Girl's Dress
Circa 1870-1880
Silk taffeta.

Until about the age of three, all children wore skirts, even boys. But at three boys graduated to the knickerbocker suit. As with this example, the suit consisted of short trousers gathered or open at the knee, and had a short jacket which fasted at the neck only. By the time he reached ten, a boy would be allowed to wear longer trousers with a jacket tailored along more adult lines.

The period of the bustle for women influenced what girls wore as well. Skirts became flatter in front, with much of the fullness gathered into a bustle in back. Although girls' fashion imitated adult styles, skirt lengths were shorter, coming to just below the knee. The girl wearing this dress would also have had decorated drawers or pantalettes visible beneath the hem.