This pair of boy's underpants is part of a collection of Australian made children's clothing dating from 1948 to 1963.

Originating in a children's wear shop at North Sydney, this collection typifies the type of clothing and accessories used by middle class children in New South Wales during this period. Although it is not known why the shop closed down, a possible factor could have been the decline in independent retailers from the 1960s, with the rise of suburban department stores, shopping malls and chain stores.

The clothing in this collection illustrates the prevalence of Australian-made garments at a time when high tariffs were placed on imported goods and the local product was therefore competitive. This began to change in the early 1970s when tariffs on imported goods were reduced and cheaper clothing from overseas came onto the Australian market. The result was a decline in Australian manufacturing in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.

Designed by Munsingwear Inc in America and made by Bonds in Australia.

This pair of boy's underpants is part of a collection of clothing from a small North Sydney children's wear shop that closed down in the early 1960s and is thought to have been demolished. The shop's unsold contents were packed in a garage until Lorraine Foster of The Vintage Clothing Shop purchased the whole collection around 2000. The clothing dates from 1948 to 1963 and includes many brands, probably all Australian made. Most items retain their labels and some are still in their original packaging. None had been sold or worn.

Packaged underpants, boys, cotton / plastic, designed by Munsingwear, made by Bond's, United States of America, 1948-1963

Pair of boys white cotton underpants with elastic waist. The underpants are folded with a printed cardboard label wrapped around them and packaged in a clear plastic bag. The printed label has a green ground, graphic of a pair of underpants and a boy's head and text 'BOND'S/JUNIOR S'PORT BRIEFS/IN SUEDE INTERLOCK COTTON/WITH HORIZONTAL FLY'.

Designed: Munsingwear Inc; United States of America

Made: Bonds Industries Limited; Australia; 1948 - 1963

Printed on back of label 'THE UNDERWEAR WITH/bounce/SIZES 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32./DESIGNED BY Munsingwear/U.S.A.'. White fabric label inside centre back of underpants is obscured except for the size '30'. Small cardboard label sticky taped to front and back of packaging 'PICC4/6/11'.

2007/21/16

225 mm

115 mm

16 mm