Children's clothing
Children's clothing refers to clothing for boys and girls between the ages of around 3 and 16 years at most. It is subject to similar fashion trends as clothing for adults, but is usually more colorful and playful in design. Baby clothing is available for infants and babies up to around one and a half years of age . Toddlers wear special toddler fashions, which, like clothes for kindergarten children, are usually counted as children's clothes. When it comes to clothing for adolescents from around 15 years to adulthood, one speaks of youth fashion. Children's clothing for boys used to be called boys' clothing.
Examples
Typical items of clothing for children are:
- Romper suit (baby clothing)
- dungarees
- knitted tights
- Sailor suit (historical)
- Children's socks with colorful figure motifs
history
Little is known about early forms of children's clothing. From the 16th to the 19th century, noble and middle-class boys up to the age of 5 or 6 wore a floor-length dress, similar to that of girls, with a corset underneath and an apron over it. Only then were they allowed to wear the "male" pants. The girls were dressed in the fashion of adult women. A corset was put on them early on in the 16th century so that the body was shaped; Of course, that did not apply to the lower classes. Under the influence of “ Spanish fashion ”, lead plates were placed on the upper body of young girls to prevent the development of the breasts, since a breast was considered improper.
Up until the 19th century, small children who learned to walk wore a so-called cone cap on their head, a bead-like, stuffed ring. In addition, lead straps were sewn onto their clothes , a line, so to speak. Somewhat more child-friendly clothing for older children did not appear until the 18th century with the Enlightenment . In England there had been a one-piece boy’s suit since around 1780 . Around 1760, the girls wore dresses without corsets or bodices, very small, simple pendent dresses . In 1783, Emperor Joseph II banned the bodice for all girls' educational institutions in Vienna. School uniforms were introduced in schools . Boys of the upper class wore a cadet uniform .
In the Biedermeier period , boys wore a dress with long trousers underneath or a sailor suit . The dress for girls was cut wider than that for women and was shorter. Long "trousers" decorated with lace or ruffles were worn underneath until the age of 11. In addition, girls often wore an apron. After 1850 they were forced back into the corset. Around 1900 boys wore comfortable knee breeches and skirts. The trousers were common until the 1950s . For girls, flared and pleated skirts as well as pendent dresses became fashionable. After the First World War the hem of the skirt slipped over the knee. From now on the corset was a thing of the past. During the Nazi era, German children were uniformed ( Hitler Youth ). Since the 1960s, children's fashion has largely followed adult casual fashion.
Safe clothing for children
In contrast to clothing for adults, special safety requirements are placed on children's clothing . Not everything that is made for children can be safely recommended.
Cords and ribbons
Again and again there are accidents in which clothing plays a role, sometimes with fatal results. Cords and ribbons on anoraks , hoods and sweat shirts can pose a risk . They get caught in the crevices of playground equipment , escalators , school bus doors, automatic doors from z. B. subways, bicycle spokes and fences. While garments with cords and ribbons are prohibited in the USA and Great Britain (also in many Scandinavian countries), this is not the case in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For playground equipment, a solution has now been found in the play equipment standard DIN EN 1176 (valid since January 1, 1999) in order to reduce the risk of strangulation . However, the dangers are hidden in the entire everyday life and cannot be regulated here, except by doing without the cords on clothing.
The German textile industry has already issued a voluntary declaration of non-use of cords. However, some manufacturers do not adhere to the voluntary agreement. Parents can help themselves here. Shortening the straps and doing away with the sometimes bulky clamps offer a first approach. Separating the cord in the middle and sewing it together with a few stitches so that it can tear under stress can also help. It is best to insert a rubber band or a Velcro fastener .
Children's clothing made from easily flammable synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are another risk . Almost all synthetic fiber products have in common that they are easily flammable . Again, there are accidents such. B. with a harmless-looking magnifying glass , which is pointed at your own clothing, can be tragic. This is particularly the case with fleece items or products with synthetic fiber wadding (especially for ski clothing ). The small air cushions in the spaces between the fibers ensure optimal combustion. The melting plastics stick to the skin and cannot be wiped off. They continue to burn on the skin and cause deep burns.
Clothing is not subject to any special regulation relating to flammability. It falls under the "Food and Consumer Goods Ordinance". It is best not to put any easily flammable clothing on children. With textiles made of natural fibers such as cotton or virgin wool, you don't have to worry about this issue (although these are of course also flammable).
Traffic safety
So that children can be seen better in traffic, the manufacturers of children's clothing have for some years now started to attach safety strips to their outerwear, which, when illuminated in the dark, reflect the light. Such spotlights are also found on school bags . There are also reflective stripes or dots that can be ironed on.
See also
literature
- Ingeborg Weber-Kellermann: The children's new clothes. 200 years of German children's fashion. Frankfurt / M. 1985