Honor Bright Boys Blouses and Shirts (1922)


Figure 1.--We note Honor Bright shirts made by the Reliance Manufacturing Company manufacturing Company. Honor Bright was a trade name. The company's product line included blouses, shirts, and playwear in the 1920s. We do not know much about the company, other than it was located in Chicago, Illinois. We do note an ad for boy's blouses--from "The Youth's Companion" (1922).

A company producing children's blouses and shirts as well as other children's wear was the Reliance Manufacturing Company. They made Honor Bright shirts and blouses. An ad for boy's blouses--from The Youth's Companion (June 15, 1922). This ad appeared just as school was letting out in mid-June and appeals to boys and mothers who want to put their boys in blouses that will stand up under the strain of the activity of summer play. Notice that the boy in the illustration is running with his school books after being released from school. He wears a tie with his blouse, a striped blouse, above-the-knee knickers, and long black stockings.

Reliance Manufacuring Company

We note Honor Bright shirts made by the Reliance Manufacturing Company manufacturing Company. Honor Bright was a trade name. The company's product line included blouses, shirts, and playwear in the 1920s. We do not know much about the company, other than it was located in Chicago, Illinois. We do note an ad for boy's blouses--from The Youth's Companion (June 15, 1922, p. 347). This ad appeared just as school was letting out in mid-June and appeals to boys and mothers who want to put their boys in blouses that will stand up under the strain of the activity of summer play.

The Youth's Companion

An ad for boy's blouses--from The Youth's Companion (June 15, 1922). "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.

Seasonality

This ad appeared just as school was letting out in mid-June and appeals to boys and mothers who want to put their boys in blouses that will stand up under the strain of the activity of summer play. Notice that the boy in the illustration is running with his school books after being released from school. He wears a tie with his blouse, a striped blouse, above-the-knee knickers, and long black stockings. Also notice that the shirts and blouses pictured are all long-sleeve. The convention of short sleeve shorts for summer wear was not yet established in 1922.

Ad Copy

The ad copy read, "Vacation's Here! Time for a Regular Blouse a Fellow Can PLay In. Honor Bright Handbook: This 100-page, illustrated Boys' Handbook, chock-full of "stunts" lively boys like to do, sent free to boys who wear Honor Bright Shirts and Blouses. Shows how to make a boat, cabin, box kite--how to tell north without a compass, signal by wigwag and loads of outdoor "dope." Honor Bright Shirts, blouses and Play Suits. Ask Mother to have the storekeeper show her some of these dandy Honor Bright Shirts and Blouses. Cut good and roomy--from strongly stitched, durable fabrics--with curved armholes and large, reinforced pocket. Mother'll be pleased with the neat, dressy patterns (including khaki and black sateen)--the accurate fit--and attractively designed Military collars, with or without links. She'll be interest4ed, too, in Honor Bright Play Suits for little tots. Boys' Handbook Free. Every boy who sends us six tags from Honor Bright Boys' Blouses or Shirts get this 100-page book free. Mail coupon at right for your first tag. Then ask Mother to go with you to the sore and help you pick out some Honor Bright Shirts or Blouses with tags. All it takes is five tags more. Reliance Manufacturing Company, 212 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois."

Prize

Manufacturerers in the 1920s and 30s liked to offer prizes to customers. Here the company is offering a book to that boys might find interesting--the Honor Bright Boys' Handbook. "Honor bright" was a Scouting term.

Changing Attitudes

Boys in the late 19th and early 20th century commonly wore blouses. This began to change after World War I (1914-18). Boys in the 1920s began to increasingly express a preference for shirts rather than blouses. A good example of this can be seen in a 1926 Proctor & Gamble advertisement







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Created: 9:21 PM 1/19/2005
Last updated: 7:22 PM 12/29/2007