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





Tim Hortons Food Service Uniform

Location: Canada
Year: Replica made 2025, design from 1970s
Materials: Cotton apron and shirt, plastic buttons, polyester hat
Maker: Natalie Welsh


This uniform was worn by female employees in customer-facing positions at Tim Hortons Donuts in the 1970s. Named after and in collaboration with the Maple Leafs hockey player Tim Horton, this restaurant chain opened its first location in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario. Tim Hortons was not the only donut shop in Canada at the time but was part of the expansion of specialty donut shops across Canada during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The women wearing this uniform would likely have been fulfilling customer orders rather than baking. In 1971, the average female bakery worker in Canada made $2.10 while her male counterpart made $2.60. There is a long list of factors which determine different incomes such as job seniority and frequency of work (i.e. part-time vs full time vs seasonal work). For example, in 1971, 24.8% of employed women were working part-time compared to 6.4% of men. As the original uniform was inaccessible to research for this project, a re-make was created based on the photo below and the example of it showcased at the Tim Hortons mini-museum. This re-creation allowed speculation upon its design and also active wear as demonstrated in the following images. 

 Physical Description:A creamy-yellow, cotton, twill apron dress lies atop a lightweight, plain weave, cotton button-up shirt. The apron is fastened with a small bow at the back of the neck and a large bow wraps around the waist keeping the entire garment secure. The blouse has a structured double collar, a back yolk and sleeves that end above the elbows. Pearlescent brown plastic four-hole buttons go down the front packet. A brown polyester beret with medium weight interfacing finishes this ensemble and is worn farther back on the head. 

Tim Hortons 1970s  beret reproduction

Tim Hortons Worker During the 1970s 
Natalie Welsh standing outside of a Tim Hortons in her reproduction uniform, 2025
Natalie Welsh standing inside of a Tim Hortons in her reproduction uniform, 2025
1970s Uniform on display at the Tim Hortons mini-museum
Natalie Welsh making Dutchie style donuts while wearing her Tim Hortons re-creation
Reproduction shirt on dress form

References
  1. Labour Canada. Women in the Labour Force 1971 Facts and Figures. Labour Canada Women’s Bureau, 1971. 
  2. Penfold, Steven. The Donut: A Canadian History. University of Toronto Press, 2008.
  3. Simplicity. Butterick Sewing Pattern Misses' Button-Down Shirts With Collar, Sleeve & Hem Variations. https://simplicity.com/butterick/b6852
  4. Simplicity. Simplicity Sewing Pattern 1970s Misses' Apron in Two Lengths.  https://simplicity.com/simplicity/s3051#&gid=1&pid=1
  5. Tim Hortons Worker During the 1970s. Photographer Unknown. Canada Takeout. https://canadatakeout.com/takeout-nostalgia-a-moveable-feast-of-throwback-fast-food-fashion/
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