Figure 1.--This ad appeared in the Sears catalog for 1932 (Fall and Winter, p. 271). Waist union suits, which had been introduced during the 1920s, had become very popular with mothers who wanted to buy underwear for their boys and girls that combined the features of a winter union suit with the extra features of an underwaist (a garment that had buttons for attaching skirts and short pants and that also had garter tabs so that supporters for long stockings could be attached). Waist suits were also made in summer styles, but here we have only the winter version.

This ad appeared in the Sears catalog for 1932 (Fall and Winter, p. 271). Waist union suits, which had been introduced during the 1920s, had become very popular with mothers who wanted to buy underwear for their boys and girls that combined the features of a winter union suit with the extra features of an underwaist (a garment that had buttons for attaching skirts and short pants and that also had garter tabs so that supporters for long stockings could be attached). Waist suits were also made in summer styles, but here we have only the winter version. If a waist union suit was not worn, the alternative would be an ordinary union suit (lacking reinforcement straps and garter tabs) over which a separate waist for garters could be worn. Almost all boys in the 1920s and early 1930s wore either short pants or knickers with which long stockings were often worn, although some boys wore knee socks with knickers and therefore didn't need hose supporters.

Sears

The Sears, Roebuck and Co., huge merchandising firm centered in Chicago was founded by Richard W. Sears (1863-1914) and A.C. Roebuck (1864-1948). Sears had begun a career in mail-order business in Minnesota 1886. In Chicago he and Roebuck joined resources and formed a corporation in 1893 as a mail-order business under title Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1895 Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) bought Roebuck's interest in firm and became president on Sears's retirement 1908. A retail-store system was added 1925. The first foreign store added in Havana, Cuba during 1945 and becane the first expropriated store in 1960. The Sears-Roebuck brought the production of industry to the fartherest corner of rural America, opening the cornucopia of the consumer age to rural America. All the new things that were changing American life danced across their pages. Through it, a huge Chicago warehouse offers to modernize the farms and small towns of the Midwest.

Waist Union Suit

Another type of waist is the “waist suits” or “waist union suits”. These were union suits for children up to the age of about 13 or 14 (for both boys and girls) that came equipped with garter tabs and waist buttons for additional clothing, thus combining the function of the waist or hose supporter with that of traditional one-piece underwear. Good examples are the different styles of waist suits offered by Sexton in 1921, Nazareth in 1929, and Haines in 1933. Another example is the Sears 1938-39 Fall and Winter catalog Also see the HBC pages on Nazareth and Hanes waist suits (advertised in Parents Magazine).[Links here] Waists suits were made in both winter and summer styles (nainsook, with short legs, for summer; cotton knit, with long legs or short legs, for winter).

Garment

This ad appeared in the Sears catalog for 1932 (Fall and Winter, p. 271). Waist union suits, which had been introduced during the 1920s, had become very popular with mothers who wanted to buy underwear for their boys and girls that combined the features of a winter union suit with the extra features of an underwaist (a garment that had buttons for attaching skirts and short pants and that also had garter tabs so that supporters for long stockings could be attached). Waist suits were also made in summer styles, but here we have only the winter version.

Alternatives

If a waist union suit was not worn, the alternative would be an ordinary union suit (lacking reinforcement straps and garter tabs) over which a separate waist for garters could be worn. Almost all boys in the 1920s and early 1930s wore either short pants or knickers with which long stockings were often worn, although some boys wore knee socks with knickers and therefore didn't need hose supporters.

Ad Copy

Note: All the these waist suits have reinforced straps over the shoulders and two waist buttons in front and three in back for the attachment of outer clothes (trousers and skirts). The drop seats close with three additional buttons. At the sides under the armpits are tape loops for attaching hose supporters. One model has "Metal tabs for garters" instead of the tape loops. The Sears ad coy read:

Center top

"Handy Wear" Heavy Weight Waist Union Suits Mothers Will Appreciate these Suits for Their Boys and Girls. Handy-Wear Straining Points re-inforced. Your Choice 69 c. Each Suit. New Improved Quality in Popular Suits! White. 16N7094--Dutch neck, elbow sleeves, knee length. 16N7085--Dutch neck, elbow sleeves, ankle length 16N7087--High neck, long sleeves, ankle length. Clean Mottled Gray Color 167096--High neck, long sleeves, ankle length Ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13 years. State age. Shipping weight, 3/4 pound. These improved Handy Wear Suits will give exceptional wear. The new, improved suits are tearproof! Buttons are fastened to extra bands of elastic ribbed reinforcing. The tailored seat is packed with extra bars of firm stitching at the point of strain--a feature that means more service! These suits are carefully made. Elastic knit of unusually good cotton yarns, with soft, brushed fleecing on the inside for warmth. Flat locked seams produce a neatly fitting garment, sturdy and strong! Correctly sized for comfort and freedom! Beautfiully finished with Rayon stitching around the neck and down the front. Buttons all the way down. Specially built seat, cut to fit! These garments are designed to give the utmost value in service and convenience at a low price. These are the things that make Handy Wear Suits a favorite for the children of America!

Figure 2.--This is the right side of the Sears page on waist union suits.

Bottom Left

About 1/5 Wool. Boys' and Girls' Waist Suits $1.25 And up. Wool! For winter protection and comfort! Here are real suits--elastic knit of one-fifth selected worsted wool yarns, with the balance of finely combed cotton. The convenient popular waist suit style. Made with ankle length, high neck, long sleeves and drop seat. Medium heavy weight. State age. Shipping weight, each suit, 3/4 pound. 16N7112--Cream color 16N7110--Silver gray. Ages, Years 2-3, 4-5 $1.25 each suit 6-7, 8-9 $1.55 each suit 10-11, 12-13 $1.85 each suit

Bottom, middle panel

Notice Low Price For This Special Waist Suit 58 c. Fleeced Cotton Waist Suit--Medium Heavy--For Boys and Girls 16N7084--WhiteAges 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 years. State age. Shipping weight, 3/4 pound. A special value--good cotton waist suits priced amazingly low! Soft, warm elastic knit garments, fleeced inside. Made with buttons fastened to extra bands of sturdy knit reinforcing. Metal tabs for garters. Famous tearproof buttonholes. Neat crochet edging around the high neck. Long sleeves, ankle length, drop seat. These suits are an unusual offer at our price! Good, well made, warm garments that will wear! Buy them at this great saving!

Bottom right

Our Heaviest Cotton Waist Suit for Boys and Girls. Extra Heavy Fleecing 89 c. 16N7078--White Ages, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, and 12-13 years. State age. Shipping wt. 1 lb. Superior! That describes this suit! It's finer quality, in every way! Made of unusually good cotton yarns, with a heavy, thick, soft fleecing on the inside. Flat locked, triple stitched seams; neat pearl buttons all the way down the front. The high colarette neck is beautifully finished with mercerized stitching; the seat is especially constructed with wide gussets for exact fit. Long sleeves, ankle length, drop seat style. This suit is of Pilgrim manufacture, and that means fine materials in sturdy sound construction! Designed to give the utmost in cold weather protection for boys and girls! Save on this quality underwear! It's sold for the lowest prices here--at the World's Largest Store.!

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Created: 3:51 AM 10/16/2004
Last updated: 3:51 AM 10/16/2004