Figure 1.--This underwaist ad is from Ward's 1926 Spring and Summer catalog, p. 156. Ward's describes these garments as "waists". This is a kind of shorthand for underwaists. There are five models shown here--all but one suitable for both boys and girls. The puff waist is for girls only. Two of the waists are of knit design and fit the upper body closely. The other three are of cambric and don't stretch but are somewhat cooler to wear in summer. All of these waists have additional buttons for attaching pants, skirts, bloomers, etc. All are equipped with tabs for hose supporters.

This underwaist ad is from Ward's 1926 Spring and Summer catalog, p. 156. There are five models shown here--all but one suitable for both boys and girls. The puff waist is for girls only. Two of the waists are of knit design and fit the upper body closely. The other three are of cambric and don't stretch but are somewhat cooler to wear in summer. All of these waists have additional buttons for attaching pants, skirts, bloomers, etc. All are equipped with tabs for hose supporters.

Montgomery Ward

This underwaist ad is from Ward's 1926 Spring and Summer catalog, p. 156. Although the word "consumerism" has a modern ring, it was personal concern for an early consumer movement, the "National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry," That inspired a young traveling salesman named Aaron Montgomery Ward to start the world's first general merchandise mail-order company in 1872.

UnderWaists

Ward's describes these garments as "waists". This is a kind of shorthand for underwaists. Underwaists were another type of support garment. Underwaists (sometimes called panty-waists) were worn by younger boys and girls to support additional underwear (such as bloomers or panties) or outer clothing (such as trousers or skirts). These bodices tended to be worn by boys only until about age 10, although some models came in ages for boys as old as 12. Some models were specifically for girls and others for boys, but the great majority of styles could be worn by both boys and girls. They tended to be made of elastic knitted fabric (and therefore rather form-fitting) or of cambric material and a bit looser. They nearly always were equipped with reinforcement straps, waist buttons, and garter tabs for attaching hose supporters. The popularity of underwaists declined in the later 1930s and early 1940s although they were still available, usually in the preferred knitted style, up until about 1945. When long stockings stopped being worn by school children, the main function of the underwaist ceased to exist.

Waist Styles

There are five models shown here--all but one suitable for both boys and girls. The puff waist is for girls only. Two of the waists are of knit design and fit the upper body closely. The other three are of cambric and don't stretch but are somewhat cooler to wear in summer. All of these waists have additional buttons for attaching pants, skirts, bloomers, etc. All are equipped with tabs for hose supporters.

Button Front Cambric Waist for Boys or Girls

The Ward's ad copy read, "Button Front Cambric Waist for Boys or Girls. 39 c. A very practical and popular style Underwaist for boys and girls 2 to 12 years old. Made of white cambric of a good strong quality with reinforced seams. Fastens in front and has adjustable shoulder straps. Taped buttons around waist for attaching outer clothing. Metal pin tubes for hose supporters. A very good value at Ward's low price. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years. State size wanted. 32 D 697. White only. 39 c. Postage, 2 c. extra.

Figure 1.--This underwaist ad is from Ward's 1926 Spring and Summer catalog, p. 156. Ward's describes these garments as "waists". This is a kind of shorthand for underwaists. There are five models shown here--all but one suitable for both boys and girls. The puff waist is for girls only. Two of the waists are of knit design and fit the upper body closely. The other three are of cambric and don't stretch but are somewhat cooler to wear in summer. All of these waists have additional buttons for attaching pants, skirts, bloomers, etc. All are equipped with tabs for hose supporters.

Knit Waist

The Ward's ad copy read, "Knit Waist 25 c. Child's Knit Waist of combed cotton, reinforced with straps of self material. Closes in the front with bone buttons and has metal pin tubes for the hose supporters. Price low. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years. State size. 32 D 700. White only 25 c. Postage, 2 c. extra.

Combed Cotton

The Ward's ad copy read, "Combed Cotton 41 c. Knit Underwaist of soft combed cottn. Reinforced seams of self material over shoulder, back and front. Supporter tabs with metal pin tubes. Front closing. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years. State size. 32 D 702. White only 41 c. Postage 2 c. extra."

Puff Waist

The Ward's ad copy read, "Puff Waist 55 c. Girls' Puff Waist of good quality cambric, reinforced under arms full length to waist line. Embroidery edging at neck and armholes. Taped bone buttons. Metal pin tubes for hose supporters. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years. State size. 32 D 684 White only 55 c. Postage, 2 c. extra.

Fine Cambric

The Ward's ad copy read, "Fine Cambric 29 c. Child's White Cambric Waist made with double thickness of cloth under arms insuring longer service. Comes in full sizes. Taped bone buttons. Tabs [probably tape loops] for hose supporters. Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years. State size wanted. 32 D 692 White only. 29 c. Postage, 2 c. extra."

Age

Note that these garments are made to size 12. This seems a common convention for such garments. We know, however, that older youths wore long stockings. We see even older teennagers wearing long stockings before World War I. This was becoming less common in the 1920s, but we note teenagers wearing long stockings in the 1920s. This was probably more common for girls than boys, but we note boys 13-15 years of age wearing long stockings with knickers. We are not sure how teenagers supported their stockings.

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Created: 10:30 PM 6/26/2005
Last updated: 10:30 PM 6/26/2005