Children's Clothes of the 1900s
The start of the 20th century was a transitional time for children's fashion. Children had previously worn simpler versions of adult clothing, but by 1900 children had fashion trends that they could call their own, from sailor suits and rompers to full-pleated skirts. While these trends mimicked adult fashions, they were not direct copies of them.
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Fabrics and Colors
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The most popular fabric used in children's clothing at the turn of the 20th century was cotton, which was used in a variety of weights and weaves, depending on which season the clothing was intended for. This was a practical fabric for the time period, because it held up for a long period of time and could withstand the aggressive laundering practices.
The colors used in children's fashions were very basic; clothing typically was white, cream or pink for girls, and white, cream, brown or black for boys.
Boys' Clothing
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For undergarments, boys would typically wear union suits, similar to the long underwear that many wear today. Union suits would have short or long sleeves and knee- or ankle-length legs with a drop-seat closed with buttons. The wrists and ankles of long-sleeved and long-leg union suits included knitted elastic.
Boys commonly wore dresses in the 19th century, and the popularity of boys' dresses continued well after the turn of the century, although as the century progressed the dresses became less elaborately detailed. Other popular styles among boys included rompers, Russian-style tunics worn with knee pants and stockings and sailor suits or sailor-style tunics with knee pants.
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Girls' Clothing
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Girls' clothing in the early 20th century was simple and loose-fitting. Young girls typically wore fashions that were less elaborate than women's clothing, but as the girls entered their teenage years, their clothing would become more detailed, tighter fitting, and the hem of the dress would be lowered to where it reached the floor.
For undergarments, girls would typically wear drawers, which are comparable to underwear today. Girls also wore an undershirt or undervest, which was often made of knitted cotton to guard against colder temperatures. Girls wore stockings made of crocheted cotton and garters to hold them up on their legs.
Next, the foundation garments would be worn over the undergarments. These usually consisted of a chemise, or slip, and a tight corset to ensure good posture.
The dress would then be worn over the foundation garments. Dresses typically hit below the knee, and sometimes included white embroidery, coarse laces or white linen or pique straps or tabs for trimmings. A family member often made the dresses. Some of the styles included front panels running from the neck to the hem, full-pleated skirts and tucked waists.
Infant Clothing
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Both male and female babies were dressed in simple white cotton dresses in the 1900s. These dresses often had details such as a shawl collar, lace, piping and eyelet and box pleats. Babies also donned simple knitted booties and cotton bonnets, which often featured embroidery.
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References
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