How Girl Clothes Have Evolved Over the Years

When shopping for girl clothes, there are many factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for girl clothing for everyday wear or special occasion, it is important to choose high-quality styles that will last through her childhood and beyond. To help with this, there are many girls’ clothing brands that offer picture-perfect dresses and outfits at prices you can afford. One such brand is Cecil and Lou, which was founded by two moms and boasts an assortment of classic children’s fashion with heirloom-quality designs. For a complete wardrobe, you’ll also want to explore collections curated with little sisters or older daughters in mind like American Girl x Janie and Jack.

Unlike boy’s clothing, little girl clothes are often designed without pockets. For the average toddler, this may not be a big deal, but as children grow older they will need more storage space for sleepovers, snacks, books and more. Choosing dresses with no pockets not only reduces a child’s options for storage, but it also reinforces the notion that girls are less important than boys and that their needs should be met with less care.

For the first time, a growing number of girls are entering puberty at a younger age than ever before. As a result, girls’ clothing has been evolving rapidly over the last few decades to reflect a more adult look and to better fit their active lifestyles. However, some designers continue to struggle with balancing this shift from frilly dresses to comfortable jeans and tank tops. The lack of flexibility in these transitional pieces is attributable to the lingering effects of systemic sexism that have shaped girls’ clothing for over 200 years.

In the 1800s, illustrations in fashion catalogs often indicated what girls should wear at different ages by showing them wearing dresses of a certain style or color with specific embellishments like lace and bows. In the 1910s, a new trend began when young girls started to mirror their older female peers by wearing flowy drop waist dresses with wide lace trim and large hair bows. During this time it was still taboo for girls to wear pants to school.

Throughout the 2000s, girls’ clothing grew more and more feminine as a result of the “girl power” movement and TV shows with pre-teen lead characters. However, by the 2010s, girls’ fashion mirrored their teenage and college counterparts more closely as they wore khaki pants and shorts with baseball tees.

During this sensitive time of development, it’s important for parents to listen and understand their daughters. It’s essential that girls are allowed to express themselves through their clothing, hair and interests in a way that makes them feel authentic and happy. If a girl is forced to wear clothing she doesn’t enjoy, she will likely suffer emotionally and physically. This is why it’s important for parents to teach their daughters about body positivity and how to make healthy choices. Keeping an open dialogue about these issues will allow girls to navigate their growth with confidence.