The last time stocking supporters were worn to any extent was the 1940s, although they did not disappear until the early 1950s. They were still prominently advertised in the 1940s. They were available in quite a wide range of different types. Sears referred to them as "garter waists". Many were clearly targeted for younger children. The ad shows the proud children, beaming "See mommie, now we can put on our own garter waists.
Some of the different styles advertised in the 1946-47 Sears catalog included:
The boy and girl in the picture are both wearing Kern's "Dandy" garter waist. Mary says , "It's easy as apple pie" for any girl or boy to put it on without
any help...they can slip it off alone, too. John says it doesn't drag on his
shoulder like some other kind he has to wear. And another thing, it doesn't
slow him down in the rough and tumble games he likes to play. Mary's and
John's mother says she likes it because it's made of strong cotton tape with
the elastic adjustable hose supporters...it's so easy to wash. No buttons to
come off. Strap across front and back to prevent slipping from shoulder.
White. Even sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14.
Washable heavy white cotton tape. Adjustable non-slip shoulders, garters.
Buttons at waist for outer garments. Even sizes: 2 to 14
Above style, medium wt. Even sizes: 2 to 12
Fig.C One inch width white cotton terry-elastic. Comfy slip-on style with
adjustable garters. Washable. Sizes: Small, ages 2 to 4; Medium, ages 6 to
8; Large, ages 10 to 12
Cotton Elastic, nickeled metal clips. Adjusts to age 10. White on blue or
brown. State color. Rayon Elastic, gold-color clips. Adjusts ages 3 to 14.
Dk. brown, Maroon, Navy
Adjustable 1-inch rayon classic, oblong rubber button, double pendant.
Rustproof finish metal fittings. White. Sizes: 2 to 4; 4 to 6; 6 to 9; 10 to
12.
Adjustable rayon elastic. Nickel finish metal fittings. White. Sizes: 2 to
4, 4 to 6, 6 to 9.
Figure 2.--This Sears advertisement shows two different types of hose supporters still available in the 1940s. The all purpose waist on the left is not a hose supporter, but for outervgarments like short pants. It looks to be for younger children, but is available through size 12. |
Some of the different styles advertised in the 1947-48 Sears catalog included:
Known throughout the nation for its quality. Won't slip off shoulders. No buttons to come off. So comfortable and practical for children--no binding fleeing. They will like wearing it. [HBC Note: The advertising approach id to deny the obvious. The approach here is simply to deby the obvious truth. How can these sticking supporters be comfortable? What child would want to wear one?] No more pinning on supporters and strains on stockings. Slip-on in a jiffy. ... They can do it themselves. ... Saves you time. Wears wll and washes well. White cotton tape with adjustable side supporters. Sizes 2 through 12 in 2 size increments. Price $0.49
The sizes for the stocking supporters were through age 12, and 14 in the case of one style. HBC notes that most of the available adds from comparable Sears catalogs were only for boys through age 10. Also while the advertisements picture boys and girls age 10-12 in long stockings, the stocking supporter advertisements only picture younger children.
Related HBC Pages:
[Return to the Main U.S. stocking supporter page]
[Return to the Main U.S. stockings page]
[Return to the 1946 U.S. catalog page]
[Return to the 1947 U.S. catalog page]
[Knee socks]
[White knee socks]
[Long stockings]
[Striped socks]
[White stockings]
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