Figure 1.-- This English Magic Latern slide shows children playing, apparently gatering flowers. It is aosed scene, but the children do not appear to be models but actual children the photographr found playing. Their expressions suggest that they are not familar with the photofrapher. And the clothes appear to be their actual clothes. Notice the girls are wearing pinafores.

Children in the 19th century except for the well-to-do tended to have very small wardrobes. The Industrual Revolution generated great wealth and expanded the middle class. Worker pay also increased. As a result, the English population was better dressed than any time in history. Even so, many children had only two sets of clothes, one for best and another for play and everyday wear. Pften the play poutfit was the previous dress up outfit that they were beginning to grow out of or were a little worn. We are not entirely sure about schools. Some boys seem to have worn their best outfit to school, but this was not always the case. Some middle-class childrn may have had school clothes. Affluent families sent their children to private schools which had uniforms. Girls of course had pinafore to protect their clothes. These were worn for play, everyday wear, and school.

Created: 6:51 AM 1/30/20110
Last updated: 1:29 PM 9/21/2017