1

The numerous early class photos available for study are a treasure trove of changing fashion. In the days when having a photo taken was a new and exciting adventure many dressed for the event in new hats and their "Sunday best". Many different styles can be spotted over the years.

2

Prior to the late 1800's fashion for children up to age 8 was very androgynous. Boys and girls wore "smocks" until boys were "breeched" and girls started to wear dresses that resembled the women's fashions at the time - without the undergarments of bustles and corsets.

Women were expected to provide the basic necessities of food and clothing for the family. Clothing would be re-fashioned from clothes brought with them from "abroad" with hand-me-downs from parents and older siblings. When those had to be replaced, if they had sheep on their farm, wool would be washed, carded by hand, spun and woven on a loom (homespun cloth). Choices of fabric (and the cost per yard) from the local general store would dictate the look of dresses for girls and outfits for boys.

3

Blackburn 1887. Day dress - Shirtwaist, single breast closure with high collar, skirt with overlay
1887
King Township

Credits:
King Township Archives

4

By 1887 - especially for everyday dress - the second wave of the bustle was all but eliminated.
Older girls/teachers class photo (1887) shows older girls in "Victorian day dress" -shirtwaist and skirt with overlay - high neck - dark colours - no "bustle"

At the turn of the Century, the Industrial Revolution brought more inventions to the country, and therefore more jobs, especially for women.

5

Detail of Pottageville school class of 1907. "Eton Suit" with straw hat
1907
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
King Township Archives
CatSue McBroom

6

The Eton jacket, single breast closure, usually without a collar - Boys ages 4-8 typically wore "shorts" with these jackets - and breeches/knickers -or plus-fours until the age of 12 or 13 - where long pants signified they were now "young men". Jacqueline Kennedy was a fan of this suit and often dressed her son John F. Kennedy Jr. in them. Today this style is seen on many young boys in their role as the "ring bearer" in formal wedding parties

7

Detail of Kettleby school class of 1911. Pinafores-over dresses.
1911
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
King Township Museum
CatSue McBroom

8

Detail of Kinghorn school class of circa 1896. Girls in white (dimity cotton) dresses.
circa 1896
King Township

Credits:
King Township Museum

9

Detail of Kettleby school class of 1911. Must be Spring.......going to school in bare feet!
1911
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
King Township Museum
CatSue McBroom

10

"In our mother's young days, girls and boys went to school barefooted; just as soon as a warm day came in spring, off went boots and stockings, and one of the trials of Sunday was that boots must go on again." Alice Ferguson, Yesterday for Today and Tomorrow

11

Detail of Kettleby School class photo of 1911. "Little Lord Fauntleroy Suit"
1911
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
King Township Museum
CatSue McBroom

12

"Little Lord Fauntleroy Suit"
Made popular by author, Frances Hodgson Burnett in her best- selling book "Little Lord Fauntleroy", (1886). The young hero of the story was dressed in the style of a romantic Cavalier. The suit was usually made out of velvet with the single-breasted jacket over a shirt with a large ruffled collar, cuffs and a large floppy bow at the neckline.

13

Detail of Pottageville school class of 1907. Sailor suit - girls - worn with a skirt
1907
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
King Township Archives
CatSue Mcbroom

14

Detail of Eversley School class of 1896. Sailor Suit - boys - worn with short pants
1896
King Township
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
CatSue McBroom
King Township Archives