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





Pacific West Airlines Stampeders Uniform

Location: Western Canada
Date: 1971
Materials: Polyester
Maker: Designed by Lois Burley (ne Duffy)
Accreditation: Ingenium, Ottawa(2003.0941, 2003.0441.1)

This air hostess uniform was worn by flight attendants for Pacific West Airlines’ (PWA) Stampeders Service, a flight route offered between the cities of Calgary, Kamloops, and Vancouver starting in 1968. This particular uniform was the subject of controversy in 1971 when a flight attendant was assaulted by a male passenger who grabbed the uniform's red bloomers which are worn under the uniform's mini skirt. After initially being fired for her refusal to wear the Stampeders uniform, the weeks of fighting her employer for her right to wear the standard, less revealing PWA uniform paid off, and she won her case. From the mid-1960s, many flight attendants were highly sexualized by airlines through their marketing tactics which targeted male bachelors and businessmen. 

During the 1960s, weight and appearance of flight attendance were constantly monitored, and it was not uncommon in the interview to be expected to show your walk and physique. On top of remaining attractive, they were expected to react calmly in an emergency practiced through drills and training. Full slips and girdles were required to maintain a certain shapely appearance. To the left is a job application form for Canadian Pacific Air Lines from 1968, only three years before the stampeder uniform. Below is an excerpt from the 1968 book Airline Stewardess Handbook. The checklist features 40 questions to ask oneself before considering being a flight attendant. Notice how many of the questions are focused on appearance and having an agreeable personality. 
 Physical Description:This uniform includes a cowboy hat, vest, and skirt, all in a cobalt blue colour. The hat is made by a brand called Moore Hat Co. in a style called “The Bulldogger”. It is a size 6 ⅝ that uses vel-tex, a patented loop fabric. The inside band states it is from Stampede Stack and Tack shop Cloverdale, BC. The vest and skirt were made by Lois Duffy although not much is known about her, the quality of the uniform suggests an at-home sewing enthusiast rather than a professional designer. The vest has western elements with a back yolk and matching royal blue fringe trim. The skirt closes with a metal zipper at the back. The matching mini skirt has a 25-inch waist and measures 15 ½-inches from waist to hem. Both the vest and skirt are made of the same synthetic royal blue material and lined with what appears to be polyester. All fringe is visibly attached by hand with a running stitch. Missing from this uniform yet evident in photos is a pair of white cowboy boots, red bloomers and the shirt worn underneath the vest.

A PWA flight attendant in the stampeder uniform


References:
  1. PWA Stampeder Flight Attendant Uniform. Accession 2003.0941 and 2003.0441.1. Ingenium. Ottawa, ON. 
  2. Linde, Shirley Motter. Airline Stewardess Handbook. Careers Research, Inc. (68-69; 82-83). 1968.
  3. Service in the Sky. Directed by Ann Person. Documentary. National Film Board. 1957. https://www.nfb.ca/film/how_they_saw_us_service_in_the_sky/#:~:text=Made%20in%201957%2C%20this%20film,middle%2Dclass%20woman's%20working%20life. 

Prev    Next