Figure 1.-- Long stockings were still commonly wion in Canada during 1940 by both boys and girls. We note two prominent ads for long stockings from Eaton's Fall and Winter cataloge for 1940-41, p. 61. The ad here shows a boy of about 10 or 11 playing football in short pants and long ribbed cotton stockings. |
Long stockings were still commonly wion in Canada during 1940 by both boys and girls. We note two prominent ads for long stockings from Eaton's Fall and Winter cataloge for 1940-41, p. 61. The first ad shows a boy of about 10 or 11
playing football in short pants and long ribbed cotton stockings. There was a second ad for long stockings on the same page. Again we have a boy in short pants and long black stockings playing football--but here woolen stockings rather than cotton ones are featured. There are tree different types
of long stockings offered in the ad.
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.
HBC has noted several images of Canadian boys wearing long stockings. This appears to have been quite similar to American patterns in the late 19th century. HBC has noted that some Canadian boys continued wearing long stockings in the 20th century when many American boys began wearing short socks and kneesocks. In particular Canadian boys appear to have worn longstockings for dress occasions. This appears to have been more prevalent among French Canadians than English Canadians.
We note two prominent ads for long stockings from Eaton's Fall and Winter
cataloge for 1940-41, p. 61.
Both these advertisements picture boys involved in football. The long stockings, however, were for both boys and girls. I don't think the ads meant that they were mostly bought for boys. Rather I think the idea was to reinforce the idea that boys as well as girls wore them. There is no way of knowing to what extent that these long stockings were being purchased for boys or girls. The stockings were probably even more commonly worn by girls. I'm not sure why at least one of the ads did not depict a girl.
The first ad shows a boy of about 10 or 11 playing football in short pants and long ribbed cotton stockings. Notice that the shorts are fairly brief, necessitating quite long stockings, obviously worn with supporters (probably suspended from a Dr. Parker style garter waist preferred by boys engaged in athletics because it was light-weight and less bulky than standard underwaists). The appeal for these long stockings seems to be to athletics and the advantage of keeping one's legs warm during play on the school athletic field. As the ad makes clear, these stockings were also worn by girls, but it is interesting that boys seem to be the main targets of these stockings--or perhaps the mothers of Canadian mothers who wanted to be sure that their sons' legs were protected in chilly weather when they were playing outside. Ribbed stockings were considered more masculine in Canada than the smoother kind preferred by girls. Only two colors are offered--Dark Fawn and Black. Black is obviously the color illustrated. These stockings are offered in larger sizes--up to size 10, which is the proper size for a 15 or even 16-year old boy and an even older girl. The ad makes it clear that these stockings would be appropriate for fall weather when it had become too chilly to wear socks. The ad copy read, "Fine-Ribbed Cotton For All 'round Wear
An economy-buy, these, for romping girls or boys, featuring all the practical
good-wearing, good-washing qualities of cotton hosiery. A grand start for
early in the season, when it's first time to discard warm-weather socks. Note
that even the larger sizes are priced at less than a quarter a pair! Remember
that cotton knits tub with the minumum of care, because cotton has little
tendency to shrink. Knit of durable one-ply cotton yarns, fine-ribbed to the
toe. Colors: Dark Fawn or Black
420-222. Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2 Pair 19 cents.
Sizes 8, 8 1/2, 9. 9 1/2, 10. Pair 23 cents.
Figure 2.-- The ad here shows a boy of about 10 or 11 playing football in short pants and long ribbed cotton stockings. The ads here depict boys, but these stockings were probably even more commonly worn by girls. |
There was a second ad for long stockings on the same page. Again we have a boy in short pants and long black stockings playing football--but here woolen stockings rather than cotton ones are featured. There are tree different types
of long stockings offered in the ad.
The ad copy read, "All-Wool Worsted Knits. A serviceable weight for children or todlers--warm,
sturdy, a dependable value. Knit of 2-ply all-wool worsted yarns with an
extra one-ply wool yarn in heel to withstand scuffing and wear. Knit 2/1
ribbed style with ribbing that extends right to the toe. Note that prices
vary according to size--check carefully and please be certain to mention size
and color wanted when ordering. 420-263. Colors: Dark Fawn or Black. Sizes
5, 5 1/2 Pair 35 c.; 6, 6 1/2 Pair 45 c.; 7, 7 1/2 Pair 55 c.; 8, 8 1/2 Pair
65 c.; 9, 9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2 Pair 75 c.
The ad copy read, "'Granny Knit' Ribbed Wool
Heavy weights, these, geared to brave any blizzard! And boys and girls both
will want them. Toasty-warm heavy 2-ply all-wool worsted yarns with extra one-
ply wool yarn in heel and toe for greater reinforcement. Knit in broad 4/1
ribbed style with ribbing extended to the tip of the toe. Top finished with
2/1 ribbing for snugger fit. Colors: Fawn or Black. Priced according to size.
420-252. Sizes 7, 7 1/2 Pair 85 c.; sizes 8, 8 1/2 Pair 90 c.; sizes 9, 9 1/2
Pair 95 c.; sizes 10, 10 1/2 Pair $1.00."
The ad copy read, "'Blizzard' Ribbed Wool Worsted. Popular Winter-Weight
Time-tested for warmth and wear and downright satisfaction. Give your
youngsters the benefit of their comfort and protection--you'll find them an
investment well worthwhile. Knit of rugged 2-ply all-wool yarns with extra
reinforcement at heel and toe--stretchy 2/1 ribbed style with ribbing
extending right to the toe. Canadian-made and suitable for boys or girls.
Grand as over-stockings too. Colors: Dark Fawn, Cardinal, Heather Brown.
Priced according to size.
420-261 Sizes 6, 6 1/2 Pair 55 c.; Sizes 7, 7 1/2 Pair 65 c.; Sizes 8, 8 1/2
Pair 75 c.; Sizes 9, 9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2 Pair 85 c." [Note: These all-wool long stockings must have felt rather scratchy on the
upper legs unless the children wore them over long underwear. But they were
obviously felt to be necessary in the colder parts of Canada if children
continued to wear short dresses and trousers in winter weather. The
possibility of wearing them over lighter-weight stockings, probably cotton, is
also mentioned.]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing catalog/magazine pages:
[Return to the Main Canadian mail order general 1940 page]
[Return to the Main Canadian mail order general 1940s page]
[Main photo/publishing page]
[Store catalogs]
[Fashion magazines]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Canadian page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[French glossary]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Sailor suits]
[Sailor hats]
[Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits]
[Rompers]
[Smocks]
[Pinafores]
[Long stockings]
[Underwear]