How long do girls stay in pinafores?

[Mama]

I'm so excited about this site; and I feel very comfortable here....that's the most important to me. I know I saw this information here somewhere, but cannot relocate it. Hope you'll all be willing to help me out. How long did girls stay in pinafores? I think I remember the answer was 14 or 15, and that pinafores in reenactment situations should remind all that these are still "children", and they should be treated with maybe more respect than us old, tough hens. If 14 or 15 was suggested, does this mean it was the trend in the actual times, or is it more of a visual cue for us today? I'd really be interested in knowing about the historical sense of this, but really like the idea of the pinafores being a cue. Our social status is upper middle class. We are VERY good farmers and work hard. We live close to several small towns in Piedmont, NC. The CW did not "find us", but we still suffer from the "lacking" of goods.

Vicki Wood

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: How long do girls stay in pinafores?

Welcome Vicki! For those men that have no idea what a pinafores are I dropped a picture below. I will be honest and say I had to ask. I am sure we have some very knowledgable ladies that can help you out.

[crabby]

Re: How long do girls stay in pinafores?

I don't know that there is a hard and fast rule about how long girls wore pinafores. As to this: and that pinafores in reenactment situations should remind all that these are still "children" I have heard it suggested as well as back button dresses to signify child vs grown woman. IMHO, by the time a girl is 12 or so either pinner aprons, half aprons or pinafores can be worn based on personal preference.
A search turned up this old post you might find useful:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?11171-Dress-length-for-a-young-lady&highlight=pinafores

You might also check out Elizabeth Stewart Clark's website or the Facebook group Civil War Civilian Closet.