspender attachments for holding up knee pants in addition to hose supporters for long stockings. The style did not last very long and was most popular during the 1910s. N.B. Suspender waists are not to be confused with the older style of garter waists (such as the Dr. Parker waist) which also had suspender-like straps over the shoulders, a waist belt (sometimes with waist buttons for outer clothing), and hose supporters. With true suspender waists only the garter part of the waist can be classified as underwear because the shoulder straps would be visible (like ordinary modern suspenders) on top of a shirt.
This ad is revealing because it shows a very early example of the
suspender waist. It is interesting because it provides more information about how this particular suspender waist was constructed. Notice that the appeal is to mothers who want to free
their sons from more primitive waists that "bind the arms, waist or any part of the body." The sizes involved are for boys from 2 to 14 years of age. This waist is somewhat more complex in construction than the Kazoo suspender waist which appears to have sold more widely at a slightly later date. Note that it has attachments for holding up knee trousers, underdrawers, and supporters for long stockings. The ad copy describes the features offered. "Samson Suspender Waist. Mothers of Boys! Here is just what you have been looking for. An article that combines both suspender and waist. Does
not bind the arms, waist or any part of the body--weight of clothing borne by shoulders. Gives to every motion of the body and buttons cannot pull off. Can be worn with either shirt waist or blouse [i.e. either a shirt with waist buttons or a blouse that comes down over the waist of the trousers]--buttons properly placed for both drawers [i.e., underwear drawers] and trousers. Side loops for hose supporters [i.e. cloth loops through which the pins of the hose
supporters can be fastened]. Hygienic, Scientific and Practical. Does not need washing; not soon outgrown; very cool for summer wear. Strongly made, of best materials throughout. Practically indestructible. Sizes, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 years, 50 cents; 12 and 14 years, 65 cents. If your dealer does not keep them, send direct to the manufacturers. Knother Bros., 122 and 124 Fifth
Avenue, New York."
We note another Samson suspender waist, it was a 1919 ad. A reader writes, "Isn't it curious that there should be such a wide gap between the two ads--1901 and 1919 (18 years)? In all my reserach on suspender waists, these are the only two ads for Samson that I have found, and I've looked quite hard for them. I think Samson must have sold much less well than the Kazoo, of which there were repeated ads. Maybe this is because the Samson suspender waist looks so much more complicated to wear."
There were different brands of suspender waists. Catalog stores sold some that were not branded, but advertizing and some catalog entries stressed the brand names. The two most important brands were Kazoo and Sampson. Another brand was Wolverine, but this was really an early version of the Kazoo waist. The differences between the two are not immediately apparent from looking at the ads, but there were notable differences..
A reader writes, "Notice that the ad states that suspender waists could hold up drawers (under pants) or trousers (if wearing union suits)."
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