Children's Clothing
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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:

4 pair laced sleeves 8 plain cravats
5 pair gloves 4 cravats with lace
1 flowered waistcoat 4 striped waistcoats
1 pair blue plush britches 4 new osenbrig britches (heavy linen)
1 gray hat with a black ribbon 1 gray hat with a blue ribbon
1 dozen black buttons 1 dozen colored buttons
3 pair silver buttons 3 pair gold buttons
3 pair fine blue stockings 1 pair fine red stockings
4 white handkerchiefs 2 speckled handkerchiefs
1 stiff coat with black buttons 1 cloth coat
1 pair new shoes 2 combs

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:

1 pair white stays 4 yards ribbon for knots
6 pair white kid gloves 2 pair colored kid gloves
1 hat 1 ruffled cap
1 mask (to wear when the wind is rough)
2 pair worsted wool hose 3 pair thread hose
1 fan 1 necklace
1 pair laced silk shoes 1 pair Morocco shoes
4 pair plain Spanish shoes 2 pair calf shoes
1 girdle 1 buckle
1 mantua (cape) 1 coat of lutestring (silk)
1 ˝ yards cambric (a lightweight cotton fabric used for needlework)
1 tucker (a modesty piece of lace to be tucked into the neck of the dress bodice)

Last modified on May 14, 2008