Figure 1.--Eatons in a French language catalog offered these outfits in 1946. The clearly show American-styled clothing. We do not know if there were differencesin the English and French language catalogs other than the language. Here are a variety of short and long pants play outfits. Notice the button-on styling. In the circle it says "Le 'magasin de jeune Canada' au catalogue Eton". That means. "The 'Canadian Children store section' of the Eaton catalog. Nore in French that Magasin means store and Magazine means magazine.

Eatons offerd several styles of children's play suits, both long and short pants styles. Most were for girls, but there were two boys' suits a well. Girls still mostly wore dresses in 1946, but two of the girls' outfits were long pants play suits. The catalog was a French-languge catalog. We do no know if there was any differences in the English and French lnguage editions of the Eatons catalog.

Styles

Eatons offerd several styles of children's play suits, both long and short pants styles. Most were for girls, but there were two boys' suits a well. Girls still mostly wore dresses in 1946, but two of the girls' outfits were a long pants play suits.

Ages

They were made in sizes for boys 1-3 (L) and 2-6 years (K) of age and girls 2-6 (F-J, N) and 1-3 (M) years of age. The catalog was a French-languge catalog.

Eatons

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.

French-language Catalog

We do no know if there was any fifferences in the English and French lnguage editions of the Eatons catalog. We are not sure when Eatns began publishling their catalog in French.

Ad Copy

Here is the text of the ad copy for the various outfits

K. Bibfront shorts

The ad copy read, "Good poplin sun suit .Pockets. Colored edgings with buttons. Flexible waist at rear. Color: brown. Toddlers: 2, 4, 6. 610-004. Price ... 1.10

L. Short pants play suit

The ad copy read, "Nice small suit in washable cotton. Pant buttoned to the blouse under a same kind of colored and textured belt. Colors: blue with yellow stripes. Waists: 1, 2, 3. 610-018. Price ... 1.10."

Reader Comments

A French reader reports, "Several of these outfits have a french look, especially the bib-front outfits. I notice the waist "6x" size. This designation is American and Canadian catalogs didn't exist in France. Here we would was saying : 6-8 ans." [HBC note: The 6x designation means a 6 years old who is unsually stout.]

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Created: August 3, 2003
Last updated: August 5, 2003