Child's dress & cape

Worn as part of a matching outfit, see image SRCL024a-b, this dress would have been worn by a child of about four or five years of age.   The dress is fully lined with soft white cotton.  It has a high round collar and three quarter length sleeves with wide seamed cuffs.  The full skirt is decorated with a border of velvet and is fastened using two hook and eye sets.   Childrens fashion in the 19th century was often miniature versions of adult clothing.  This cape was worn with the dress, image SRCL024c.  The matching outfit is of rust-coloured cotton and velvet.  The cape is decorated at the front with four panels of velvet and is trimmed with cord.  The back remains plain with just a border of velvet.