Figure 1.--This is a counter display for Athleta hose (stocking) supporters. The different lengths were used by children of different heighth reflecting age differences. Notice these are white which suggests that it may date to 1913. White is displayed, but they were made in both black and white.

Athleta was a fairly important brand of stocking supporters. We do not know a great deal about the brand, but we have found a vintage counter display box from approximately 1910-20. It may have been dated 1913, but we are not sure just how that was determined. Maybe small print somewhere on the box? The date sounds about right to us. On the box we learn that Athleta supporters were sold in both black and white. The advertisers obviously wanted white for the box so the garters would show up better on the red background. Boys, especially older boys, tended to wear black supporters during the 1910s. All the Hickory garter ads for the same period show black as the dominant color, even though white was also available. White became the dominant color in the later 1920s and 1930s. So this helps to confirm the date. Athleta is a brand name, we are not sure yet if it is also the company name. We so note a modern company with that name specializing in women's athletic wear.

Created: 6:18 AM 10/17/2008
Last updated: 6:18 AM 10/17/2008