Figure 1.-- This newspaper ad illustration shows a boy and a girl both wearing the Dr. Parker garter waist. The girl is buttoning the chest strap that keeps the shoulder straps in place. The waist consists of white suspenders of white webbing which cross in back and attach to a waistband equipped with waist buttons for buttoning on skirts and trousers. On each side the waist has white Hickory supporters that pin onto the the waistband through metal pinning tubes sewn on tabs and fastened to the waist.

We note a newspaper ad for Dr. Parker's waist (waist suits) and garters from the Ogden, Utah Standard Examiner for June 14, 1925. An illustration shows a boy and a girl both wearing the Dr. Parker garter waist. The girl is buttoning the chest strap that keeps the shoulder straps in place. The waist consists of white suspenders of white webbing which cross in back and attach to a waistband equipped with waist buttons for buttoning on skirts and trousers. On each side the waist has white Hickory supporters that pin onto the the waistband through metal pinning tubes sewn on tabs and fastened to the waist.

Newspaper Advertisement

Stocking supportes were offered in major mail-order catalogs and widely advertized in major national magazines as well as local newspapers. The newspaper ads seem very common, but are difficult to find as newspaper collections are more difficult to access. We note a newspaper ad for Dr. Parker's waist (waist suits) and garters from the Ogden, Utah Standard Examiner for June 14, 1925.

Dr. Parker Products

One of the recurring terms in the American mail order catalogs is the “Dr. Parker” waist, a style of garter waist that persisted from the late 1890s until the mid-1940s. It consisted of suspender-like shoulder straps with a cross piece across the chest to hold the straps in place, a waist belt (sometimes with additional buttons for the attachment of trousers , skirts, or, in young children, panties), and two elastic hose supporters in a Y-shape hung from the waistband. We are not sure, however, just who Dr. Parker was and what company made them. We first notice them about 1910. They were offered in major mail order catalogs (Eatons, Sears, and Wards). We are not sure, but assume they were also sold in retail stores.

Waist Suits

The waist or waist suit is a support garment. Historically children’s waists had multiple functions—the holding up of various garments such as underpants or panties, skirts, short trousers, and long stockings. Gradually the principal function became the support of long stockings although some of the later models still continued to provide waist buttons for other functions. We note a variety of bodices or underwaists which have more or less the same function--a garment to support other clothing (shorts, skirts, garters, stockings, underpants, etc.). The terminology for waists and associated garments can be confusing. We note both types of waists as well as different names for the same garment as well as different terms in various countries. These were garments for children and women. I suppose the "liberty bodice" is the British equivalent of the German "Leibchen" and of the American "waist".

Garters

Garter or gartier is of historic origins. It appears to have entered the English language from Old North French in the early 14th century. The word was derived for the French word describing the bend of the knee. It came to be the symbol for an English nightly order--the Order of the Garter. The garter is a device to hold up hosiery. They were worn by both adults and children. There are two basic types. One was an elastic band worn around the leg. This type was commonly used by children to hold up kneesocks. Scouts were noted for adding a colored tab to the garter. It was commonly used before kneesocks with elasticised tops became popular. Another type was an elastic strap suspended from an undergarment. These were worn by both boys and girls to hold up long stockings.

Products

This newspaper ad illustration shows a boy and a girl both wearing the Dr. Parker garter waist. The girl is buttoning the chest strap that keeps the shoulder straps in place. The waist consists of white suspenders of white webbing which cross in back and attach to a waistband equipped with waist buttons for buttoning on skirts and trousers. On each side the waist has white Hickory supporters that pin onto the the waistband through metal pinning tubes sewn on tabs and fastened to the waist.

Ad Copy

There is only a minimal text for the Dr. Parker garter waist, but the ad advertises "Hickory Goods": "This store is the big source of supply of all Hickory Goods. Stocks are always complete--always fresh. Easy of access in the Notion Section." Other Hickory products for boys and girls are included in the list of Hickory products. These products include (1) "Hickory Dr. Parker garter waists, illustrated above. 39 cents." [N.B. the Parker-style garter waists came in even sizes from 2 to 14 years of age.] (2) "Panty Waists. Hickory panty waists for boys and girls. Made of extra heavy quality sateen. Taped on buttons and tabs for supporters. Sizes 2 to 14. White only. 50 cents." (3) "Kiddies' Garters. Hickory garters for boys and girls. Made of extra heavy quality elastic. Black and white. Sizes 2 to 6. 30 cents. Sizes 8 to 16 35 cents."

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Created: 7:53 AM 9/5/2008
Last updated: 7:53 AM 9/5/2008