Figure 1.--Eatons in its 1949-50 Fall-Winter catalog offered kneesocks for both boys and girls. The boys here are shown as wearing turn-over-top socks with breeches. The girl here wears kneesocks without the turn-over-tops with a skirt. These conventions were not firm as we have seem photographs of Canadania girls wearing turn-over-top kneesocks. Notice the leather and reinforced knees on the breeches. I have not noted similar garments in the United States. |
Eatons offered a range of socks, both ankle socks and kneesocks. The kneesocks received the greatest attention it was the Winter catalog. The Kneesocks were called "knicker hose". They were for both boys and girls. We also note ankle socks. The ankle sock were clearly idebtified as boys' socks.
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.
Eatons offered a range of socks, both ankle socks and kneesocks. The kneesocks received the greatest attention it was the Winter catalog. The ankle socks were called "half socks". They were for boys. We notice several different styles of kneesocks. The clear suggestion here is that most boys wore kneesocks.
We notice several different types of kneesocks, both turn-over-top socks and plain kneesocks. The turn-over-top socks had patterns at the top. The heading reads, "STURDY HOSE FOR ON-THE-GO YOUNGSTERS"
The Eaton's ad copy read, "RIBBED COTTON AND WOOLKnicker hose in 7/8 length with a snappy turn-over cuff in the bright Jacquard pattern. Rugged quality to take the year on-the-go youngsters give,and heatercolored to resist soil. Knit in a good-looking 3/1 ribbing that goes right to the toe. Colors
Blue heather; brown heater;grey. Sizes 7, 71/2, 8,81/2, 9, 91/2, 10,
101/2. State size and color wanted.
1-2246 Price, pair.........69¢"
The Eaton's ad copy read, "PLAIN KNIT HOSE in 5/8 length- dressy for best, right for everyday. Finely knit of sofy Cotton and wool yarns with straight-up ribbed cuffs that have elastic knit in to hold them neat. Colored in serviceable shades to go with an active little miss's, outfit. Practical hose that should give good wear. Colors Red; Navy; Brown. Size 6,61/2, 7, 71/2,
8,81/2. Be sure to state size and colorwhen ordering.
1-2233. Price, pair..........57¢"
The Eaton's ad copy read, " OUTSTANDING VALUE in these EATONIA Knicker Hose- made in Englaeo
exacting EATON specifications . 7/8 length , rib-knit of soft-textured wear-resistant All-Wool yarns. The strechy 4/1 rib runs right to the toes .Heels and toes are reinforced. Dressy turnover cuffs have "Lastex" knit in. Colors Dark Fawn; Light Fawn; Grey. Sizes 7. 71/2, 8,81/2, 9, 91/2, 10, 101/2. state size and color.
1-2252 EATONIA Value. Pair 1.00"
These were similar to the others, but all turn-over-top styles. . All with the exception of one pair had a variety of patterns at the top. Like the other socks, they were described as knicker hose. Most were socks done in cilors like blue (mostly navy), brown, and grey. One pair was done in red. None were done in black. Many boys wore these socks with breeches.
There were two styles of ankle socks. One was imported from England. The other was referred to as a dress sock. Here we are not sure why. The socks were about the same price. The dress socks are done in bright colors. We would hsvre thought that the more muted solid colors stocksd would have been more suitable for dress wear. Note that only two styles of ankle socks were offered. This suggrsts tyhat theyy were nmot very commonly worn.
The Eaton's ad copy read, "HALF-LENGTH SOCKS with bright-striped tops to take a kiddie's eye, and with the serviceable value that appeals to mothers . Made in England. Plain knit of fine, soft Wool yarns, mixed with rayon. Heels and toes reinforced. Straight-up cuffs knit with a close -fitting 1/1 ribbing, and stripped in peppy contrast. Color Fawn, flecked with the
while of Rayon yarns. Sizes 6, 61/2,7, 71/2, 8, 81/2, 9 .
1- 2254 Price, pair................ 50¢"
The Eaton's ad copy read, "BOYS' DRESS SOCKS - snappy colors are arranged in stripes, and knit in sturdy Cotton yarns that should wear and wear. Fine ribbed tops have knit-in elastic - no dropping at the ankle. Modestly priced, easy on the budget. Ground colors Navy; Wine, Brown, with multi-color stripe
in contrast. Sizes 8. 81/2, 9, 91/2, 10, 101/2. Be sure to state size and color desired when ordering.
1-2282. Price, pair...................49¢"
Something interesting here. Eaton was England-oriented in buying there. Many of these socks were sourced in England. It will be interesting to take a look in later years to learn when American styles and clothes made in other countries entered the Canadian market.
A HBC reader writes, "I found the comments of your Canadian reader on the wearing of long stockings in Canada and in the northern states of the USA very interesting and quite convincing. And this would explain the prominence of long stocking ads in the Sears and Wards catalogues of the 1940s. After about 1945, however,
the long stocking ads suddenly drop off in number and prominence (in the American catalogues)." This is an important point. Etons in 1949 devoyed an entire page to long stockings with many different styles of long stockings. Catalogs are not a perfect indicator, in part because a particular company may cater to a specific clientele or introduce new styles that do not prove popular. We believe, however, that the prominence of long stockings in this Canadian catalog in 1949 compared to the limited offering in 1949 American catalogs is an accurate indicator of the relative popularity of long stockings in the two countries.
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