Varsity Men and Junior Women

Men's wool swimsuit, 1930s.

Felice Fashion, For the Junior Miss, The F. & R. Lazarus & Co., 1920s 

Department Stores recognized the unique marketing opportunity of college students as early as the turn of the twentieth century, and those in Columbus were no exception. One popular place to shop in Columbus was the “Varsity Men’s Store” at the Union. The Union was a department store that began as a gent’s furnishings shop in 1894. The Union, among other local stores, frequently advertised in OSU football programs. 

In 1926, Lazarus opened its “Collegienne Shops.” This in-store shop offered coats, suits, dresses, lingerie, shoes, and sportswear in junior sizes for a more youthful body type. Junior brands of fashion experienced an explosion in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly among high school and college women.  

There are several examples of fashions targeted to the college man and junior customer throughout the exhibit. This section features a 1930s swimsuit produced by “Campus Swimwear”, and a 1920s dress from the F. & R. Lazarus & Co. Collegiene Shop.