Girls' Dresses: From Historical Fashion to Modern Style
Dresses have been a fundamental type of clothing used since nearly the beginning of human civilisation. What's particularly fascinating is that for children, this garment typically didn't determine gender, as both boys and girls wore them. Today's dress designs look quite different, and current styles and materials differ significantly from their historical counterparts. Though in many cases, we can say that's fortunately the case!
So let's embark on a historical journey through children's fashion of bygone eras. We won't venture back to ancient times, but rather begin our exploration from the 18th century.
Historical Dresses for Girls... and Not Only!
Fashion of the 18th and 19th Centuries
In the 18th, 19th, and even early 20th centuries, children's dresses weren't automatically assigned by gender. This stemmed from the fact that during a child's early years, they remained primarily with their mother, thus "belonging to the women's world." Moreover, such shirt-dresses were practical garments for childcare, allowing for easy changing when necessary.
But when you look at old photographs, how can you distinguish whether it shows a boy or girl? In this case, you shouldn't rely on the styling, but rather... the accessories. Girls typically posed with a bouquet of flowers or a doll, whilst boys held a small whip, drum, or sword.
Children were dressed this way until age 5. When a child reached this age, it was believed they should begin behaving and appearing more mature. Therefore, the comfortable shirt-dress was replaced by creations with ruffs, corsets, framework beneath the dress, and towering wigs. From then on, clothing determined gender, so dresses remained exclusively for girls.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, children were expected to look like "little adults" – dignified and distinguished. For the little ones, however, this meant restricted movement and lack of comfort, as girls' dresses were stiff, tightly fitted, and clearly emphasised (or sometimes even created) shapes. Young ladies wore small corsets beneath their dresses, whilst the multi-layered skirt rested on a steel framework. Hairstyles were equally elaborate. These were often constructions created using wire and horsehair, additionally adorned with feathers, ribbons, and even precious stones. In such an ensemble, free play was simply impossible.
And what colours were girls dressed in? In the 18th and 19th centuries, the colour associated with this gender was... blue! This referenced the Virgin Mary, with whom little girls were meant to identify. Pink and red, on the other hand, were associated with Christ's blood, which is why boys were more often dressed in these shades. This trend only reversed in the 20th century and essentially continues in this form today.
The 20th Century Revolution
Fashion in girls' dresses only began changing during the interwar period. Stiff corsets and long gowns were relegated to the past. Practicality, freedom, and comfort gained popularity. Young boys were also dressed in them less frequently.
So what did girls' dresses look like in the 20th century? These were simple creations with so-called dropped waists, in light colours with delicate embroidery additions, knee-length or above. They rarely featured puffed sleeves, gathering, or frills – they were meant to be easy to manage and keep clean. To help the dress last longer, it was protected with a pinafore at the front.
The main theme of girls' dresses, including those for teenagers, was modesty in design. In the 1920s, styles with dropped waists were particularly fashionable, further emphasised by a belt. The 1930s brought longer and more fitted models. Detachable collars served as accessories. For special occasions, one could wear more decorative dresses in the style of romantic crinolines. For a time, so-called sailor dresses were tremendously popular as well.
During that period, particular attention was paid to the materials from which girls' dresses were made. Summer creations were most often sewn from fabrics such as cotton or linen, whilst wool was chosen for winter. These guaranteed proper breathability and warmth retention.
Modern Girls' Dress Fashion: What Has Changed?
In the past, girls' dresses were hand-sewn, usually by mothers. Today, advances in tailoring technology and broader material availability allow for almost unlimited possibilities in creating unique styles for little fashionistas. Thanks to this, children can choose from many more or less decorated models for both special occasions and everyday outings.
In the 21st century, it's not so much appearance that matters, but comfort and safety of wear. A child should move freely in their chosen dress, and the material and construction mustn't cause irritation to sensitive skin. Therefore, natural fabrics are still used, though they often contain additions of other synthetic materials. Thanks to this, dresses acquire new properties, and the garment becomes more durable and easier to keep clean.
At Zoya Fashion, you'll find plenty of elegant dress options for girls, in which your daughter will feel both stylish and comfortable. Browse our latest collection inspired by historical trends today!
Also, take a look at our other articles on similar topics:
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