Figure 1.--Eaton's in 1920-21 offered several different styles of sweaters including both pull-overs and button-up styles. Brown was a very popular color. Notice the stocking cap. We wonder how many boys played hockey with a tie, but perhps he is just tsking his stick to school. Note the large collars which Eaton's calls a "shawl" collar.

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 Department Store

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.

Sweaters

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.

Figure 2.--Here we see heavy stitched sweaaters. Eaton's referes to turtle necks as "rolled" collars.

Eaton's Long Service Sweaters

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.

Serviceable (90-630)

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.

Here's A Special Value (90-631)

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)

For General Wear (90-632)

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)

Snug and Long-Wearing (90-633)

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)

Very Popular (90-634)

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."

Boys' New Style Pullovers (90-636)

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)

Figure 2.--Here we see sweaters with wide collars called "shawl collars". I think they were worn in the 1910s. The ties suggest to us schoolwear.

Heavy Jumbo Stitch Swseate (90-637)

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)

Boys' Rolled Collar Style (90-639)

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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Created: 8:34 AM 6/26/2008
Last updated: 8:34 AM 6/26/2008