More research has been conducted regarding women's
costume history than that of men's historic costume. One
area in which little research has been conducted concerns
men's boxer underwear. The need for additional research
dealing with basic style changes of men's boxer undershorts
was compelling to this researcher, as well as adding to the
literature concerning men's historic costume.
The purpose of this study was to research the
availability of men's boxer undershorts post World War II
(1946-1988). Specifically, based on pictorial underwear
fashions illustrated in the Sears Annual Merchandise
Catalog, this study documented and analyzed the availability
of boxer undershorts as to fiber content, fabric structure,
color, style features, and special design motifs during the
time period studied. The objective of the study was to
increase the knowledge of men's historic costume through an
investigation into the styles of men's boxer undershorts.
The historical continuity of fashion, as well as other
theories concerning fashion change served as the theoretical
framework for this study. The historical continuity process
of fashion proposes that each new fashion is an evolutionary
outgrowth and elaboration of the previous fashion (Blumer,
1969). Examples include past research by Young (1937),
Kroeber (1919), and Robinson (1976), which indicated that
changes in fashions took place in well-defined cycles.
It is believed by some researchers that broad fashion
trends follow an evolutionary process. However, specific
fashion details and styles may be a result of social events,
technological advances, and other cultural activities.
Studies by researcher's such as Baker (1962), Nugent (1962),
and Behling (1985-1986) found relationships between women's
clothing and changes in society.
To document and analyze men's boxer undershorts, Sears
Annual Merchandise Catalog was selected. Spring/Summer
issues in two-year issues were chosen between the years of
1946 and 1988, which yielded a sample of 237 boxer
undershorts. With seriation of the boxer undershorts, a
frequency distribution was completed.
Five research hypotheses were tested to accomplish the
objective of the study. Results indicated that there were
differences between the frequency of occurrence among a)
fiber content, b) color, and c) style features. However,
there was not a significant difference of occurrence among
fabric structure of men's boxer undershorts. In addition,
due to lack of information concerning fabric design motifs,
an analysis was not able to be performed concerning this
hypothesis.
These findings support the belief that there are broad
changes in boxer undershorts which follow an evolutionary
process, however, specific changes in details are a result
of society's influence. This is evident in the changes
concerning fiber content, color, and style features which
were influenced by technological advances. The fact that
fabric structure of boxer undershorts was not influenced by
society suggests that this is a broad trend which follows an
evolutionary process.
Comparing these results with data collected from
advertisments in a fashion magazine such as Esquire is
suggested for further study. The data also suggest that
further study comparing the trends in style features of
boxer undershorts documented in this study with those of
men's trousers of the same time period would provide another
topic for research. / Graduation date: 1991
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/37546 |
| Date | 22 May 1990 |
| Creators | Tatarka, Bernadette |
| Contributors | Bryant, Nancy O. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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