1. Early Children’s Clothing

Before the 20th century, kids of both sexes wore the same styles and cuts. Gowns, tunics, and robes were worn by both men and women from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Only until men’s clothing changed to include two-piece suits, shirts, and breeches did the gown become a thing for women, infants, and toddlers. As they grew older, children’s fashions changed from gowns to adult clothing.

2. Gowns for women and babies

Swaddling was fashionable for a short while, but by the 1500s, crawling babies and toddlers were donning ankle-length white frocks and slip skirts because women in the 1700s wore ultra-fine muslin and chemise dresses that looked eerily similar to the clothing worn by young children since the middle of the century. As children’s fashion increased, children’s dresses received new additions like waist belts.

3. The origins of dungarees

Most people assume that dungarees came from the United States, but they actually originated in 17th-century India. The dungaree was invented in 17th century India where the cloth used for making cheap, robust working clothes was called ‘Dungri,’ the Hindi name of the Indian village which produced this hardwearing fabric. When the English purchased the fabric to construct workplace pants, they used the term “Dungri” and gave the material a British spin by calling it “dungaree.”

4. Levi Strauss invented the first pair of denim dungarees

In America in the 1890s, Levi Strauss invented the first pair of denim dungarees intended to be worn as protective workwear. To design the dungarees we know and love today, he started with workplace pants and added a bib and shoulder straps. This style was similar to the dungri workwear worn by Indian farm and ship workers but made from more robust denim earning the brand the tagline ‘never rip, never tear.’ They were still a long way from being considered stylish, though. Durability and comfort were the primary factors when it came to dungarees, which is why they were first constructed from strong denim or canvas or out of water-resistant materials so they could be worn for fishing. For many years, they were regarded as exclusively for the workplace.

5. Before World War I

Prior to World War I, kids continued to dress in the same way they did for centuries: like tiny adults. The notion of clothing specially made for children did not catch on until much later, despite the introduction of shorter gowns for girls and sailor suits for boys in the middle of the 19th century.

6. Dresses weren’t always meant for little girls!

Little boys wore dresses up until the age of 5 or 6 in the past. In actuality, this practise persisted all the way up until the 1940s! Even though boys primarily wear pants nowadays, we still believe in gender neutrality! It’s why we designed our dungarees for both girls and boys! Gendered clothing is a relatively modern concept.  Though it seems it’s common practice to gift blue clothes to baby boys and pink clothes to baby girls, this practice only began in the 1920s. It took another 30 years to become a practice.

7. After World War 2, dungarees became a kid staple!

Post World War 2, there was a rise in kids wearing dungarees. Both boys and girls wore dungarees due to their practicality. During World War 2, dungarees started to transition into unisex attire as more and more women began working in factories to aid the war effort. Dungarees started to be seen as more than simply working by the late 1940s, and celebrities like Judy Garland even wore them on the big screen! Denim and dungaree are frequently compared, although there are some differences. Dungees are manufactured with pre-coloured yarn, as opposed to denim, which is woven from uncoloured yarn that is coloured after weaving. These days, dungarees come in a variety of sizes.

*Post contributed by Why Matters Shopify Agency