Figure 1.--This image shows the shoulder brace belt and hose supporter. They were made in sizes for children up to 12 years. |
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Stocking supporters and related elastic supporters were widely sold in America during the 1920s. A good reflection of the variety of products available. These advertisements also provide a variety of information about those products. A bit later, Kazoo and perhaps other manufacturers, decided to modify the suspender waist as a garment for girls and younger boys. They were still called suspender waists because of the over-the-shoulder straps, but they did not literally function as suspenders (a device for holding up trousers). On these modified versions there were no leather attachments at the waist to be buttoned onto trousers as in the case of adult male suspenders. Instead they had waist bands with buttons on them. These could be used by younger children in the same way that panty waists had been used--for bloomers, panties, or even outer garments like short pants or skirts (although, as you point out, most girls didn't wear skirts at this period).
Stocking supporters and related elastic supporters were widely sold in America during the 1920s.
A good reflection of the variety of products available. These advertisements also provide a variety of information about those products. A bit later, Kazoo and perhaps other manufacturers, decided to modify the suspender waist as a garment for girls and younger boys. They were still called suspender waists because of the over-the-shoulder straps, but they did not literally function as suspenders (a device for holding up trousers). On these modified versions there were no leather attachments at the waist to be buttoned onto trousers as in the case of adult male suspenders. Instead they had waist bands with buttons on them. These could be used by younger children in the same way that panty waists had been used--for bloomers, panties, or even outer garments like short pants or skirts (although most girls didn't wear skirts at this period). A new type of stocking supporter appeared in the 1920s--the waist union suit. A popular brand was the Kazoo waists.
The principal purpose of stocking supporters was to hold up long stockings, although some were used to hold up trousers as well. Thus there is a close association between long stockings and stocking supporters. stockings. The popularity of lng stockings began to decline in the 1920s. They were still commonly worn, but by now by yonger boys and on a more seasonal basis. Some boys began wearing kneesocks with their knickers rather than long stockings. Even so long stockings were still widely available, as were stocking supporters.
Stocking supporters were still prominently featured in mafazine ads and catalogs during the 1920s. We note Montgomery Ward's underwaists in 1922. We notice more Ward's underwaists in 1925 and 1926. We notice Nazareth Underwaists in 1927. Sears also offered stocking supporters. An example is Sears underwaists offered in 1929.
Related Pages:
[Return to the Main U.S. 20th century stocking supporter chronology page]
[Return to the Main U.S. stocking supporter chronology page]
[Return to the Main U.S. stockings page]
[Knee socks]
[White knee socks]
[Long stockings]
[Striped socks]
[White stockings]
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