Between the decades children's clothing continued to follow the basic fashion trends of their mothers and fathers. While there were definite modes of dress specific to children, a child's wardrobe would most often be dictated by family social status and region in which he or she might have lived.
Until she "came of age," a young girls dress would have a back closure, shorter skirt and often a low neckline and short sleeves. Once "breeched" (at about 4 or 5) boys frequently wore Zouave jackets with shirts that buttoned to contrasting trousers, often cut off below the knee.
By the 1860's high and low necked "Garibaldi" dresses and shirts for girls and "Garibaldi" pants for boys became popular as did military-type caps and capes and garment decoration.
Plaids, checks and very small prints were also popular for children's wear.
