The early twentieth century saw a change in the style of clothes used for both baby boys and baby girls. This in a large part was brought about by the changing attitude towards childhood.
Until the late 18th century children’s clothing was a miniature version of that worn by adults with all the restrictions that entailed. In fact childhood lasted for a very short time, especially for the poorer classes, as many children often started work as young as five years old.
These copies of parent’s clothes were very restrictive and reflected the fact that childhood was not seen as a special time but a precursor to adulthood. During these eras play was not encouraged as it was seen as a waste of time therefore play clothes were not needed.
For centuries before, the use of swaddling to restrict newborn baby movement and to promote correct posture had been used. Often this was applied for the first year of a baby’s life so no other clothes were required. The habit has reduce enormously in Western cultures but it is still practiced extensively in some Eastern societies.
But by the end of the eighteenth century the use of long gowns to clothe both baby boys and baby girls had become common. One initial benefit was that they helped to keep baby feet warm because they were very long, but as the child began to walk the length of the gown stopped at the ankles.
By the time they advanced to toddler age both boys and girls were clothed in copies of Mom’s dress. Since the European Middle Ages, when clothes were washed not as often as we do now, the preference had been for dark colors so that dirt and stains were not as noticeable. The wealthier classes were able to afford more colorful and elaborate clothes and that indicated their status.
But by 1918, the end of the first World War, baby boy clothes had taken a radically new direction – due largely to a new type of clothing, the romper suit. Believed to have been developed first in France, the romper suit changed societal norms. A move away from clothing both boys and girls in the same type of garment had begun by the end of the nineteenth century but romper suits virtually eliminated the fashion.
Preschool boys are thought to have been the first to adopt the romper suit fashion, with the result that baby boys were now identifiable separately from baby girls. The first suits had long sleeves and covered the legs as far down as the knees. Long stockings completed the outfit. Toddlers wore boots and as fashions developed, two piece suits and suits made from velvet added to the more prevalent one piece basic option.
Over time the design of the romper suit changed – the legs got shorter and so instead of wearing long stockings, short white socks were worn and instead of boots modern shoes such as sandals were worn. The less formal ones had very little decoration, whereas the more dressy ones had lace collars or even frills. Smocking became a feature on baby rompers from the 1920s and they were also far more colorful than baby clothes had been in the past.
But now in the 21st century, romper suits have reduced in popularity. In what is almost a reversion to earlier fashions, baby boy clothes and children’s clothes have once again become smaller versions of what their parents wear, although a wide range of colors now prevails. When Mom wants to find a small version of Dad’s polo shirt or jeans or khakis, there is almost no limitation. At least we are not returning to the time when work started at five years old and play was not considered important!
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