Estelle Ansley Worrell

This is a lavishly illustrated look at Euroamerican and Afroamerican children's clothing in what is now the United States of American. It is much more detailed than most books. The more than 300 illustrations are mostly line drawings, apparently based on a variety of portraits. While it is nice to see portraits, it is often much easier to pick out the detail in line drawings. There is a description of each example, which includes comments on common variations, popular colors and fabrics, etc. Hair and shoe styles are also noted, with some information about children's furniture, toys, and accessories.

The pictures are in chronological order with groupings of children of various ages. The large sections are proceeded by an introduction that explains what was going on in society and changes that affected clothing. Rubber diaper covers revolutionized young children's clothing, especially for boys. There are general several groupings per time period, offering the reader a wonderful look at the variety of costume. A few of the individual drawings have been reproduced, sometimes with variation, in a section of color plates. This gives the effect of a pageant through time. One suggestion that I would make if the book is reissued is to put an asterisk or some other notation next to plates that also appear in the color section. I would also like to see some definitions: what is the difference between "pantaloons" and "trousers?" I googled this, but the three definitions that I found for pantaloons don't seem to apply here. This could be supplemented by reproductions of mail-order catalogs, such as The Way We Wore by Linda Martin, but those will be understood much better for being accompanied by this book.

One of the interesting facts brought out by Worrell is that new fashion items would often incorporated into children's clothing before adult clothing. Trousers and pantaloons, originally considered vulgar by adults were first worn by children, who presumably liked the style and continued to wear it as adults. Amelia Bloomer's costume was basically an adult version of children's clothing worn for decades before she attempted to introduce it for grown women.

People wanting real detail, such as historical writers or costumiers should be delighted with this book.… (altro)