Figure 1.--This advertisement for long stockings appeared in Sears catalogs during the Fall-Winter 1942 and Spring-Summer 1943. It was one of the last time long stockings were widely advertised in America. Notice the ribbed and non-ribbed styles. |
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I had thought that long stockings had largely disappeared in the 1930s. Sears caralogs through the 1940s, however, especially the early 40s show that long stockings and hose supporters were still being sold in the United States. Available evidence suuggests that the popularity of long stockings declined very sharply after the War.
I am not sire how boys wore long stockings in the 1940s. I was a boys in the 40s and never saw anyone wearing long stockings. The boy in the Sears ad wears a summer "T" shirt and short pants. I'm not sure if boys actually dressed this way or if they were worn as cold weather gear and that the stockings were just better shown with a boy wearing short pants. Obviously they would not be visible if he wore haevy winter long pants. In addition, knickers were still worn in the 1940s, but rapidly going out of style. Interestingly, HBC has noted few images of American boys in the 1940s wearing long stockings with short pants. We have little evidence outside of the catalog advertisements that boys except for very young boys wre wearing long stockings.
The image of the boy playing with the airplane and wearing long stockings with shorts and a striped tee shirt appeared first in the Fall and Winter Sears
catalog of 1942-43, p. 361 (figure 1). It was then reprinted in the Spring and Summer
1943 catalog, p. 132. By the way, the Fall-Winter 1942-43 catalog showed a great many boys wearing short pants with socks and stockings of all lengths even though the season is chilly. Short pants were becoming more popular in all seasons. The image of the boy wearing an Eton collar with shorts and long
stockings appeared first in the Sears Fall and Winter catalog for 1943-44, p.
301B (figure 2). It was then reprinted the following year in the Fall and Winter catalog
of 1944-45, p. 221. In 1944 Sears was cutting back on expenses because of the
war and reproduced many of its products from the previous year together with
the reissued advertising that went along with these products.
I am not sure who was wearing long stockings in the 1940s. We have little evidence outside of the catalog advertisements that boys except for very young boys wre wearing long stockings. I was a boy then, albeit only 7 in 1949. I never saw a boy wearing long stockings wher I grewcup in Washington, DC. Perhaps they were more common further north or with a different social set.
Sears offered three types of long stockings in the 1942-43 Fall-inter catalog. The fact that there were three types suggests there was still a market. Some of the types of stockings were advertised in more than one catalog.
These were "good quality" cotton. Sears tells the mpther that "'Everyday'" cotton hose are practical because they give so much wear for so little money. They are firmy knit of good quality cotton ... have flat knit feet for greater walking comfort. Kegs are knit in wide or narrow rib style ... give a close, neat fit. We're sorry, but our stock does not permit a choice of rib." The size range is from 6 to 10 in full size intervals. Cost $0.24.
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The stocking was advertised in two catalogs.
"Fine combed cotton. Softer and longer wearing than our ordinary cotton. Our famous "Pilgrim" quality .. firmly knit of good combed cotton ... and knit longer to cut down on the strain at the knee. Made in a narrow rib so they will fit closely and give a trim neat appearance. Reinforced in the toes and heals for extra wear. Flat knit, seamless feel for comfort." These stockings are avaialable in the same size range, but in 1/2 intervals for a better fit. Cost $0.31.
"Fine quality, smooth combed cotton. Softer, stronger, and smoother than ordinary cotton ...gives the stockings a fine appearance. Knit in a narrow rib so they will cling to the leg without unsightly bagging or wrinkling. Reinforced in the heels and toes to resist wear. Seamless flat knit feet add comfort active youngsters need. Colors: medium tan, dark tan, brownstoner. Sizes 6 to 10 in increments of 1/2. Cost $0.31.
This stocking was also advertized twice.
"Outer side has luster; inner is smooth and soft. Our finest, children's full length hose. They are cleverly knit of silk-looking rayon outside and soft cotton inside. Knit longer to cut down on strain at the knee. Reinforced with sturdy 2-ply mercenized cotton at the toes and heel to giveclonger wear ... cut down on tiresome darning." This style is also available in 1/2 size intervals. It is the only style available in white. Cost $0.38.
"Rayon outside ... soft cotton outside. Dressier than stockings above because the outerside has aclustrous, silk-like finish; inside is soft, smooth cotton for comfort and warmth. Knit in extra fine gauge for trim fit, good look. Heavier mercerized cotton reinforces the heels and toes to give long wear. Seamless, flat knit feet for comfort, Colors: suntan, medium tan, white. Sizes 6 1/2-10 in 1/2 increments.
There is no indidication whatsoever of any gender conotation for long stockings. They are being offered as equally suitable for a boy or girl.
The colors offered are notably for the lack of color. None of the bright colors that children wore as tights in the 1960s had yet appeared. Almost all of the available colorsd are varying shades of brown. The stockings were available in tan, dark tan, brownstone, brown, beige, medium tan, and white. The white was avaialble in only one of four styles offered. One ad indicates the style available in white was the dressier style.
The long stockings were only availale in cotton, although one style has cotton with rayon outside.
Full length stockings were designed for both warmth and protection as well as for dressy outfits. The Sears advertisement calls them "children's full length stockings and explains that the "extra coverage of full length stockings gives your child extra warmth and protection". Presumably "protection" means protection from the elemenys--cold weather. One of the types of stocking offered has a lustrous, silk-like appearance. The ad also adds feature of Sears' long wearing Pilgrim quality, "choice of millions ovr 31 years." Sears highligted these features: neater fit ... legs are finely rib knit; more comfort ...fleet are flat knit, seamless; less knee strain ...knit longer than average; and no weak spots... toes, heels are reinforced."
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They were being worn by younger boys. The sizes offered range from 6 to 10. I'm not sire about the actual measurements, but assume the sizes refer to the child's age.
One HBC contributor notes, "I didn't know they made these this large. By looking at some of the ads and the drawings, it looks like their stockings went quite high above the knees. I had thought long stockings were just over the knee."
The last time I saw stocking supporters advertised was the mid to late 1940s, even so they were quite a wide range of different types of stocking supporters available. Many were clearly targeted for younger children.
HBC has collected the following accounts of tghe personal experiebces American boys had with long stockings during the post-World War II era.
An American reader reports, "In the late 1940s and early 50s, little boys were still wearing long brown stockings. I know from experience. Hand-me downs were prevalent in my family due to economics. There are also `baby' pictures in the family album that show both my brother and I in long white stockings, about late-1946 or early-47."
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