Kids Greek Costumes - Ancient Greek Dress
Belts or cards allowed the material to be hang loose or pleated. The boys usually wore their chiton shorter than the girls. A tunic, which was a long rectangular piece of cloth, was sometimes worn over the chiton. This was fastened at the shoulders, falling mainly to one side. Young girls gathered their hair at the back with ribbons or tied it in a knot at the top of the head. Ornamental and jewelled hair decorations were very popular. Boys often tucked their longish hair under a band that they wore around their heads. Cloaks were worn long or short and wide, and they were draped so that they could also be used as head coverings. The borders were usually decorated with patterns made from the popular "key' design.
Ancient Roman Dress
Roman tunics were very similar to those of the Greek chitons, except that Roman drapery was more pleated and fuller, also achieved with the use of belts. For the girls two tunics and a veil were not unusual, worn under a cloak known as a palla, similar to the Greek himation.
Boys wore toga costumes. The length of these was usually twice the height of the child; they were folded in half and pleated from the shoulders around the body. Basically, Roman costume derived directly from the Greek.
Toys
Throughout history most toys have appeared again and again, modified to suit their own period. From Greek and Roman times animal shapes have been popular as play-things. They were made into toys and rattles. Dolls were also known as early as the classical period, but were very unsophisticated, being made of clay, pottery or wood. Paper and plaster of paris were also used extensively in the making of toys.
British Costumes - The Early Britons
Positive accuracy is not possible in the description of dress worn before the Norman period, information is to be found only in religious manuscripts and on murals. Primitive dress appears to have remained unchanged until the middle of the fourteenth century and was the same for both children and adults. Originally hide, and later cloth, was used to make simple tunics, capes and moccasins. Earth and vegetable colours were the first to be used as dyes.
If the material hung loose from the waist it was known as a loincloth, later to become a skirt. If the material was joined or passed between the legs, it developed into trousers which were more usual in cold weather. Capes could be cut with a hole in the centre for the head to pass through or be semi-circular or rectangular. In the Dark Ages the tunics were made of two pieces of skin roughly sewn together at the shoulders and down the sides leaving an opening for the arms. Not before the second century AD were foot coverings made of pieces of skin tied to the foot. The clothes were mainly adaptations of the fashions brought from other countries who had invaded Britain
Kids Roman Costumes - The Roman Period
During this period Roman style tunics and semi circular cloaks were popular. These were usually decorated with stripes, spots and even animal or bird designs. When the Romans left Britain around 450 AD, the Angles and Saxons were the new invaders bringing a new style of dress. The trend was for children to wear a straight, short-sleeved ankle length dress with a belted over-tunic having a slit at the sides to allow movement. Children often wore a hip belt from which were suspended small toys for the younger ones, and real swords or daggers for the older boys of wealthy parents. Hair was generally worn long and loose although Phrygian caps were popular. Trousers when worn were loose and cross a suspender at the knees.
Pagan Costumes - The Anglo-Saxon Period
In Anglo-Saxon times the principal garment was a medieval Gunna costume which was an unbelted ankle length gown with the sleeves loose to the elbows. As embroidery was very popular, the neckline and sleeve edges as well as a panel down the front was so decorated. The designs were of Byzantine style. Under these full garments, long tight-sleeved gowns and chemises were worn. Hair was worn rather long and veils were fashionable amongst older girls.
Middle Ages Costumes - The Norman Period
When the Normans came to power, shorter tunics with more jewellery became fashionable. A dramatic change was that boys' hair was now shaved close at the back. Tunics became shorter and closer fitting, with long fairly wide sleeves narrowing towards the wrists. A loose circular shaped over-garment was also worn, belted at the waist. Cloaks were semi-circular and fastened with clasps at the shoulders. These clasps and fibulae or pins were always popular.
Girl Dress Costume
Girls wore a gown or kirtle over a chemise which was usually longer than a boy's. Super-tunics were also worn. The cloaks were generally ground length and often had hoods attached. Their stockings were much better fitting than the braes worn by boys. Young girls wore their hair long and loose and covered it with a kerchief, As no garments had pockets, belts and girdles were used to suspend small items.
Boys Fancy Dress
Boys wore braes or breeches which were ankle length; tighter fitting for the wealthier classes. They were cross suspended or spirally bound with leather thongs. Shoes were flat without heels, pointed at the toes and close fitting. Clothing consisted of a knee length tunic belted at the waist, the neck opening fastened with a clasp. Beneath this was worn a shirt. Hose were knee length and held up with garters or embroidered bands. Cross suspenders were still popular until about 1066. Shoes became more ornate, fastening down the front with buckles, and were higher cut, like boots.
Toy Soldier Costume
The Normans probably introduced toy soldiers during the Crusades. Toy knights and horses made of wood or clay, were also very popular. Hobby horses were characteristic of the era and were of Anglo-Saxon origin. Spinning tops, whistles (made in the shape of birds) and little paper windmills (similar to those found in present-day fairgrounds) originated at about this time. Marbles were introduced to England from Belgium and Holland. Children were fond of ball games and skipping.