Any indication of buying habits of this whole period would contain two elements :(a) fact, (b) anticipation, and any figure composite of these two Would to some extent have been misleading.
The problem was therefore approached in such a way as to isolate these elements. A question was asked to ascertain when the last garment was bought, and what that garment was. Where this was since June 1941 these figures are given below with the distribution between types of all garments possessed by subjects. Of the whole sample 5,081 women replied to the question: When did you buy your last garment?”
2575, or 51% had bought their last garment since June 1941
x No distinction is made between boned and unboned Suspender Belts.
It will be seen that buying habits during the last 6 months have closely followed the total dispersion previously recorded.
24.
Corsets and Belts bought since June analysed by Occupation
Below are given percentages of all garments bought by Occupation Groups interviewed. With these, for purposes of comparison, are given the percentages of all interviews carried out in these groups and the percentage of the Occupation Group which had bought since June.
Housewives
Light Engineering
Textile
Clerical
Shop Assistant
Other Factories
Transport
Agriculture
Since June 1941
331
12.8
578
22.5
517
20.1
563
22.0
233
9.1
239
9.3
71
2.7
38
1.5
% of interviews in this group
19.8
18.8
19.8
21.6
8.7
7.4
2.3
1.6
% of Occupation Groups which had bought corset
32.5
59.5
51.0
50.5
51.5
62.0
60.0
44.0
It will be seen that buying by Housewives is much less than by other Groups. Other groups bought in proportion to their representation in the Sample, with the exception of Lt. Engineering and Other Factories which bought more heavily.
Type of garment worn at time of interview by those who had bought new corsets or belt since June 1st, 1941
Housewives
Light Engineering
Textile
Clerical
Shop Assistant
Other Factories
Transport
Agriculture
Total
Suspender Belt
Boned
17
11.9
32
22.4
33
23.0
26
18.2
20
14.0
12
8.4
3
2.1
-
-
143
Unboned
29
9.0
69
21.4
27
8.3
125
38.7
33
10.2
20
6.2
17
5.3
3
0.9
323
Roll-on Elastic Belt
Boned
19
16.5
29
25.2
4
3.5
33
28.7
18
15.7
7
6.1
5
4.3
-
-
115
Unboned
30
7.2
77
18.5
51
12.3
45
35.0
59
14.2
34
8.2
16
3.9
3
0.7
415
Rubber corset
Boned
4
3
3
-
6
2
1
-
19
Unboned
2
5
3
2
1
1
-
-
14
Other type of Corset
Boned
184
14.9
308
24.9
333
26.8
176
14.2
78
6.3
134
10.8
20
1.6
6
0.5
239
Unboned
6
10
5
6
4
5
1
1
38
Corselette
Boned
17
11.1
28
18.3
46
30.0
33
21.6
9
5.9
16
10.5
4
2.6
-
153
Unboned
4
7
7
16
2
5
2
1
44
Expectant Mother’s Corset
6
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
7
Surgical Corset
4
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
Total
322
569
512
562
230
236
70
14
2,515
25
Brassieres bought since June 1941
Of the whole sample 2,915 women replied to a question asking when the last garment was bought. 2,265 or 43.8% of the whole sample did not reply. This figure should be compared with the numbers not wearing brassieres.
1,437 or 49%(27.8% of whole sample) had bought last garment since June 1941
1,478 or 51% (28.4% of above sample) had bought before that date
Type of Brassiere bought since June 1941
Boned
Unboned
Bought since June 1941
119
8.8%
1,240
91.2%
All brassieres possessed by women interviewed
10.7%
89.3%
26.
Brassieres bought since June 1941 analysed By Occupation
Housewife
Light Engineering
Textile
Clerical
Shop Assistants
Other Factories
Transport
Agriculture
Since June 1941
161
11.2
357
25.0
242
16.9
341
23.7
150
10.5
106
7.4
40
2.8
37
2.5
% of interviews in this group
19.8
18.8
19.8
21.6
8.7
7.4
2.3
1.6
% of occupation Groups which had bought
15.7
37.0
23.7
30.3
33.3
27.5
34.0
43.0
It will be seen that Housewives bought much less than other groups whilst Light Engineering bought rather more.
Type of garment worn at time of interview by those who had bought new corsets or belt since June 1st, 1941.
Housewife
Light Engineering
Textile
Clerical
Shop Assistants
Other Factories
Transport
Agriculture
Boned
29
18.7
54
34.9
37
23.9
13
8.4
8
5.2
8
5.2
4
2.5
2
1.3
Unboned
122
9.0
428
31.6
191
14.1
317
23.4
137
10.1
93
6.9
36
2.7
31
2.3
Total
151
482
228
330
145
101
40
33
The figures quoted below are based on answers to the question:
“When do you think you will buy your next garment?”
They therefore have not the same firmness as figures quoted above, but may be taken as the result out of expected demand and present conditions.
Corsets and Belts to be bought between December 1941 and June 1942
