Figure 1.--Here we see 8-year old Charlotte in a white summer dress with a large lace collar. The dress has long sleeves and a decorative gem ruffle. Note the hair bow. Charlotte wears long black stockings and high-top shoes. Drawing by Birte Koch.

Charlotte is 8 years old. Girls still always wore dresses. They did not have play garments like shorts. Dress hems were a little higher after the turn of the 20th century. White dresses were very poular, especially in the summer. We note colored dresses as well. Charlotte wears a white Summer frock. It has long sleeves even though it is a summer dress. The neck level was very high. There was decoratiove lave work on the upper bodice. Her hem has a decorative ruffle and is calf level, but could be higher for younger girls. This would have been one of her better dresses. She would have worn it to parties or other spevial events. Both boys and girls wore long stockings, but might wear short socks during the summer. Dark long stockings were common, but some children, especially girls, might wear long stockings. Many girls wore long hair, often with hair bows. Both boys and girls wore high-top shoes. Charlotte has begun primary school. If the family had not a private teacher she would have attended a state (public) primary. In public school Charlotte probably would be in the second or third grade (counting begins with one). The dress here is not one she probably would have worn to school. She prfobably would have worn a more plain dress, perhaps wsith a pinafore.

Created: 5:13 AM 1/29/2006
Last updated: 5:13 AM 1/29/2006