Dress and drawers, about 1860
Most cultures have used clothing to signal gender differences, but having legs is not always a clue. Earlier American society had firm rules about gendered clothing, but infants and toddlers wore nearly identical garments until the early 1900s. Infants wore identical long gowns, while toddlers wore dresses over cotton drawers or trousers (both “dress” and “trousers” were used for both sexes). Colors, trim, and hair styling offered gender clues.
This dress was worn by Perry Harris Munger of Piqua, Ohio and the drawers were likely worn by Harvey Glidden of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Child’s wool dress, about 1863, gift of Florence Munger Fansteel, 66.123
Child’s cotton drawers, about 1860, gift of Bertha Foster Glidden, 4080.7
The Emery Children, 1854
The only girl here is Josephine at the back. George and Charles, about two and four, wear belted dresses or tunics with cotton trousers. Horace at six wears jacket and full-length trousers.
Gift of Edith Corlett Emery 71.90