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Sweaters of course were important in countries like Canada situated in norther latitudes. We have an interesting color page from the Eaton's catalog with several winter sweaters that shows what colors were used. Eaton referred to the winter sweaters offered on this page as "Boys' Long Service Sweaters". Meaning of course that they were well-made and durable and would last for some time, an important concern when buying boys' clothing. Eaton's was introducing some new styles.
T. Eaton's was a well known Toranto department store. Their catalogs provide a good indication of the styles popular in Canada at the time. This Canadian retailer began publishing mailorder catalogs in 1881, at least that is we begin noticing them. We have catalogs from the 1970s, although we do not know about the company's current status. The 1970s catalgs were full of clothes which look like American styles. Timothy Eaton, founder of the huge all-Canadian department store
chain bearing his name, was an Irish immigrant born on a tennant farm in northern Ireland. He was born in 1834 and followed his brothers to Canada in 1854. His brothers had opened a small dty goods store in St. Marys. Timothy Eaton began his business with a small dry goods business in Toronto during 1869. He built a giant retail store in Ontario’s capital city along with a country-wide mail-order business and a big new branch store in Winnipeg, by the time of his death in 1907. The Winnipeg branch was the first of many branches. Eaton Company business establishments eventually spread all across Canada when Timothy’s family successors extended the Eaton
empire. Timothy masterminded the company during the crucial period of its early development, spanning nearly 40 years. It was Timothy who implemented the concept of the "Department Store", in Canada, a concept which were already flourishing in London, Paris, and New York.
A sweater is a knitted jacket or jersey worn by adults and children. The term derives from a garment originally worn by adults during erercising to induce sweating and reduce weight or for warmth. Sweaters have commonly been worn by European and American boys for several centuries. They are generally made in pullover or cardigan style, with or without sleves. Sweaters were initialy knitted from wool, but now synthetic fibers are also commonly worn.
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Eaton referred to the winter sweaters offered on this page as "Boys' Long Service Sweaters" (page 277). Meaning of course that they were well-made and durable and would last for some time, an important concern when buying boys' clothing. Eaton's was introducing some new styles. These sweaters were mostlt blended wool-cottonn yarns, but there was one expensive all-wool sweater.
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Serviceable
Sizes 26, 28, 30, 32
90-630 This boys' Sweater Coat is exceptionally good value. Knit in a
Jumbo stitch of cotton and wool yarns and it will stand plenty of hard
wear; large, buttoning shawl collar, two pockets, and close-knit cuffs
and skirt. Brown body with Fawn trimmings. Price $2.50." (Figure 3) Notice that the wide collar was called a "shawl collar". I'm not dsure when this sweater collsr first appeared. I think it was popular in the 1910s.
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Here's a Special Value.
Sizes 28, 30, 32, 34.
90-631. This is a splendid value for the boy who is in need of a warm
Sweater which will stand the wear and tear of daily use without
detracting from its general appearance. Knit in Jumbo stitch of good
wearing cotton and wool yarns in regular Sweater Coat style with
pockets as illustrated. Colors: Brown or Maroon. Eaton-Made. Price
$3.25." (Figure 1)
The Eaton's ad copy read, "For General Wear
Sizes 26, 28, 30, 32, 34
90-632. A splendid Sweater Coat of strong, good wearing cotton and
wool yarns. Large shawl collar, buttons snugly around neck, two
pockets, close-ribbed cuffs and skirt. Brown with Myrtle or Brown with
Orange. Price $3.75." I'm not sure why this sweater was labeled for "general wear". Tt seems go us thsat this could describe all the sweaters here. Note the destinctive color detailing. (Figure 3)
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Snug and Long-Wearing.
Sizes 28, 30, 32, 34
90-633 Just the Sweater Coat for club or general wear--made of
serviceable wool and cotton with buttoning shawl collar, close ribbed
skirt, cuffs, deep side pockets. Sporty color combinations--Navy with
Crdinal Stripes or Brown with Myrtle Stripes as illustrated. Price
$4.50." (figure 1)
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Very Popular
Sizes 30, 32, 34
90-634 One of our best liked in Boys' Sweater Coats. It is knit of
heavy strong wool and cotton yarn in Jumbo stitch with large shawl
buttoning collar, two pockets and elastic ribbed cuffs. Maroon body
with smart contrasting Orange stripes. Price, delivered $5.00."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Sizes: 30, 32, 34
90-636 One of the very newest styles in boys' wear--and they are
all-wool, too. Knit of a fine good-wearing yarn, with large shawl
collar, which buttons up warmly around neck; two deep, roomy pockets.
Come in attractive color effects as illustrated. Purple with Gold
trimmings and Brown with Kelly trimmings. Price, delivered $5.50." (Figure 1)
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The Eaton's ad copy read, "Heavy Jumbo Stitch Swseater.
Sizes 28, 30, 32, 34.
90-637 Boys! Just the Sweater for your winter sports and cold weather
wear. Knit in the popular V-neck pullover style with large shawl
collar and two pockets. Close-knit cuffs and skirt. Navy or Maroon as
illustrated. Price $3.10." (Figure 2)
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Boys' Rolled Collar Style
Sizes 26, 28, 30, 32
90-639 A style that has always proven popular with boys--regular
pullover Sweater with roll collar; is knit of splendid wearing union
yarn with close ribbed cuffs and skirt. Colors in a choice of Brown
with Cardinal or Navy with Cardinal. Price $2.30." Note the term "rolled collars" used for turtle necks. (Figure 2)
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