Fitting In?


Changing Values and Identities in Canadian Women’s Uniforms
1945-1980



About
Historical Background
Acknowledgments

Uniforms:
1. Gymnastics, 1945-1955
2. Graduation, 1948 
3. Domestic Service, 1950s
4. Royal Canadian Air Force (W.D), 1953
5. TTC Guide, 1955
6. Nursing, 1950s- 1960s
7. Expo 67’ Canadian Pavillion, 1967
8. PWA Flight Attendent, 1971
9. CN Tower Jumpsuit, 1976
10. Unitarian, 1950s -1980s
11. Tim Hortons, 1970s
CN Tower Jumpsuit

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Year:1976
Material: Cotton
Maker: Career Tex Career Wear by Sainthill Levine
Designer: Pat McDonagh Accreditation: Fashion Research Collection, Toronto Metropolitan University (2013.99.003 AB)

 This CN Tower jumpsuit with a custom fabric print was worn by the tower's female guides during its opening year in 1976. There were several uniformed positions at the CN Tower during its early days where each role had a distinctly modern design using similar rust and teal colouring with elongating silhouettes. Not unlike the tower itself, the sharply contrasting striped fabric creates a slimming and lengthening effect for its wearer. This standardized appearance was also reflected in the hiring practices of employees where female staff were, “blatantly hired for their looks [...] mostly tall and thin" according to records held by the Fashion Research Collection with a previous CN Tower employee. The sharply contrasting striped fabric creates a slimming and lengthening effect, not unlike the tower itself. The pussybow acts as a feminized version of its male counterpart- the necktie. Both ties hold literal sexual meanings-the pussy bow is soft and billowing while the man's tie is straight and rigid. Like many towers, the architecture of this building can also be described as phallic.

Close-up of garment tag. 
Photo courtesy of the Fashion Research Collection.

Physical Description:This uniform features a custom fabric of rust and grey-blue stripes with  small CN towers as a motif. The waist measures 29-inches across and the waist’s back-elastic fits snugly over the 36-inch hips. The bust is 35-inches and the legs inseam is 31 inches which is a length reserved for tall styles. Other notable features are the deep side pockets, the notch collar and short fitted sleeves. Separate from the jumpsuit is a rust pussybow which is tied under the collar. An invisible zipper down the centre front is covered by this bow. 

Close-up of pussy bow collar. 
Photo courtesy of the Fashion Research Collection.

References:
  1. CN Tower uniform jumpsuit in rust orange cotton. Accession number 2013.99.003 AB. Fashion Research Collection. Toronto, ON. https://ryersonfashion.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/860D68DE-D48E-46CB-AB0A-114658075529
  2. CN Tower Jumpsuit uniform in silver. Accession number 2013.99.073. Fashion Research Collection. Toronto, ON. https://ryersonfashion.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/655D18D0-2788-4BAE-810D-056847537431



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