Figure 1.--Canadian boys as in America and Europe also wore sailor suits. We have little information about this fashion specifically related to Canada. A Canadian reader has provided us a photograph of an English Canadian boy wearing a traditionally styled sailor suit in 1928.

Canadian boys as in America and Europe also wore sailor suits. We have little information about this fashion specifically related to Canada. A far as we can tell, Canadian boys wore the same style of sailor suits as worn in the United States. There may have been more of a British influence in the mid 19th century, but by the turn of the 20th century they seem to be wearing rather American style sailor headwear and suits. An example is a family portrait taken by an itinerate photographer, probably on New Brunswick. The two boys in the family wear matching white sailor suits with floppy tam-like headwear. A Canadian reader has provided us a photograph of an English Canadian boy wearing a traditionally styled sailor suit in 1928. The suit is quite a bit different than those worn by American boys. Perhaps it is based on an English style. The cap is a type we have not noted being commonly worn in the 1920s, either in America or England. We are insure to what extent it was a popular boy's style in Canada. We also notice Canadian boys wearing tunic suits done in the sailor style.

Canadian Suits

Canadian boys as in America and Europe also wore sailor suits. We have little information about this fashion specifically related to Canada. A far as we can tell, Canadian boys wore the same style of sailor suits as worn in the United States and Britain. Of course as a British dominion, the Royal Navy traditions are particularly important in Canada. There were no complicating factors such as in France with different uniform items. The Canadian Navy uses the same uniform as the British Royal Navy. Fasion influences from America are also a factor.

Chronology

There may have been more of a British influence in the mid 19th century, but by the turn of the 20th century they seem to be wearing rather American style sailor headwear and suits. An example is a family portrait taken by an itinerate photographer, probably on New Brunswick. The two boys in the family wear matching white sailor suits with floppy tam-like headwear. A Canadian reader has provided us a photograph of an English Canadian boy wearing a traditionally styled sailor suit in 1928. The suit is quite a bit different than those worn by American boys. Perhaps it is based on an English style.

Garments

The cap is a type we have not noted being commonly worn in the 1920s, either in America or England. We are insure to what extent it was a popular boy's style in Canada. One of the charms of the sailor suit is that it was the enlised uniform, even when worn by royalty and the very rich. We also nte a strange triangular cap worn iby boys in New Bruswick. We believe that thee are exceptions and that the standard sailor headwear worn in Britain and America were more common. Our limited archive of Canadian images, however, makes this difficult to prove. Other sailor grments such as middy blouses and slong and short pants seem failrly standard in in Canada. We also notice Canadian boys wearing tunic suits done in the sailor style.

Created: February 27, 2003
Last updated: 3:06 AM 1/7/2007