Figure 1.-- This advertisement in the 'Fort Wayne Setinal' for a taped union suit, iddly did not picture the garment. Rather it focused on the long stockings the garment were desiigned to support. |
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We note taped union suits being sold for boys as hot weather summer garments. This advertisement appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinal for 20 July 1922, p. 3. It gets really sticky in Indiana during the summer time, and boys who had to wear long stockings during this period with above the knee knickers or with short trousers (for reassons of formality--school, church, special occasions) normally had to wear skeleton waists or underwaists over their usual underwear, which made an unwanted extra layer of underwear necessary. In the late 1910s and 1920s manufacturers invented a light-weight union suit for boys with short legs and sleeveless arms that served as undershirt, underpants, and waist for long stockings in a single garment. These garments (usually called Waist Union Suits because they were taped for the support of additional garments such as trousers and hose supporters) were usually made of nainsook (like adult male BVDs) or of light-weight knitted cotton fabric that was more form-fitting.
The advertisement did not indicate the manufacturer.
We note taped union suits being sold for boys as hot weather summer garments. This advertisement appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinal (July 20, 1922, p. 3). This was an advertisement placed by a retailer, although we are not entirely sure who the retailer was. The only reference we note is Houston Stree Annnex. Elsewhere it indicated that the Fort Wayne store was Meacham's. We see a lot of newspaper advertisements for underwear and stocking supporters in the early 20th centuty.
It gets really sticky in Indiana during the summer time, and boys who had to wear long stockings during this period with above the knee knickers or with short trousers (for reassons of formality--school, church, special occasions) normally had to wear skeleton waists or underwaists over their usual underwear, which made an unwanted extra layer of underwear necessary.
In the late 1910s and 1920s manufacturers invented a light-weight union suit for boys with short legs and sleeveless arms that served as undershirt, underpants, and waist for long stockings in a single garment. These garments (usually called Waist Union Suits because they were taped for the support of additional garments such as trousers and hose supporters) were usually made of nainsook (like adult male BVDs) or of light-weight knitted cotton fabric that was more form-fitting.
They were much cooler than the traditional winter support
garments
These waost union suits suits had reinforcement straps over the shoulders, taped-on bone buttons for the attachment of trousers, and tabs at the sides for supporters. The illustration shows a boy wearing the new, briefer cut underwear with black long stockings. We cannot see the supporter
attachments because the boy has his legs up in the air (no doubt to
illustrate the athletic features of the underwear).
The light weight meaning that they were more comfortable to wear during the summer made them popular with boys from about age 2 to 14. These particular garments, however, are only made in sizes up to 12.
The ad copy text read, "Boys' Taped Union Suits Only 48 cents. With the hottest weather yet to come, little growing bodies should be made as comfortable as possible. Old union suits that are pinned [because buttons have come off] up or 'draw' [i.e., are too tight] should be replaced by new comfrotable fitting undergarments. Why delay making the
change another day, when you can obtain these spelndid quality well taped pajama check union suits for your boys. They are made strong and sturdy. Waist buttons are taped on and they are in drop seat style." This meant that there were three buttons in the rear. The taping includes not only waist buttons for trousers but also tabs for pin-on supporters so that garters for long stockings can be eastily attached.
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