Figure 1.-- Here we see what are probanly two girls having fun in what looks to be park. They are wearing rompers and a short pants play suit. The garment on the right might be called a shortall, but we think that was an American term. The snapshot is undated, but looks to us like the 1930s. There is a name on the back, something like Vivian Tavinia, an Italian name. Click on the image if you want to see the back. We are not sure which of the children isVivian, but they are likeky siblings given the matching hair styles. Vivian is a name that was used for boys and girls. I was much more common for girls in America during the 1930s. We assume the same is the case in England. Based on the page boy hair cuts, we think that the children are girls, but we are not positive. A reader writes, "It really could go either way to me. Though I suspect you are correct."

Girls mostly wore skirted garments with few exceptions through the 19th cerntury, but in the 20th century we see some girls wearing various types of pants. The primary expetion was pantalettes. Pantalettes were basically an undergarment, but for many yearsandunder garment made to be seen. Both boys and girls wore them. They began to be seen as Empire-style long dresses began to go out of style (1830s) and boys began wearing shortened-length pants (1850s). Pantalettes were avery common garment. Bloomers appeared in the mid-19th century, but we don't see Englidh girls and women wearing them to any extent. There was one exception. Both public education and girls education expanded in England during the 19th century, especially the late-19th century. And girls in secondary scgool wore bloomers as part of gym classes. Romper suits appearedin the 20th century. Unlike Francewhere rompers were a boys' garment, girls wore rompers in England. American girls wore rompers suits as part of gym uniforms. Weare not sure about England. Knee breches wre the standardform of trousers worn by men and boys in the 18th century. Women and girls did not wear them. You also do not see girls wearing pants in the 19th century. Boy began wearing long pants with the skeleton suits that were popular at the onset of the 19th century. Shortened-length trousers appeared for boys (mid-19th century). We see both bloomer knickers, regulsr knickers, and knee pants. Girls did not wear any of these garments in the 19th century. This did not begin to change until the 20th century, mostly after World War I in the 1920s. You do not see girls wearing long pants, even in the winter. But you do behgin to see girls wearing short pants, primrily for play or casual wear. At school girls continued to weardressesor skirts, but by tghe endof the century you see some girls at non-uniform primary schools wearing shorts.

Pantalettes

The primary 19th century expetion was to girls only wearing skirted garments was pantalettes. Pantalettes were basically an undergarment, but for many yearsandunder garment made to be seen. Both boys and girls wore them. Girls' pantakettes tended to be fancier than the ones worn by boys, but some boys wire the fabcier ones as well. Pantalettes began to be seen as Empire-style long dresses began to go out of style (1830s) and boys began wearing shortened-length pants (1850s). Pantalettes were avery common garment.

Bloomers

Bloomers appeared in the mid-19th century, but we don't see Englidh girls and women wearing them to any extent. There was one exception. Both public education and girls education expanded in England during the 19th century, especially the late-19th century. And girls in secondary school wore bloomers as part of gym classes.

Rompers

Romper suits appearedin the 20th century. Unlike France where rompers were a boys' garment, girls wore rompers in England. We see some English boys wearing rompers in the 1920s and 30s, including some boys in up to about 6-7 yearsof age. We are not yet sure about girls. This is alittle diificult to track. Girls would gather up their skirts, giving the look of rompers. We see school age girls wearing romper suits in the post-World War II era. American girls wore rompers suits as part of gym uniforms. We are not sure about England.

Trousers

Troousers are a complicated topic because therewere different types wjich varied ovr time. Knee breeches were the standard form of trousers worn by men and boys in the 18th century. Women and girls did not wear them. We also do not see girls wearing pants in the 19th century. Boy began wearing long pants with the skeleton suits that were popular at the onset of the 19th century. Shortened-length trousers appeared for boys (mid-19th century). We see both bloomer knickers, regular knickers, and knee pants. Girls did not wear any of these garments in the 19th century. This did not begin to change until the 20th century, mostly after World War I in the 1920s. You do not see girls wearing long pants, even in the winter. But you do behgin to see girls wearing short pants, primrily for play or casual wear. At school girls continued to wear dresses or skirts, but by the end of the century you see some girls at non-uniform primary schools wearing shorts.

Created: 12:18 PM 1/30/2019
Last updated: 12:27 AM 1/31/2019