Sears Short-leg Waist Suits ( 1941-42 )


Figure 1.--This Sears 1941-42 catalog page offered waist suits.

As late as the early and mid 1940s, Sears was still advertising a wide variety of children's waist suits, worn by both boys and girls (sometims in different models for the two genders but not always). These suits were mostly union suits with both long and short legs (some also having short sleeves) that were designed not only as winter underwear but also with buttons for attaching outer clothing such as short pants and skirts and with garter tabs for attaching hose supporters so that long stockings could be worn without the use of a separate garter waist. (This is why they were called waist suits.) Most of these suits were meant for children between the ages of 2 and 12, but one model of waist union suit was advertised for boys and girls as old as 16, which suggests that at least in a few cases boys as old as 16 still wore long stockings.

Sears

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.

Waists Suits

As late as the early and mid 1940s, Sears was still advertising a wide variety of children's waist suits, worn by both boys and girls (sometims in different models for the two genders but not always). These suits were mostly union suits with both long and short legs (some also having short sleeves) that were designed not only as winter underwear but also with buttons for attaching outer clothing such as short pants and skirts and with garter tabs for attaching hose supporters so that long stockings could be worn without the use of a separate garter waist. (This is why they were called waist suits.)

Age

Most of these suits were meant for children between the ages of 2 and 12, but one model of waist union suit was advertised for boys and girls as old as 16, which suggest that at least in a few cases boys as old as 16 still wore long stockings.

Chronology

This was page 288 in the Sears Fall and Winter, 1941-42 catalog.

Individual Items

The page was entitled, "Biggest 'Undy' News in Years! Soft Cotton Next-to-the Skin, Wool on the Outside. 15% Wool Double Knit: Downy-Baks: -- Cotton Inside, -- Wool Outside. The Wools holds body heat in...the Cotton keeps wool itch out. They're new ... Different Children like to wear them! You get wool warmth with cotton comfort. In a Class by itself because ... -- Priced about 23% below other Advertised Brands Doubly insulated, -- Cotton inside, -- Wool outside Finest quality Wool and Cotton yarn used, -- Every garment finely tailored and finished."

Vest and Button-On Panties

The ad copy reads, "For Girls and Boys 2 to 8, 49c each garment. 4 for $1.89, 15% Virgin Wool, 77% Cotton, 8% Rayon. No need to sacrifice the warmth of part wool garments because your younger's skin is sensitive! These are knit a new way--the virgin wool (15%) is on the outside only, the inside is entirely soft combed cotton ... they can't irritate! Rayon striped. Vests have reinforcing seams: taped-on buttons. Panties have elastic in back: yoke front, ribbed cuffs and button on to vests. Double seat. Garter tabs. Color: Cream. Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8. State size. Scale on oppostie page. Shipping weight, each 4 ounces, four, 1 pound. 16 K 620 Vests; short sleeves 16 K 621 Panties: brief style Each .... 49c. 4 for $1.89.

One-Piece Suits

The ad copy read, "For Girls and Boys 2 to 16, 98c Each garment. 3 for $2.89, 15% Virgin Wool, 77% Cotton, 8% Rayon. If you're an advocate of one-piece suits for youngers, these will be your favorites from now on The fabric is double knit--15% virgin wool on the outer surface for warmth, soft combed cotton inner lining for perfect comfort. Rayon striped. Knit by on of the most outstanding mills in the country, theyre expertly constructed in every detail. Ribbed cuffs on legs and sleeves. Shoulder inserts for better fit. Lastex top on the double panel seat. Garter tabs. Color: Cream. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. Sate size. Shpg. wt. each, 13 oz; 3 suits, 1 lb. 15 oz. 16 K 9423--For Girls or Boys; button front style 16 K 9422--For Girls; 3 button front. Each suit: 98c; 3 suits for $2.89." Note that the boy in the advertisement, apparently about 12 or 13 years old, is wearing a waist union suit with no strap reinforcements over the shoulders (these reinforcements were usual in most other models; see adjoining page). The absence of strap reinforcements means that hose supporters, if worn with this suit, would tend to pull the union suit out of shape and thus be somewhat impractical as well as uncomfortable. But it is interesting that the suit was sold for both older and younger boys, which indicates that as late as 1942 teen-age boys could still be wearing long stockings. This was not a majority style, however. Most boys in the teens were wearing knickers with knee socks rather than short pants with long stockings.

Vests, Lastex-Back Panties

The ad copy read, "For Girls 2 to 16, 59c. each GArment. 4 for $2. 15% Virgin Wool, 77% Cotton, 8% Rayon. Whether she is six or sixteen, your young miss will appreciate the soft comfort of these! She'll appreciate their fine tailoring, their sparkling rayon stripes. Double knit, they're 15% virgin wool on the outside, combed cotton on the inside--can't scratch the tenderest skin. Vests have short sleeves, ribbed cuffs. 3-button front and should inserts. Panties have elastic in the back; yoke front: ribbed cuffs: double seat. Color: Cream. Sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16. State size. Shpg wt., ea, 6 oz; 4, 1 lb. 6 oz. 16 K 656--Brief Panty, 16 K 655--Short leg panty 16 K 694--Vests. Each 59c. 4 GArments $2.29."







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Created: October 17, 2003
Last updated: October 17, 2003