Figure 1.--Canadian boys like American boys, commonly wore flat caps in the early-20th century. They were the nost popular cap during the 1910s, 20s, and early-30s. There were quite a variety of styles.

We have some limited information on headwear worn by Canadian boys. Cold weather caps seem especially important and were similar to styles worn in northern states like Maine and Minnesota. We suspect that the styles were very similar to those worn by American boys. Boys from affluent families may have worn British styles as well. We have noted boys wearing British-style peaked school caps. These were also worn in America. Much more common were various styles of flat caps. We note a lot of Canadian boys wearing flat caps in the early-20th century just as innAmerica. We do not know if French Candian boys wore different styles. We have noted some boys wearing berets which we think are mostly French-Canadian boys. Boys as in America and France commonly wore sailor caps and hats. Canada is second after the United States in the popularity of baseball. Most Canadian boys by the late-20th century wear baseball caps similar to their American counterparts. [Alcock]

Influences

The primary influences concerning headwear was the climate. Warm headwear along with other cold weather gear i need during the winterWe see knit stocking caps and various cap styles with ear flaps were worn such as lumberjack style caps. The later is used by comedians seeking to lapoon Canadians. There were also national influences. The primary fashion influence with headwear seems to have been America, perhaps because the climate is more similar to Canada than that of England. and of course the United States is a large country with an important fashion indutry. This may explain thge importance if tge flat cap and subsequently baseball caps. We do note some English influence, especially among upper-class Canadians. We note a few boys wearing peaked caps. We are less sure about French influences. we note younger boys wearing berets, but we have seen that in America as well. Berets seem, however, more common in Canada and we see somewhat older boys wearing them. We are not entirely sure about the fashion influences involved here. We assume thar berets were most common French Canadians, although we are not sure. nd we do not know to what extent English Canadians wore them. The French came to Canada before the French began wearing berets. So the influence would have been through fashion magazine are other such sources. Most of the exmples we have found seem to be from the early 19th century through to the 1950s.

Chronology

Communities

We do not know if French Candian boys wore different styles. One notable difference was that berets were much more likely to be worn by French Canadian boys than English-speaking Canadian boys.

Styles

We note Canadian boys wearing various styles of caps and hats, but have only limited information at this time. Much of what we see is very similar to the United States, but there are some differences. Many of the camp styles seem very similar to popuilar American styles. We note many boys wearing flat caps just as was the case in America during comparable years. We noticed some differences. Berets seem have to have been more common in Canada, at least in Ontario among French Canadian boys. We tend to see British-style peaked caps more commonly in Ontaruio anong English Canadians. Of course we understandably note boys commonly wearing cold-weather caps.

Sources

Alcock, James. E-mail, July 24, 2002 and August 6, 2003.

Created: June 22, 2001
Last updated: 8:04 PM 5/28/2012