The apron was a common garment for girls from the 1700s to the early 20th century, designed to protect their dresses from getting dirty. They were usually made of cotton and pinned rather than buttoned. Aprons were an early sewing project for girls and are still seen in Victorian-themed collector dolls’ outfits. The smock is no longer popular as girls now wear shorts and T-shirts.
Pinned above, or at the front, the apron was a ubiquitous children’s garment from the 1700s to the early 20th century. The apron was designed along the lines of an adult woman’s full apron and served essentially the same purpose: keeping the girl’s dress from getting dirty.
An apron was usually made in white or pastel color, from calico or other cotton materials. A Sunday apron could be made of organdy, a sheer grass cloth that’s dressier than regular cotton. The apron had a bodice and skirt that usually came to within a few inches of the bottom hem of the dress. The bodice varied, depending on who made the apron. Some were more like a little backless dress, while others had a more apron-like front, but with ruffles over the shoulders.
During the days when pinafores were worn by girls, there were no mild detergents available. Most of the detergents were bleach based, which was hard on buttons. Therefore pinafores were pinned rather than buttoned, and used to protect the dress. The dresses were not washed frequently due to the button problem, and the apron and apron were indispensable to keep stains and stains away.
The apron changed a bit over the years, and a Sunday apron might as well have crossed the straps that fastened at the back, along with the waistband of the tie, making it look more like an apron. Most little girls were taught to sew when pinafores were all the rage, and after swatches and quilts, making a doll’s apron, then one for themselves, were early sewing projects.
Many collector dolls that have a Victorian theme often include outfits with an apron. These usually have metal snaps instead of pins, but they are a good example of what the apron looked like. Some girls’ dress patterns also have what are called pinafores, but these are often more like a jersey dress, to be worn over a blouse rather than a full dress.
The smock has gone out of style as girls wear shorts and T-shirts to play, but it was once an important item in their wardrobes.
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