Figure 1.-- Sears in the Spring-Summer 1930 offered these two styles of button on waists or shirts. They were done in sizes from 4-10 years. |
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On the page with the short pants were two types of button waists. Note that the term "waists" used in these advertisements refers not to underwear waists but to boy's shirts--especially those with waist buttons to button on to short pants. Underwear waists also had buttons, however, for the purpose of attaching outer clothing such as short pants as well as pin tubes to allow for the fastening of hose supporters. The use of the term "waist" for both boys' outer shirts and for underwear with waist buttons is a bit confusing for modern readers. Waists were very similar to modern shirts, but were not called waists because there were no shirt tails. Tails were not needed as the waists securely buttoned on to under-wear waists or the pants directly. They were presumably included on the page with short pants because they were most commonly worn with shorts pants. They were, however, not exclusively worn with shorts.
The Sears, Roebuck and Co., huge merchandising firm centered in Chicago was founded by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and A.C. Roebuck (1864-1948). Sears had begun a career in mail-order business in Minnesota 1886. In Chicago he and Roebuck joined resources and formed a corporation in 1893 as a mail-order business under title Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1895 Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) bought Roebuck's interest in firm and became president on Sears's retirement 1908. A retail-store system was added 1925. The first foreign store added in Havana, Cuba during 1945 and becane te first expropriated store in 1960. The Sears-Roebuck brought the production of industry to the fartherest corner of rural America, opening the cornucopia of the consumer age to rural America. All the
new things that were changing American life danced across their pages. Through it, a huge Chicago warehouse offers to modernize the farms and small towns of the
Midwest.
These suits were offered in the 1930 Sears catalog (Spring and Summer), p. 290.
On the page with the short pants were two types of button waists. Note that the term "waists" used in these advertisements refers not to underwear waists but to boy's shirts--especially those with waist buttons to button on to short pants. Underwear waists also had buttons, however, for the purpose of attaching outer clothing such as short pants as well as pin tubes to allow for the fastening of hose supporters. The use of the term "waist" for both boys' outer shirts and for underwear with waist buttons is a bit confusing for modern readers. Waists were very similar to modern shirts, but were not called waists because there were no shirt tails. Tails were not needed as the waists securely buttoned on to under-wear waists or the pants directly. They were presumably included on the page with short pants because they were most commonly worn with shorts pants. They were, however, not exclusively worn with shorts.
Shirt waists were most commonly worn withshort pants. Sears offered three types of short pants they were offered separately. They were suitable for a range of occassions. Notice the self belts on the first two pairs. They were also worn with knickers, especially the knickers worbn by younger boys.
On the page with the short pants were two types of button waists. Note that the term "waists" used in these advertisements refers not to underwear waists but to boy's shirts--especially those with waist buttons to button on to short pants. Underwear waists also had buttons, however, for the purpose of attaching outer clothing such as short pants as well as pin tubes to allow for the fastening of hose supporters. The use of the term "waist" for both boys' outer shirts and for underwear with waist buttons is a bit confusing for modern readers. Waists were very similar to modern shirts, but were not called waists because there were no shirt tails. Tails were not needed as the waists securely buttoned on to under-wear waists or the pants directly. They were presumably included on the page with short pants because they were most commonly worn with shorts pants. Tey were, however, not exclusively worn with shorts.
The ad copy read, "Very practical waists [i.e. shirts] with large buttons at the bottom to button to the little pants. All fast color cotton broadcloth materials. Lined collars and cuffs, sleeve facings. Open cuffs to button. Long sleeves and
regular style collar. Good quality buttons. They launder well. SIZES--4
to 10 years. State age size. 40 V 3534--Tan Pastel Shade Broadcloth.
Postpaid $69c. 40 V 3523--Blue Pastel Shake Broadcloth. Postpaid 69c. 40
V 3526--Plain White Broadcloth. Postpaid 69c.
The ad copy read, "An extraordinary opportunity to save on little fellow' waists. Button-on style with large buttons at bottom to button to pants. Will wash and
launder well. Open cuffs to button. Lined collar. SIZES--4 to 10 years.
State age size. 40 V 3518--Noveltry Pattern Doby Weave Cotton Broadcloth.
Postpaid 67c. 40 V 3522--Dressy Rayon Stripe Woven Cotton Broadcloth.
Postpaid 85c. 40 V 3501--Plain Blue Chambray. Postpaid 65c."
All these shorts show boys wearing them with cuffed knee socks. Ankle socks, apparently, were not worn much with shorts at this period. Note the patterned knee socks shown rather than socks of plain color. Some of the knicker illustrations suggest that long stockings were being worn. Curiously in advertisements for long stockings, they were often show being worn with short pants. Presumably this was to better show off the stockings rather than covering them up with knickers.
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