Figure 1.--Here we see a Winter waistunion suit offered in the Ward's Fall and Winter catalog for 1929-30, p. 255. Waist union suits were very popular throughout the 1920s and 1930s because they enabled mothers to dress their children in a way that combined the typical winter or summer underwear (i.e., the union suit) with the features of an underwaist (with reinforcement straps over the shoulders, waist buttons, and tabs for the attachment of supporters for long stockings). |
This page comes from Ward's Fall and Winter catalog for 1929-30, p. 255. Waist union suits were very popular throughout the 1920s and 1930s because they enabled mothers to dress their children in a way that combined the typical winter or summer underwear (i.e., the union suit) with the features of an underwaist (with reinforcement straps over the shoulders, waist buttons, and tabs for the attachment of supporters for long stockings). We are not sure who the manufacturer here was. We do note the " Comfytogs " trade mark. These suits are sized for children between the ages of 2 and 13 years.
We are not sure who the manufacturer here was. We do note the " Comfytogs " trade mark.
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. Aaron Montgomery Ward was born on February 17, 1844, in Chatham, New Jersey, to a family whose forebears had served as officers in the French and Indian Wars as well as in the American Revolution. Looking for something more compatible, Monty left home and followed the river to Lake Michigan and the town of St. Joseph, county seat and market for outlying fruit orchards. Chicago was the center of the wholesale dry goods trade and in the 1860s Ward joined the leading dry goods house, Field Palmer & Leiter. As a retailer, Potter Palmer had previously built a reputation for fair dealing. Ward absorbed these principles while working as a clerk
for $5. The Chicago City Directories for 1868 through 1870 listed Ward as a salesman for Wills, Greg & Co. and later for Stetthauers & Wineman, both dry goods houses. In 1870, after canvassing territory in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ward was again footloose. The plan shaping in Ward's mind was to buy goods at low cost for cash. By eliminating intermediaries, with their markups and commissions, and cutting selling costs to the bone, he could offer goods to people, however remote, at appealing prices - for cash. Since its founding in 1872, the company has literally "grown up with America" and has had a major impact on the shopping habits of a nation of consumers. Montgomery Ward & Co. discontinued its catalog operations in 1985 as part of its restructuring effort to change itself into a modern, competitive chain of value-driven specialty stores, a move which for a time saved the company. week.
This page comes from Ward's Fall and Winter catalog for 1929-30, p. 255. Waist union suits were very popular throughout the 1920s and 1930s because they enabled mothers to dress their children in a way that combined the typical winter or summer underwear (i.e., the union suit) with the features of an underwaist (with reinforcement straps over the shoulders, waist buttons, and tabs for the attachment of supporters for long stockings). Mothers who bought waist union suits for boys and girls didn't need to provide an additional underwaist (or pantywaist). For some reason the term "waist union suit" does not appear in the language of this ad, but the obvious waist features place it clearly in this category. Ward's uses the term " Comfytogs " which was trade marked brand name.
These suits are sized for children between the ages of 2 and 13 years.
These are heavy weight suits for cold weather and would have been worn mainly in the colder parts of the country. They were great for outdoor wear or unheated room. They could be uncomfortable in a heated room because they could not be taken off like a jacket. There were lighter weight garments for Summer wear.
The illustration here gives us a particularly clear idea of the metal pin tube at the bottom of the reinforcement strap under the arm pit, which is where the hose supporter is
fastened on. The girl in the illustration shows us the rear construction with three reinforcement straps and waist buttons and the three-button drop seat.
These waist union suits are the same style for both boys and girls. The two illustrations show the front and back, not different gender styles. The waist buttons were provided for the attachment of short pants or skirts. Girls could also use them for bloomers.
Two colors are available--mottled gray and cream-white. Mottled gray was probably the more popular color for boys (many men's adult union suits were of this color) although the illustration shows both the girl and boy wearing gray.
The Watd's ad copy read, "Comfytogs (Trade Mark) For Children 2 to 13 Years. We Pay Postage. Heavy Weight Part Wool. 98 c. Each. For Boy or Girl. It Pays to Buy Quality. Ages: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 years. State age-size. We Pay Postage.
29 E 942--Gray mottled. 29 E 950--Cream white. "The Comfytogs we bought from you are the finest we've ever secured for the money," writes John Gleon of Kenosha, Wis. And this is only one of the many letters we get praising the quality and low price of this remarkable
underwear. Value that's positively remarkable! We sell thousands of these heavy weight Comfytogs every season--proof enough of their exceptional quality and low price. High neck, long sleeves, ankle-length style finely rib knit of sturdy cotton with a small amount of wool for extra warmth. Three-button drop seat with extra large gusset. Seams flatlocked for greater smoothness and comfort. Two knit straps reinforce the shoulders, with attached unbreakable bone buttons and firmly attached metal garter tabs. Self-material button stay and
buttonhole facing. With low price you get Ward's new famous swift delivery. Ward's Swift Same Day Service Brings Your Order in Record Time!"
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing catalog/magazine pages:
[Return to the Main American mail order 1929 page]
[Main photo/publishing page]
[Store catalogs]
[Fashion magazines]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Sailor hats]
[Sailor suits]
[Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits]
[Rompers]
[Tunics]
[Smocks]
[Long stockings]
[Stocking supporters]
[Underwear]