It is really only since the twentieth century that childhood as a concept has been recognized and this is reflected in the changes in baby boy clothes and baby girl clothes.

Prior to the twentieth century, children were forced to grow up a lot faster. For example, until the last part of the eighteenth century the age of starting a job was as low as five for some unfortunates in the lower classes. Clothing for children was simply a smaller version of adult styles.

These copies of parent’s clothes were very restrictive and reflected the fact that childhood was not seen as a special time but a precursor to adulthood. During these eras play was not encouraged as it was seen as a waste of time therefore play clothes were not needed.

For centuries before, the use of swaddling to restrict newborn baby movement and to promote correct posture had been used. Often this was applied for the first year of a baby’s life so no other clothes were required. The habit has reduce enormously in Western cultures but it is still practiced extensively in some Eastern societies.

But by the end of the eighteenth century the use of long gowns to clothe both baby boys and baby girls had become common. One initial benefit was that they helped to keep baby feet warm because they were very long, but as the child began to walk the length of the gown stopped at the ankles.

By the time they advanced to toddler age both boys and girls were clothed in copies of Mom’s dress. Since the European Middle Ages, when clothes were washed not as often as we do now, the preference had been for dark colors so that dirt and stains were not as noticeable. The wealthier classes were able to afford more colorful and elaborate clothes and that indicated their status.

The convention of dressing both sexes alike until they became four or five years old started to change by the end of the nineteenth century. By the end of World War One, 1918, the romper suit had been “invented” and so differentiation between the sexes was the norm. Baby boy clothes made a dramatic change due to this type of suit that is believed to have a French origin.

Preschool boys are thought to have been the first to adopt the romper suit fashion, with the result that baby boys were now identifiable separately from baby girls. The first suits had long sleeves and covered the legs as far down as the knees. Long stockings completed the outfit. Toddlers wore boots and as fashions developed, two piece suits and suits made from velvet added to the more prevalent one piece basic option.

Then romper suit styles began to change farther. Modern shoe styles (for example, sandals) replaced boots and knee length suits became shorter. Short socks, usually white, replaced the longer stockings. Developments such as frills, lace collars, smocking and more colorful fabrics resulted in less formality, more decoration and variety than in the past, beginning with the 1920s.

But now in the 21st century, romper suits have reduced in popularity. In what is almost a reversion to earlier fashions, baby boy clothes and children’s clothes have once again become smaller versions of what their parents wear, although a wide range of colors now prevails. When Mom wants to find a small version of Dad’s polo shirt or jeans or khakis, there is almost no limitation. At least we are not returning to the time when work started at five years old and play was not considered important!