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




Gymnastics Uniform 

Location: Nicholls Hospital, Peterborough, Ontario
Date: 1945-1955
Material: Cotton
Maker: Manufactured by School Girls Shop
Accreditation: Canadian Museum of History, 2005.114.3.1 and 2005.114.3.2


After the end of World War II, there were great demands for nurses on the homefront. Nursing students enjoyed their free time which included physical activity and community with their fellow young women which this gymnastics uniform provides evidence of. It is highly unlikely that this attire was worn for professional sport, but rather nurses in training probably donned it for casual recreation. This uniform is a part of a larger donation that includes a baseball uniform and a basketball uniform which are from previous students of the nursing school at Peterborough Civic Hospital between 1945 and 1955. Women in sports have had to contend with the social expectation to maintain one's femininity while participating in physical activity. Evidently, the peplum (an additional piece of fabric that flares out from the waistline) on the shirt emphasizes an hourglass figure and the bloomers elongate and show off the wearer's legs. 

Physical Description: This navy, cotton, three-piece athletic uniform includes a short sleeve shirt with a matching belt and a pair of bloomer shorts. The shirt has a 28-inch waist with two belt loops on the sides to keep the fabric 1 ¼-inches wide by 52-inches long belt in place. The style of this top is fitted on top but flares out below the waist seam. The entire back measures 32.5-inches from collar to hem. The 8 inch metal zipper on the left side seam allows the gymnast to fit into this non-stretch garment. The short sleeves are 7-inches long and the collar is a pajama style. The bloomers have a 32-inch waist and measure 15 ½-inches from the waist to the bottom of the gusset (crotch). Elastic is placed on the leg holes for comfort and ease in movement.
Illustration of gymnastic shirt and bloomers




References:
  1. Whittaker, Lorna. Sports Uniform. 1945-1955. Accession 2005.114.1 and 2005.114.2. Canadian Museum of History. Gatineau, QC. Retrieved from https://www.historymuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1913666
  2. Bates, Christina. A Cultural History of the Nurses Uniform. Canadian Museum of Civilization
              Corporation. Library and Archives Canada Cataloging in Publication, 2012.
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