Kids, dirt and clothes

Fact: rompers were invented so kids could play in the dirt. The earliest patent I've found for these loose-fitting, unisex jumpsuits dates to the 1880s. Apparently a female inventor (mom?) had the brilliant idea that boys and girls needed to worry less about their clothes and focus on fun. Sandboxes were new-fangled equipment, and laundry was still a huge burden, so she designed a coverall that fit over toddler's dresses (back then they all wore dresses). 

By the 1920s, rompers were no longer overgarments, but simply popped on over underwear. The version on the right, also called a creeper, was for children still in diapers. 

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One of the patterns I am noticing in the evolution of unisex clothing is the dressier the outfift, the more gendered the design. Play clothes were not only washable and usually in darker colors, but also identical for both boys and girls. At least that's how it used to be.

Playclothes, 1962. Blue, red and brown were popular colors.

Playclothes, 1976

My current questions:

• What was happening with outdoor play when play clothes become more gendered?
  
• What is the relationship between highly feminized play clothes and girls' freedom to romp and get dirty? Pastel colors, which show the dirt more, would seem to limit such activities, even if there's a modern washing machine in the home. There is also the issue of fit -- skinny for girls, loose for boys.

Examples:

Girls' Playtime Favorites, 1-5 years (GAP)
Boys' Playtime Favorites, 1-5 years (GAP)

For an interesting perspective on children and dirt, see "for the love of dirt". You can also enjoy Mariana's colorful, comfy gardening outfit. I found this blog post via the awesome Princess Free Zone. If you have a kid in your life, you should check out PFZ.