Figure 1.--There is some useful information on Canadian hosiery--long stockings, three-quarter hose, knicker hose, infants' stockings in the Eaton's Spring-Summer 1940 catalog. Four types of hosiery for boys and girls are advertised in the Eaton's catalog various qualities |
There is some useful information on Canadianhosiery--long stockings, three-quarter hose, knicker hose, infants' stockings in the Eaton's Spring-Summer 1940 catalog. Four types of hosiery for boys and girls are advertised in the Eaton's catalog various qualities--(1) full-length stockings for
formality and chilly spring weather (for both boys and girls); (2)
knee-length knicker socks for boys with turned-over cuffs but in plain
colors (except for the cuffs); (3) three quarter-length socks with
turn-over cuffs and plain legs (principally designed for girls although
perhaps worn by quite young boys); and (4) calf-length socks for older
boys or "youths" to be worn with adult men's garters. The sizes and
colors give us a lot of information about boys' hosiery in Canada at
the turn of the 1940s decade during World War II.
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.
Long stockings were commonly worn in the late 19th century and persisted somewhat longer in Canada than America. They were worn with both short pants and knickers, although kneesocks had become more common by the 1930s. The kneesocks worn in Canada, were often quite heavy, thick styles. During the winter long stockings and kneesocks were probably also worn with long pants--although this is difficult to determine. Long stockings appear to have been worn with short pants as a dressy outfit more commonly than in America. HBC has only limited information on hosiery at this time, but the long stockings that we have noted had all been dark--probably black.
The page here comes from the Eaton's Spring and Summer catalog for 1940, p. 61.
Four types of hosiery for boys and girls are advertised in the Eaton's catalog various qualities--(1) full-length stockings for
formality and chilly spring weather (for both boys and girls); (2)
knee-length knicker socks for boys with turned-over cuffs but in plain
colors (except for the cuffs); (3) three quarter-length socks with
turn-over cuffs and plain legs (principally designed for girls although
perhaps worn by quite young boys); and (4) calf-length socks for older
boys or "youths" to be worn with adult men's garters. The sizes and
colors give us a lot of information about boys' hosiery in Canada at
the turn of the 1940s decade during World War II.
The long stockings are available in sizes as high as 10 1/2 (large enough to
fit children as old as 17). Probably the largest sizes were worn
mostly by girls and "Misses", but we know that boys in Canada,
especially in places like Quebec, continued to wear long stockings with
short pants at least up to the age of 14, so larger sizes were needed
for boys as well as girls. The colors are also revealing. White and
Black long stockings were still being sold. White would have been worn
mostly by girls (although white would have been appropriate for church
occasions such as First Communion for both genders), and black long
stockings would have been the usual color for boys' First Communion and
other formal occasions. The dominant colors of long stockings,
however, for both boys and girls in Canada appear to have been "Mid
Fawn" and "Dark Fawn" (tan and brown) with the occasional preference
for beige or light tan (as in the United States).
The weave of long stockings in Canada is also important here. Notice
that many of the styles emphasize ribbed stockings. Ribbed stockings
were sturdier than plain-knit ones, more rugged in appearance (and
therefore more popular with boys), and also more form-fitting because
more elastic (a feature that was important to older children,
especially girls, since older boys and girls don't like sloppily
sagging hosiery over their knees). Notice the ribbing in the stockings
being worn by both the girl and the boy playing leapfrog in the large
illustration at top left. This can be seen better on the page concerning the
Ribbed from top to toe" selection. This sketch is also a good guage of the the
longer length of long stockings being worn by both genders in the early
1940s, although, unlike the American ads that mention the need to hide
the clasps of supporters under the shorter pants and skirts then in
fashion, the Canadian advertisements seem to take the longer length for
granted.
This page also gives us several grades of long stockings for "Infants"
(children up to about the age of 4 or 5, not babies still in the crib).
Ribbing is also mentioned as important even for todlers.
Calf-length socks for older boys and "youths" who wear long trousers
are also shown. These are like men's socks and are shown being worn
with adult male garters. Wearing short socks with garters seems to
have been part of the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. Older
boys would have wished to imitate their fathers who would of course be
wearing garters for any dress-up occasion.
Eaton's offered a detailed description of the varies types of hosiery offered. This included important information about the different items offered.
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Finely knit hose for Misses or Children. 1-ply rayon yarn plated on sturdy 1-ply mercerized cotton--for appearance and wear. Durable
cotton heels, toes. Stretchy 1/1 ribbing in legs giving a shapely fit
and plain knit seamless feet for comfort. White; Mid Beige; Dark Fawn.
Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10. Be sure to state
size and color when ordering. 420-226. Pair, 31 c. 3 Pairs 90 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Children's serviceable stockings for everyday wear. Made-in-Canada
from sturdy Cotton and Wool yarns. Warm enough for early Spring and
sturdy, too, for hard wear. Knit in fine stretchy 1/1 ribbed leg and
plain knit seamless feet with extra splicing in heels and toes.
Colors: Mid Fawn; Dark Fawn. Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9
1/2, 10. Be sure to state size and color when ordering. 420-228.
Price, per pair, 35 c. 3 Pairs for $1.00."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "
Trim fitting, finely knit stockings for Misses or Children. They are
knit of a 2-play mercerized cotton yarn in the feet for extra wear.
Feet are plain knit, seamless for comfort. Splendid stockings for
Misses as the fine ribbing conforms to the shape of the legs. White;
Mid Beige; Dark Fawn. Sizes 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9. 9 1/2, 10. Be sure
to state size and color. 420232. Price, per pair, 33 c. 3 Pairs 95 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "They are medium weight durable hose knit of 2-ply All-Wool Worsted with
double 2-ply Wool yarn in heels and toes. Knit in 2/1 ribbed style
with ribbing extending to toes. Popular stockings for everyday wear.
Colors: Dark Fawn; Black. 420-253. Sizes 5, 5 1/2, Pair, 35 c. Sizes
6, 6 1/2, Per Pair, 40 c. Sizes 7, 7 1/2. Per Pair, 45 c. Sizes 8, 8
1/2, Per Pair 50 c. Sizes 9. 9 1/2, 10. 10 1/2. Pair, 55 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2. Price per pair . . . 19 cents. 3 pairs 55c.
Sizes 8, 8 1/2, 9. 9 1/2, 10. Price, per pair . . . 23 cents. e pairs 65 c.
420-222. You want to line up a good supply of these inexpensive
durable Cotton Stockings for Children's everyday wear. Knit of 1-ply
Cotton yarns throughout. Fine ribbed style with ribbing extending to
"toes." Low priced at Eaton's. Colors White; Mid Fawn; Dark Fawn;
Black. Be sure to state size and color wanted when ordering."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "The type of hose that boys like for school wear. They are fine ribbed and do not readily show stains. Fine Richelieu ribbed Knicker Hose knit of a double 1-ply marl Cotton yarn with knit-in elastic and
contrasting pattern in the turned-down cuffs. Quite sturdy and should
give lots of wear for the money. Colors: Gray; Brown; Blue. Sizes 7, 7
1/2, 8, 8 1/2. 9. 9 1/2. 10. 420-277. Price, per pair 33 c. 3 Pairs for
95 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Durable Knicker Hose for boys, the kind to take the rough wear of
school days--knit of a double 1-ply cotton marl yarn in wide Richelieu
ribbing. Snug fitting "double" cuff with knit-in elastic. Smartly
finished with contrasting color stripes in cuffs. Extra splicing in
heels and toes for extra service. Be sure to state size and color.
Colors: Blue; Brown; Gray. Sizes 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10.
420-276. Price, per pair . . . 29 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Just the right weight for Spring--smart looking for best wear--sturdy for everyday wear! Boy's ribbed Knicker Hose of strong 1-ply Cotton yarns with extra cotton splicing in heels and toes for extra service.
Neatly patterned turned-down cuffs with knit-in elastic. State size
and color. Colors: Blue; Gray; Brown. Sizes 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9
1/2, 10, 10 1/2. 420-287. Price, per pair, 45 c. 2 pairs for 85 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "For the boy or youth in long trousers. Snappy looking socks that willappeal to him. Marl Cotton knit in fine Richelieu ribbing, showing smart contrasting stripes. Note the very moderate price and order him
a sufficient supply to last all Summer. Extra splicing in heels and
toes. Fine 1/1 ribbed legs. Colors: Fawn; Blue; Gray. Sizes 8 1/2, 9,
9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2. 240-254. Per pair . . . 21 cents. 3 pairs 60 c.
[HBC note: These grown-up socks for boys or youths are shown being worn
with men's garters.]
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Plain Seamless Knit three-quarter length Hose of 1-ply Cotton yarns,
extra reinforcement in heels, toes. Contrasting stripe in double cuff.
Colors: Romper Blue; Fawn, Brown, Navy. Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, 8,
8 1/2, 9. Be sure to state size and color. 420-260, Pair 23 cents. 3
pairs 65 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Plain knit three-quarter length hose of 1-ply Wool yarn plated on 1-ply Cotton yarn. Fine ribbed Wool turned-down cuff has knit-in elastic of Jacquard design. Fawn; Dark Green; Navy, Wine. Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7, 7
1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2. Be sure to state size and color. 420-213.
Pair, 35 cents. 3 pairs, $1.00.
Eaton's offered infnt's clothing in differet materials.
Cashmerette: Infant's stockings of softly finished 1-ply Cotton yarn, extra splicing in heels and toes. Fine 1/1 ribbing in the leg to assure fit.
Seamless feet for comfort. White; Debonair (mid fawn); Legwood (dark
fawn). Sizes 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2. 240-217. Price per pair, 21
cents. 3 Pairs 60 c.
1-ply Cotton: Low priced serviceable hose for Infants. Knit of sturdy 1-ply Cotton yarns with an extra yarn in heels and toes. Stretchy 1/1 ribbed legs
and plain knit seamless feet. Colors: White; Mid Fawn; Dark Fawn.
Sizes 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2. 420-221. Price per pair 18 cents. 3
Pairs 50 c.
Cashmere: Infants' serviceable stockings knit in fine 1/1 ribbed leg and plain knit seamless feet. Knit to resemble cashmere from 1-ply Wool yarn
plated on 1-ply Cotton yarn throughout. Be sure to state size and
color. Colors: Cream; Mid Fawn. Sizes 4, 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2.
420-229. Price, per pair, 29 cents. 3 pairs 85 c.
Mercerized: Infants' finely knit serviceable stockings of 2-ply mercerized Cotton yarns with a durable 2-ply Cotton yarn in the feet. Plenty of
elasticity in the 1/1 ribbed legs. Plain knit seamless feet. Be sure
to state size and color. Colors: White; Pink; Sky, Beige. Sizes 4, 4
1/2, 5, 5 1/2, 6, 6 1/2. 420-230. Price per pair 24 cents. 3 pairs 70
c.
The sizing scale at the bottom right shows the correct sizing of children's hosiery keyed to the size of their shoes. Note that the scale for small children is different from that of the older boys and girls. The sizing scale is similar to that used for the sale of stockings in the United States. For instance, boys wearing a shoe size of 8 1/2 (a normal size for a boy of about 15 or 16) would order a stocking in size 10 1/2.
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