[oh8eleven]

the little disposable umbrellas sold on the streets during the Great Depression were called “Hooverettes.”
Interesting. Couldn't find them, but did find two others ...

[Larry Lucido]

More info here. (Might be where you got that one picture).

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http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2010/08/hooverettes.html

Among the frocks, smocks, coverall aprons and coat dresses are three “Hooverettes”, a term that seems forgotten.

One would guess the clothing was named for Herbert Hoover who was President from 1929 to 1933. Although most of the suffering occurred after Roosevelt took over, Hoover carried the blame for the Great Depression.

Dorothea Lange portrait of a woman in a California camp in the 1930s.

“Hoover buggies” were old cars so broken down they were pulled by horses; “Hoovervilles” were camps for the homeless and “Hoover hog” was a main dish of rabbit or armadillo.

Hooverette as a name for a dress costing 47 cents might thus reflect depression frugality. However, the Dictionary of American Region English defines “Hoover Apron” as slang for a coverall or housedress with an overlapping reversible front, a name reflecting Hoover’s earlier career as an effective administrator of post-WWI-relief in Europe. The wrap-front dress could be worn until the bodice was dirty and then the overlap reversed to reveal a clean area. The name Hooverette or Hoover Apron alludes to an efficient work dress.