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Archiver > QBC-MONTREAL > 2007-03 > 1172780581


From: "Paula" <>
Subject: Re: [MONTREAL] Red River Coats
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 14:23:01 -0600
References: <BAY136-F1296070262B52B1AEB35ADB0810@phx.gbl><006101c75b9b$f7b41060$91e9694a@KDMather><004401c75c03$76278ff0$6401a8c0@PMCWorkStation><000d01c75c1c$1f2bc3b0$91e9694a@KDMather><003301c75c23$091f3780$cf6fbcce@v3t9u9>
In-Reply-To: <003301c75c23$091f3780$cf6fbcce@v3t9u9>


That is SO interesting. I lived in New Hampshire at that time. In the late
1940's we moved to New Mexico. The winter before we moved had been a really
bad one, I guess, although it stays in my mind as 'winter in New Hampshire'.
But we had dark green wool pants and a grey hooded top (that we wore a beret
type hat and scarf under) and some horrid rubber boots with buckles that we
put on over our shoes. We still ended up with snow in them, though, and
smelled like a wet dog by the time we got home from school.

The first winter in southwestern New Mexico they had more snow than they had
ever had, I guess. Anyway, poor as we were we had suitable snowsuits (never
heard of there and they still fit us). My mother-in-law (she is 88) rode a
horse to school and the snow was nearly too deep for it. She lived in the
mountains of New Mexico. Whenever we start these 'tales' our son says...oh
no... THE "ride a horse to school tales"! I think those times were much the
same everywhere since those of you in Quebec and Ontario have so many of the
same memories as we have, growing up in New Hampshire and New Mexico. My
husband grew up on a wheat farm in New Mexico and his memories are so much
like those of you that grew up on farms in Canada. Living in tenements in
New Hampshire was not much fun! We are both enjoying this a lot.

Paula

-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Odile
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 11:00 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [MONTREAL] Red River Coats

Dorothy

This outfit was for the rich kids.. I remember that I had seen pictures of
some dress this way...I wasnt in the rich or medium class only the poor
class..didnt get it.. we had to walk a mile in the cold day to school...we
have to tell younger generation about it.. they wont go on the net to find
that info. then we have to speak up...

Odile
----- Original Message -----
From: "genechaser" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: [MONTREAL] Red River Coats


Paula, red River coats (and outfits) were winter wear and the 'in thing' for
the daughters of families who could afford them in the 1940s. The material
was of navy blue serge wool with red piping down the sides of the sleeves,
collar, button placket and hem. The outfit was completed by a bright red
wool touque with tassel, red wool mitts, red wool overstockings and a red,
wool scarf which was long enough to bundle around the neck and face to
protect us during our very cold winters. By the way, the heaving stockings
were worn over shoes so black shiny rubbers were worn.

Because everything was wool - warm, yes, but not waterproof (and all
children loved to play in the snow on their way to and from school) they
ended up soaking wet! This was before the dryer age so this clothing had to
dry next to a stove or radiators.

I was never fortunate to own one of these outfits.

Dorothy




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