Figure 1.--This advertisement appeared in the Lima News of Lima, Ohio, on May 4, 1928, page 16. Such ads were common in the eatly 20th century. The store selling the underwear was the W. T. Grant Company, 202 N. Main St. in Lima, a well-known local family clothing store. The ad is interesting because it illustrates six different styles of summer and spring underwear for boys and girls. During the 1920s nearly all children, both boys and girls from about 6-18 years of age, wore union suits, one-piece garments that combined shirts and drawers and were sometimes equipped with the features of an underwaist in addition.

This advertisement appeared in the Lima News of Lima, Ohio, on May 4, 1928, page 16. Such ads were common in the eatly 20th century. The store selling the underwear was the W. T. Grant Company, 202 N. Main St. in Lima, a well-known local family clothing store. The ad is interesting because it illustrates six different styles of summer and spring underwear for boys and girls. During the 1920s nearly all children, both boys and girls from about 6-18 years of age, wore union suits, one-piece garments that combined shirts and drawers and were sometimes equipped with the features of an underwaist in addition. Such union suits were made in both knitted and nainsook styles, the nainsook fabric being especially appropriate for hot weather and used also for adult men's underwear (often referred to as BVDs). The knitted style of union suits were made with both short legs and ankle-length legs and could be had with short or long sleeves. The summer nainsook styles all had short legs and were sleeveless.

Newspapers

This advertisement appeared in the Lima News of Lima, Ohio, on May 4, 1928, page 16. Such ads were common in local newspapers and magazines uring the eatly 20th century. Often they mentioned the brand names. Here there is no mention of the msnufsactuer/brands.

W.T. Grant

The store selling the underwear was the W. T. Grant Company, 202 N. Main St. in Lima, a well-known national chain store which probanly explains the relatively sophisticated illustration of the models in the ad. W. T. Grant,commonly ferred to as just or Grants, was a mass-merchandise store founded by William Thomas Grant. The stores were called dime store (also five and dimes). The term dimes (meaning a 10 cent coin) store did not mean thst every thing cost 10 cents or less, but it did mean thsat the merchandise offered was mostly low-price items. The company sought out downtown locations throughout the country. The first "W. T. Grant Co. 25 Cent Store" opened in Lynn, Massachusetts (1906). The corporate model was low markups, but but fast turnover of inventory. The company thus grew to one of the best known retail store in America. Its principal comopetitor was Woolsworth. Kids loved these dime stores because there were all kinds of candy or toys that could be bought for a small price. Clothing was only one psrt of the merchsndise offered. Eventually there were over 1,200 sy\tores around the country.

Seasonal Underwear

Seasonal underwear is unknown today. It was very common in the early-20th century. The ad is interesting because it illustrates six different styles of summer and spring underwear for boys and girls. During the 1920s nearly all children, both boys and girls from about 6-18 years of age, wore union suits, one-piece garments that combined shirts and drawers and were sometimes equipped with the features of an underwaist in addition. Such union suits were made in both knitted and nainsook styles, the nainsook fabric being especially appropriate for hot weather and used also for adult men's underwear (often referred to as BVDs). The knitted style of union suits were made with both short legs and ankle-length legs and could be had with short or long sleeves. The summer nainsook styles all had short legs and were sleeveless.

Garment Offerings

Thbe text of the ad copy offers some insights as to the different styles. We have interpolated notes on the various styles. The ad was headed, "Improved in many ways, at no increase in price. New Spring Underwear for Children." Somewat unusually there is no mention of brand names. Note thast the stules here are very different from modern styles. Modern underwear types appeared in the 1930s and have since remained with very little change.

No. 1-- Boys knit athletic union suit with half sleeves

The ad copy read, "No. 1-- Boys knit athletic union suit with half sleeves--sizes 24 to 34 [chest sizes]--just right for in-between seasons." These are knit union suits, presumably with long legs, not shown in the illustration, and are simply children's versions of the adult union suit that men wore. They probably have drop seats with three buttons that attach to the waist at the rear or else the more adult flap seat with a single-button closure. This is really winter underwear but with a concession to the warmer weather, having short sleeves. Knit union suits were also made with short legs, but the ad doesn't specify leg length. Because of the season, these suits could have had short legs although long-legged underwear was still sometimes worn in the summer, particularly by working-class men."

No. 2--Superior grade waist unions for boys

The ad copy read, "No. 2--Superior grade waist unions for boys, nainsook with shoulder tapes, secure buttons and garter pin tubes." These are waist union suits for boys from about 10 to 16 that have reinforcement straps over the shoulders to support the weight of button-on trousers in addition to hose supporters for long stockings which boys wore with either knickers or shorts. The additional buttons would be used by younger boys but not needed by boys over the age of twelve. In the illustration the second boy from the left wears this suit, and you can see the shoulder tapes like suspenders down the left and right side of his chest. The waist band of the suit has taped-on buttons that won't easily come off (for his knickers or shorts) as well as metal tubes so that supporters for long stockings can be attached.

No. 3-- Girls' bloomer waist suits of quality nainsook

The ad copy read, "No. 3-- Girls' bloomer waist suits of quality nainsook--made in a better manner. Webbing under belt prevents splitting." These waist suits for girls are similar to those worn by boys but have bloomer legs instead of straight legs. The pin tubes for supporters are attached at the sides.

No. 4.--Bloomer waist union suits of nainsook

The ad copy read, "No. 4.--Bloomer waist union suits of nainsook, for younger girls--a very satisfactory garment." These appear to be simply waist union suits for younger-age girls and are basically similar to those for their older sisters. They also have the extra buttons for outer clothing as well as the pin tubes for attaching supporters.

No. 5--For larger boys, fine nainsook unions

The ad copy read, "No. 5--For larger boys, fine nainsook unions, athletic models, with the V neck and roomily sized--a value which is unusual." These union suits are simply older boys' versions of those their fathers would wear. They are designed for boys olde enough to wear long trousers or who do not need the pin tubes and support straps for long stockings.

No. 6-- For younger boys, nainsook waist suits

The ad copy read, "No. 6-- For younger boys, nainsook waist suits, at a remarkably low price." These suits have all the features of an underwaist, that is, additional taped-on buttons for trousers (knickers or short pants) plus the pin-tubes for supporters when long stockings are worn. Notice the drop seat which buttons to the back of the suit at the waist line.

Separate Underwear Garments

A few children in the 1920s wore separate undershirts and underpants, but these were less popular than union suits, which were more economical because they combined two garments in one. If the union suits were in the waist style, the children could avoid the wearing of an additional garter waist since the provision for long stockings and supporters was already built in.

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Created: 11:16 PM 6/10/2009
Last updated: 11:16 PM 6/10/2009