Today’s post is about my Eaton’s Catalogue Fall/Winter of 1940-1941 that I picked up at the Toronto Vintage & Antique show last year. The catalogue was in great shape, considering it’s age and is filled with many wonderful images.

1940s vintage cover of an Eatons Catalogue 1940-1941 Fall Winter featuring a woman in a 1940s winter jacket and winter hat.

Some background information about this specific catalog:

What is interesting about this catalogue as you are about to see, is that at the time of the creation of this book Canada has been involved in the war now since Sept of 1939, so we are moving into year 2. However when you look inside the book you would NEVER of know there was a war on expect for some teeny tiny little hints (which I will be showing you).The catalog is filled with furs, silk, every piece of machinery you can find, rubber tires etc. etc. etc.

Why was it like this?

Well after some poking around I found out that Canada did not start coupon rationing till 1942 (we did have in place a system called ‘Honour Rationing‘ at the time of the creation of this book. How Canadian of us), and clothing items like Silk started to be rationed in the later part of 41’ so it would make sense that the Eaton’s catalogue would carry on like it always had because nothing had really changed at this point.

Now onto the shopping!

Canadian Eaton’s Catalogue, Fall/Winter 1940-1941

Our first grouping of ladies are sporting ‘that better-dressed’ look at an in-expensive price’. I would love the second last 1940s dress on the right.

1940s vintage photo of a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue featuring a collection of women's 1940s dresses. Fantastic 1940s fashions.

We do stumble upon a mention of the war with the bolero jacket dress description and the interesting colour choice you can have the dresses in called: ‘British Navy’. I’m wondering if it was changed from ‘Navy Blue’ to reflect our British ties?

1940s Fashion: A 1940s bolero jacket dress description as seen in a Eatons Catalogue 1940 -1941 Fall Winter Edition.

The Junior section is always where I tend to see of the cutest dresses like the plaid one on the right. She is ‘Mad for Plaid!’. PLUS you can clearly see the militant look that came into vogue during this time in the two dresses on the left.

Further Reading: Plaid…A Fall Fashion Trend. The Vintage Edition

1940s Fashion: 1940s Women's Dresses, one being in plaid as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

It’s always a treat when the catalogue posts some of their items for sale in colour. Look at those wonderful patterns and dress designs!

1940s Fashion: Women's 1940s Dresses in various patterns as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

More lovely 1940s dresses! Oh my…….I would like an order of all 3 please! Once again dress 2 & 3 are in the military style, and their hats are fantastic!

1940s Fashion: 1940s Women's Dresses, 1940s Hats and 1940s Jacket with skirt as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

As I stated above rationing was not really mandatory in Canada, so seeing a full ad for ‘Silk Hose’ was still 100% okay. -1940s vintage advertisement.

1940s Silk Hosiery Advertisiment as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Your outfits are NOT complete without smart-looking 1940s shoes, that are moderately priced.

1940s Fashion: late 1940, early 1941's womens fall winter shoes ad seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Even women’s dancing shoes are featured.

Further Reading: Time To Dance! Vintage Instructions To Get You Dancing In No Time

1940s women's dance shoes illustration as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Lets also not forget that this is the Fall/Winter CANADIAN Catalogue, so take your pick of the warmest, classiest winter footwear on the block.

1940s Fashion: late 1940, early 1941's womens fall winter shoes as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

And now for most amazing shoes in the book. ‘Sled’ Heels!! WOW! Those are absolutely stunning!

1940 Fashion: A women's shoe with a cut out in the heel as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

1940s Hats Hats Hats! Here is a small selection of what was posted in the catalog. I’m a huge fan of the ‘Sideliner’.

1940s Fashion: Late 1940, early 1941 women's fall winter hats as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Interesting find alert!, # 4 ‘The Crepe Topper‘. I have honestly never heard of this idea but now that I have, I want one…badly. According to the description below it’s “Finely pleated rayon crepe, encircling the neck and tying about the waist. It allows you to lend variety to a plain dress”. How cool!

1940s Fashion: Women's Earl 1940s Boleros, Jacket, Crepe Topper and blouse as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Don’t worry men, Eaton’s has stuff for you as well. Monogrammed ties, that go with any of the shirts featured are perfect for everyday wear.

1940s Fashion for Men: Late 1940, early 1941 Men's vintage shirts and ties as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

I love how the men socks below in their vibrant colours and patterns are also very popular right now with the gentlemen of today. Good style never goes OUT of style.

1940s Fashion: Late 1940s, Early 1941 Men's socks and women's hosiery as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Other items you can purchase…Accordions!

1940s Accordions for sale in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Power Tools and Accessories for the home craftsman.

1940s Power tools for sale as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

Beautiful 1940s Jewelry like, fruit necklaces (very popular with the vintage crowd right now).

1940s Fashion: Early 1941 vintage fruit necklace as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

And hair tools for the ladies. This page is always a favorite of mine, especially since I’m into vintage hairstyles and it’s fun to see the items I use today being sold 70+ years earlier.

Further Reading:

1940s Hairstyle: 1940 - 1941 women's hair styling accessories as seen in a Eaton's 1940-1940 Fall / Winter Catalogue

And that was the last image for this post today.  I will be doing a part 2 soon featuring other catalogues during this time period. Will the Eaton’s Catalogue change as Canada gets deeper into the war, or will it remain the same as we have seen here? Stay tuned!

Question time: Do you have a favorite item featured above? If you do please share.

Note! As of Nov 15th, 2023 there was a copy for sale on eBay, which you can find HERE.

Would you like to own a vintage 1940s fashion item (or a replica of one)? Then take a look at the items for sale in my 1940s Fashion Etsy collection page (updated regularly), found HERE.

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

18 Comments on Highlights of a Canadian Eaton’s Catalogue, Fall/Winter 1940-1941

  1. Canada was full of class! That first dress you mention almost looks like it has rivets from an airplane on it. The buttons did make it look like that military style. I don’t have much use for power tools or an accordion, but those dresses are fabulous. Wish I could wear those hats in public without having people think I was going to perform in a play.

    • Even in the winter, we still keep it classy, yes yes we do 🙂 I will leave the tools to my husband but the accordion, I kind of love. Maybe it’s the German in me 🙂

      I say wear the hats and let people think what they want, you will look awesome and they will be bummed they did not think of that first 🙂

    • This is going to sound crazy, but do you still have a copy of this catalog? My great grandmother was a model for Eaton’s and I have been trying for years to find a picture of her! She modeled lingerie, she had Auburn colored hair.

      • Hi Hailey! I do own the catalog, so I will take a look at the lingerie pages and take the photos and send them to you. Maybe you will get lucky. I will send them over the next few days.

        Liz

    • I love the accordion photo too! That is why I shared it. Having German roots, I kind of have a soft spot for the instrument 🙂

      Good timing on the documentary too, very cool.

      Liz 🙂

  2. Do you still have this catalogue? I’ve been trying to date a vintage sewing machine that I know came from Eaton’s but I haven’t been able to find an advertisement of one. I wish they had an online archive somewhere. >.<

  3. Hi Liz!
    I saw your scans of some the 1940-1941’s Eaton’s catalogue……I was wondering if Eaton’s sold any Westinghouse radios in that catalogue…..I bought a 1941 Westinghouse 684A radio, and am trying to find an old advert for that particular radio (they made them in Hamilton)……would appreciate it if you could look for me!
    Thanks, Paul

  4. Just came upon your article of this 1940-41 Eatobs catalogue and wondering about the value of it. I recently found one while cleaning out the house and nit sure what to do with it.

    • Hi there!

      They are not worth tons of money, but they are valuable because of the content inside. Catalogues are amazing pieces of fashion history and collectors like myself are always picking them up. I believed I paid $20 for this copy but I have a thicker Montgomery Ward catalogue (around 200 pages or possibly More in amazing condition) that I paid $50. You can search on eBay, Etsy and shopify to see what similar cataloges might be going for to get a sense of price. I would love to chat with you about cost if your willing to sell it, as mentioned above I am always collecting. We can take it off my blog and you can email me at thevintageinnblog@gmail.com . Thanks for stopping by!

      Liz

  5. I am trying to find a picture of my Mother’s wedding gown, purchased in the Eaton’s catalogue in 1940. Can you send me pictures please? Full length, cream satin, fitted at waist, long sleeves pointed at wrists and gathered at shoulder. Thanks.

    • I will see what I can find in my book. I don’t recall seeing wedding dresses in my copy, but I will take a closer look. You might need to find an earlier in the year version as well (spring/summer).

      Liz

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