Figure 1.--This Canadian girl weats a Red River coat. Tome the red pom and belt with long stockings. The photograph was taken about 1960. Both boys and girls woire these Red River coats.

Coats are of course an important garment for Canadian children. The climate in Canada has of course affected the clothing to a substantial extent warm coats were needed during the winter. Various styles of coats were worn. Through the 1950s, double breasted styles were common. Boys coats in the 1950s often had fur collars. In America this was fake fur. I assume the same was true in Canada, but can not yet confirm this. One especially popular type of winter coat was the Red River coat which was worn by boys and girls. Canadian readers tell us that the duffle coats were a very important style during the 1970s. Candian boys wore duffle coats throughout the 1960s and 70s, but they have have since declined in popularity. Most Canadian children today have zip-up winter jackets, called ski jackets. [Alcock]

Climate

Coats are of course an important garment for Canadian children. The climate in Canada has of course affected the clothing to a substantial extent warm coats were needed during the winter.

Chronology

Styles

Various styles of coats have been worn by Canadian boys.

Double-breasted coats

Through the 1950s, double breasted styles were common. Boys coats in the 1950s often had fur collars. In America this was fake fur. I assume the same was true in Canada, but can not yet confirm this.

Red River coats

One especially popular type of winter coat was the Red River coat which was worn by boys and girls. A Canadian reader tells us, "I realize the Red River was a kind of duffle-coat with a hood and [?tuque] with red pom. There was also a red wool belt which was was usefull when it was really freezing. The child put this belt over his face like a scarf. Boots were in rubber with 3 clips . Not really good for skying! Leggings were red as the [?tuque] mittens, belt. Stockings were under leggings and keep the child warm. In looking at windows, you can have an idea how cold it was cold outside. I think it was one of the most beautiful winyter outfits worn by children until 12. Both boys and girls wore them." [Coron]

Duffle coats

We believe that the duffle coat was also widely worn in Canada. One reader tells us that the duffle coat was especially popular in Canada during the 1970s. It was worn by both boys and girls. The styles and colors seem similar to those worn by American children at about the same time. We notice the toggles as worn on the classic duffle coat were usually a feature of Canadian duffle coats. We notice mostly beige and dark blue duffle coats. Candian boys wore duffle coats throughout the 1960s and 70s, but they have have since declined in popularity.

Ski coats

Most Canadian children today have zip-up winter jackets in bright colors that are called ki jackets. [Alcock]

Unknown style

We are not sure yet what the proper English term is for this coat. They might be called jckets because the are mid-length. We are not sure hiw common it was in Canada. We see similar coats wirn in America. The have one image of a boy wearing it so we know it was made in child sizes. Our Canadian archive, however, is not large enough o know how popular it was. A French reader writes us,"The winner coat worn by the little French-Canadian boy in the beret section was also worn in France during the 1950s. Interestingly we called it, a 'canadienne' (Canadian). I'm not sure what the Canadians called it. For us it was a adult man's coat. We children during the 50s wore other styles during the winter. Perhaps the most common was a 'manteau'. Both boys and girls wore them from about 6 years of age into our teens. Younger children might wear a 'manteau baby ', again both boys abd girls from about 2 to 8 years of age. Another popular style was a duffle coat (pronounced Doo-fell côt ) wich was much in fashion during the 50s. Boys from about 10 years of age wore a caban as did adult men."

Souurces

Alcock, James. E-mail message, August 6, 2003.

Coron, Michel. E-mail message. August 5, 2003

Created: August 9, 2003
Last updated: 9:14 PM 6/2/2012