Figure 1.-- The term "panty waist" is essentially an alternative term for "underwaist" (worn by both boys and girls), because underwaists had buttons to which panties could be attached as well as supporters for long stockings. Boys and girls sometimes wore underwaists until the age of 12, but boys usually stopped wearing them by the age of 10, and the term, panty-waist, seems to have been reserved for children (at least in the case of boys) of eight or younger, because most boys older than that didn't wear panties. This is an example from the 1932 Sears catalog, although the term "panty waist" is not used.

The term "panty waist" is essentially an alternative term for "underwaist" (worn by both boys and girls), because underwaists had buttons to which panties could be attached as well as supporters for long stockings. Boys and girls sometimes wore underwaists until the age of 12, but boys usually stopped wearing them by the age of 10, and the term, panty-waist, seems to have been reserved for children (at least in the case of boys) of eight or younger, because most boys older than that didn't wear panties. The majority of boys who wore underwaists wore them over union suits, which combined underwear tops and bottoms in a single garment. Very young boys, however, sometimes wore separate underwear shirts and pants (or panties), and the underpants or panties usually buttoned onto a waist. This Sears advertisement from the 1932 Fall catalog (p. 147) shows a young boy, probably aged about four or five, wearing an underwaist to which a cotton "panty" is buttoned. Although the term "panty-waist" is not actually used, the combination of the two garments in a single ad (the "waist" and the "panty") clearly illustrates how the term panty-waist originated.

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.

Underwaist

Sears calls the garment here simply a "waist". Varying terms were used for many of the garments. The term HBC used is "underwaist". 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.

Panty Waist

The term "panty waist" is essentially an alternative term for "underwaist" (worn by both boys and girls), because underwaists had buttons to which panties could be attached as well as supporters for long stockings. The illustration shows a young boy, probably aged about 4 or 5 years of age, wearing an underwaist to which a cotton "panty" is buttoned. Although the term "panty-waist" is not actually used, the combination of the two garments in a single ad (the "waist" and the "panty") clearly illustrates how the term panty-waist originated. Older boys who had outgrown panty-waists (or at least the "panty" that buttoned onto a waist) teased boys whose mothers continued to dress them in such waists, and the term panty-waist thus became a slang word for sissy boy or mother's boy that has lasted long after the actual garments from which the term derives had disappeared from use. Some retailers did actually market pant waists, although the spelling varies. The Lane Bryant catalog in 1935 shows two other styles of pantie waists for children aged 8 or younger. An add for Kazoo Suspender waists, which appealed to older boys who needed supporters for long stockings, points out that boys who continued to wear "feminine" underwaists (or panty waists) were mercilessly teased.

Gender

Boys and girls sometimes wore underwaists until the age of 12, but boys usually stopped wearing them by the age of 10 or younger, and the term, panty-waist, seems to have been reserved for children (at least in the case of boys) of 8 years or younger, because most boys older than that didn't wear panties. The majority of boys who wore underwaists wore them over union suits, which combined underwear tops and bottoms in a single garment. Very young boys, however, sometimes wore separate underwear shirts and pants (or panties), and the underpants or panties usually buttoned onto a waist.

Chronology

This Sears advertisement here is from from the 1932 Fall catalog (p. 147).

Age

The boy shown in the illustration is wearing an underwaist made in even sizes from 2 to 8.

Material

It is made of cotton twill.

Construction

The garment has reinforcement straps over the shoulders and waist buttons to which the underpants are shown already buttoned on. Notice that the shoulder straps have buttons so that the waist can be lengthened for a boy who was growing fast. The waist also has supporter tabs (apparently tape loops) at the sides so that pin-on garters for long stockings can be attached over the hips. The garters (not shown) would be worn over the underpants and attached at the sides over the hips. Notice that this waist buttons in front, a feature that made it easier for young boys to manage. Girls wore similar underwaists sometimes buttoned down the back rather than in front so the buttons wouldn't show under low-cut dresses.

Ad Copy

The garment was labeled simply "Waist". The ad copy read, "Recommended by Mothers! Waist 38K2307--White. 29 cents. Ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 years. State age size. Better quality. Durable Cotton Twill Waist. Adjustable Shoulder straps. Has taped buttons and garter tabs. A sturdy garment. [Although a boy is shown in the advertisement, this waist would presumably be suitable also for a girl. Some panty-waists were sold with hose supporters already attached, but this one simply has the tape tabs for pin-on supporters which Mother would purchase separately.] Combed Cotton Panty 38K2318 Cream-white [for boys]; 38K2305 Flesh [colored; presumably for girls]. 29 cents. Ages 2, 4, 6, and 8 years. State age. When not included in order of $2.00 or more, send 4 cents for postage. Nicely fleeced combed cotton Panty with Rayon stripes. Buttonhole waistband [for attachment to the waist shown above]

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Created: 12:28 AM 10/16/2007
Last updated: 12:29 AM 10/16/2007