Figure 1.--We see a page with both long stockings and socks in the Eaton's 1949-50 Winter catalog. Click on the image to see the associated ad copy.
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Figure 1.--We see a page with both long stockings and socks in the Eaton's 1949-50 Winter catalog. Click on the image to see the associated ad copy. |
We see a page with both long stockings and socks in the Eaton's 1949-50 Winter catalog. Long stockings were clearly still being worn in Canada, but this page shows that even in Canada they were being replaced with ankle socks. We also notice stockinette tubing, a uniquely Canadian item. These stockings and socks offered by Eaton's were headlined, "Hard Wearing Rugged Socks and Hose for Boys' or Youths' Outdoor Wear". Hose seems to be used to describe long stockings. The ad copy provided details about each item. The ruggedness and warmth of these stockings and socks probably indicates that they are intended mainly for boys and male youths, although the full-length stockings (A. B. and C) are theoretically suitable for both boys and girls. But these garments are mainly for outdoor wear in fairly severe climates rather than for dress.
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.
These stockings and socks offered by Eaton's were headlined, "Hard Wearing Rugged Socks and Hose for Boys' or Youths' Outdoor Wear". Hose seems to be used to describe long stockings. The ad copy provided details about each item. The ruggedness and warmth of these stockings and socks probably indicates that they are intended mainly for boys and male youths, although the full-length stockings (A. B. and C) are theoretically suitable for both boys and girls. But these garments are mainly for outdoor wear in fairly severe climates rather than for dress. All of these socks and stockings contain wool for warmth. Knickers had almost disappeared by 1949-50, but long stockings were still worn with short pants in the more conservative and colder parts of Canada, especially in Quebec. We are not sure whether they were worn under long trousers, but they may have been.
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Made for Hard wear. Children's Ribbed Hose of Cotton and Worsted Wool, the 2/1 ribbing extending right to the toe. Colors: Fawn or Black. State color
and size. 1-2290. Sizes 6, 6 1/2, 7 Price, pair 50 c. Sizes 7 1/2, 8 Price, pair 60 c. Sizes 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10, Price pair, 70 c." [These are obviously full-length stockings that reach at least to mid-thigh.]
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Heavy Quality Wool, Worsed and Cotton Hose. Full length and dependable quality for on-the-go youngster's Winter wear. Knit in 2/1 ribbing to the toe. Colors: Dark Fawn, Cardinal, Brown heather, Black. State color and size. 1-2291 Sizes 5, 5 1/2 Price, pair 49 c. Sizes 6. 6 1/2 Price, pair 59 c. Sizes 7, 7 1/2 Price, pair 69 c. Sizes 8, 8 1/2 Price, pair 79 c. Sizes 9, 9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2 Price, pair 89 c. [Note that these stockings come in sizes 10 and 10 1/2, large enough to fit boys and girls as old as 16.]
The Eaton's ad copy read, " The Eaton's ad copy read, "The Eaton's ad copy read, "C. Reliable Quality Worsted Wool and Cotton full-length Hose, knit in a stretch 3/1 ribbing from hem to toe. Colors: Fawn, Brown, Black. State color and size desired. 1-2292 Sizes: 6, 6 1/2, Price, pair 55 c. Sizes 7. 7 1/2 Price, pair 65 c. Sizes 8, 8 1/2 Price, pair 75 c. Sizes 9, 9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2 Price, pair 85 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Stockinette Tubing. All-Wool Worsted yarn, knit in 2/1 ribbing. Just add the feet and you have sturdy, warm hose. Use it too for snug wristlets.
Colors: Fawn, Heather Brown, Black. Please state choice of color when ordering. Price, yard 45 c." [Stockinette was sometimes bought by mothers of children with unusually sized feet and legs. The feet could be added by knitting them at home for very small or very large feet and the stockings could be as long or as short as needed since the stockinette was purchased by the yard. It was also used for making wrist coverings. This seems to have been a peculiarly Canadian product. Stockinette was not ordinarily advertised for children's hose in U.S. catalogs such as Ward's and Sears.]
The Eaton's ad copy read, ""Homestead" Quality Work Socks. The same reliable quality as dad's, that stands up to plenty of hard wear. All Wool, medium weight, knit with 2/3
ribbed legs, 1/1 ribbed tops. Color: Gray only. 1-2267 Sizes Boys' 8 1/2, Youths' 9 1/2. Price, pair 59 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Sturdy Ribbed Wool Work Socks with Cotton reinforcements at heels and toes. Knit with 1/1 ribbed legs and snug 1/1 ribbed cuffs. Color: Gray only. 1-2295. Sizes: Boys' 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10 Price, pair 50 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Ribbed Wool Worsted and Cotton Socks trim and good-looking. Heavy enough for warmth, suitable for wear with longies [i.e., long trousers]. Knit with 3/1 ribbed legs and trim 1/1 ribbed cuffs. Colors: Blue heather, Brown
heather. 1-2296 Sizes: 8, 8 1/2, 9. 9 1/2, 10. Price, pair 50 c."
The Eaton's ad copy read, "Lumber Socks for boys or youths. Wear-resistant and warm, knit of heavy Wool, Rayon and Cotton yarns, tufted threads. Handy drawstring at tops. Wear them with moccasins or shoe packs for outdoor work or sports. Color: Gray only. 1-2280 Boys' size: 8 1/2 (9 to 11 years) Price, pair 89 c. Youth's size: 10 (12 to 15 years). Price, pair $1.05. [The drawstrings at the tops allowed boys to tuck their trousers into the socks for outdoor work such as lumbering.]"
Charles
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