Girls older than six or seven wore shorter versions of the same styles as adult women. Their bodices, however, opened in the back. This was important because the child could not dress herself, and Mother could check the underpinnings and appropriateness of the dress. The skirts lengthened as the girls grew and by the time she reached the age of sixteen, the skirt length was between two to four inches above the ankle. Younger girls wore pantalets and petticoats and as they grew older, often wore hoops to hold out their skirts. Sometime around the age of sixteen, a young lady would be given her first front-closure bodice and her skirts would be lengthened to the ground.
Underpinnings:
The underpinnings for young girls were the same as adult women. The corset would have had very few bones or only cording, and would have straps (like a t-shirt) over the shoulders. All other layers the same as adult.
Hair:
Young girls’ hair was parted in the middle. It could be worn short (shoulder-length), with a ribbon or headband to keep it out of the eyes. As a girl approached her teen years she would begin growing out her hair so as to be able to pin it up when she went into a front-closure bodice and full-length skirt.
Hats:
These were mostly smaller versions of the adult hats.
Shirts were designed much like men’s shirts. They would, however, be buttoned to the pants. This would keep the pants from falling down, the shirt tucked in, and were easier for the young boys to handle. The shirts were cut long and full, and as the boy grew, only the buttons on the shirt needed to be moved down. This continued to the age of about sixteen.
Trousers:
When boys were old enough to no longer wear a gown, they went into short pants (between knee and ankle). These could be straight-legged or of the Knickerbocker style. The Knickerbocker suit featured pants that were cut full to the knee where they were gathered onto a band and buttoned or buckled closed. The Knickerbocker suit added a short collarless jacket to these pants and older boys had a vest, as well.
When a boy reached about the age of sixteen, he could go into long pants and wear braces like his Father.
Hair:
Boys generally wore their hair short and it was always parted on the side.
Hats:
These were mostly smaller versions of the hats worn by adults.
Outdoor Garments:
These were smaller versions of adult wear for both boys and girls.
