Canadian Mail Order Catalogs with Boys Clothings: The 1920s


Figure 1.--An T. Eaton catalog page in 1927 showed a range of suits for boys. There were several different styles for younger boys, including sailor suits. Suits for older boys were more standard. Notice the suits here are all shown with long stockings rather than kneesocks.

Mail order catalogs show major changes in Canadian boys clothes during the 1920s. Some styles persisted from the 1910s, but several important fashion trends are notable. We note boys continuing to wear flat caps. We note an increased informality. Tunic suits disappear for little boys. Kneepants were no longer worn to any extent except by younger boys in the early part of the decde. Short pants appear for little boys during the summer. Most boys in the 1920s wore knickers with long stockings. Long stockings were the dominant hosiery. We begin to see some boys wearing kneesocks in the later part of the decde. Much of our informarion comes from the Eaton's catalog which was so important in Canada.

1920

We have some information from the Eaton's catalog. Consumers and companies were getting back to normal after World war I (1914-18). Sweaters were a prenial favorite. Sweaters of course were important in countries like Canada situated in norther latitudes. We have an interesting color page from the Earon's catalog that shows what colors were used. Boys still commonly wore suits in 1920. Knicker suits were very popular. We note several different styles. We note a range of junior suits with knee pants for younger boys. For some reason knee pants persisted for yonger boys. We see the same trend for younger boys in America. Most boys wore knickers, commonly with long stockings. And as a result, Eaton's also offered the necessary stocking supporters also offered.

1921


1922

Long stockings were still commonly worn in Canada during the 1920s. We note in 1922 that black and other dark colors were still the most common. Eton's catalogs offering long stockings with a full page advertisement in 1922. The Spring and Summer catalog of 1922 (p. 131) shows stockings for boys and girls. Although knee socks were sometimes worn, boys and girls were still wearing mainly long stockings in 1922 since boys continued to wear either knee pants or knickers, often buckled above the knee. Formal or ordinary non-casual dress still required long stockings, especially for older boys. This advertisement features only black long stockings.

1923


1924

We have little information on Canadian catalogs in 1924 at this time. We do have an Eton's page on for overalls.

1925


1926


1927

A T. Eaton catalog page offers a wide range of outfits for younger boys in 1927. Tunic suits have disappeared, but there are many other suit styles, including silor suits. Mist are kneepants or increasingly short pants suits. There are knicker suits for older boys, many with Norfolk styling. Older boys wore flat caps. Eaton was a large Totonto Department Store.

1928


1929








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Created: July 25, 2003
Last updated: 7:49 AM 6/26/2008