Below is a collection of children of various age groups.  From birth, little boys were dressed just like little girls - in skirts - until they were potty trained!  In some pictures, the only way you can tell them apart is by the fact that boys' hair was always parted on the side, and girls' hair was parted down the center, just like mom's.  For girls, the cut-off age between childhood and adulthood (at least regarding clothing) came at about age 14-15.  At this point, her clothing ceased to have children's characteristic, and she began to dress (and hopefully act) as an adult.  Some characteristics that define children's clothing are noted below the pictures.

Teen-age girl probably 12-14 years old in a boat-neck, back-opening dress and short sleeves.  Her hair is cut short and tucked behind her ears, a popular style for young girls (long hair put up, floor-length skirts and front opening bodices were associated with adulthood).	A sweet little girl in a simple one-piece dress.  The neckline is open, and the top is loosely gathered into the waistband.  She appears to have "growth pleats" in her skirt, which allowed it to be lengthened easily as she grew.	These two girls (most likely sisters) wear matching, gathered-front dresses with back openings and have short hair tucked behind their ears.  The girl on the left appears to have a growth pleat in her skirt.
Picture of a mother and her daughter.  Child has a boat-neck, short sleeved dress, the front of which has been pleated across the front.  Notice mother's watch hanging on a chain from her neck, and tucked into her belt.	This young lady wears a front-gathered, back closing dress with long sleeves and a high neckline.  Her hem is still about 7" off the ground, indicating that she still has some time before she wears adult-style clothing.	This girl wears a dress bearing characteristics of a young adolescent, yet the hem is nearly floor-length.  She appears to be around 13 or so, and would no doubt be wearing adult-style clothing within a year or two.

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