| Although the clothing worn by children of the
wealthy was quite elaborate, the clothing worn by those of average means was
most practical. As children both young boys and girls were dressed in gowns
or smocks until about age six. While the girls continued to wear gowns or
dresses, the boys were at that time put into pants or breeches like their
fathers. This "breeching" was the first step toward adulthood for a
young boy. In some areas, such as Salem, young boys were dressed in pants or breeches as soon as they could walk. Their clothing was exactly the same as their fathers; knee breeches, warm double jackets called doublets, and knit caps. The children of the wealthy were dressed in a totally different manner. On special occasions, both boys and girls were often dressed in fancy clothing resembling that of fancy ladies. The following wardrobe was typical for the son of a wealthy family:
The little girls of the wealthy families were dressed as elegantly and formally as their mothers were. They wore stiff dresses over huge hooped petticoats, heavy stays, and high-heeled shoes. The complexions of young girls were always well protected to keep their skin soft and fair. To keep the tanning rays of the sun off of their delicate skin, they often wore long gloves and cloth or velvet veils or masks over their faces. The following wardrobe was for a schoolgirl in 1737:
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