Baby dress and knicker set, maker unknown, England, ca. 1955

Baby dress of cream chiffon with a blue and pink floral print. The dress has short, puffed elasticated sleeves, round neck and a pink smocked chest. White knickers with elasticated waist, to be worn over a nappy.

Gift of Caroline McIntyre

This dress and knicker set was worn by the donor, Caroline McIntyre when she was about 1 year old (b.20/02/1954)
The dress and knicker set is a part of a larger gift ranges in size and age group from the donor’s and her brother’s baby clothes throughout her childhood up to the age of about 14. This is a rare opportunity to follow the changing size, fashions and clothing choices (either her own or those chosen for her) of one individual throughout their childhood of the mid 1950s-1960s including those clothes worn for every day as well as those saved for best.

This garment is part of a larger gift of childrens clothes worn by a girl called Caroline (and some by her brother) spanning the mid 1950s-1960s. The range of clothing shows both the developments in fine quality brands, designs and fashions bought for her and available to many girls in the post war period and, through the increasing size and sophistication of the garments, charts Caroline own developments from a toddler through towards her teenage years.

B.311:1,2-2011