Our contemporary eyes see a typical girl’s dress here, but nothing could be further from the truth. Matheus Johannes Aelen, or Thieu for short, wore this dress around 1905, with white shoes. Thieu was the son of Anna Raaijmakers and the wealthy wool manufacturer Adrianus Aelen. Between about 1650 and 1900, boys and girls wore dresses in the early years of their lives: it was easier before they were toilet trained. [text 2024]

Between around 1650 and the beginning of the 20th century, both boys and girls wore dresses during their early years: it was easier before they were toilet-trained. Matheus Johannes Aelen – known as ‘Thieu’ – wore this dress as a child around 1905. He was the son of Anna Raaijmakers and the wealthy wool manufacturer Adrianus Aelen. [text 2025]