I was just thinking about the clothing that the girls wore in their childhoods. They were always dressed so beautifully and elegantly. Here are just some random thoughts about this subject. Firstly, I am interested in learning more about how making their clothes worked. I imagine that seamstresses must have gone to the palace to get measurements and then some prestigious firm would have made their clothing, using the highest quality materials. I recall reading about their little coats made of the softest goose down and also seeing a pretty pink summer dress for one of the girls (not specified who) in the N&A exhibition catalog book. Who was responsible for making their dresses? What materials were used and what styles were followed (i.e. did Alexandra follow her own classic taste or go along with whatever was en vogue at the time)? What was the cost for such children's clothing?
I know that their clothing followed a more or less seasonal schedule, wearing white flowing dresses in the summer, sailor suits in the autumn, warm coats in the winter, and white dresses with coloured sashes in the spring. I like that the Empress was frugal enough to have them use hand-me-downs, with dresses passed from oldest to youngest, and the hems adjusted as necessary. She seems to me to be so much more like a regular mother than an Empress by doing that. Heck, I know regular people nowadays who would not even do that.
Finally, I recall reading a caption under a photograph of the girls as small children that they were "too elegantly dressed to play." They always seem to be dressed exquisitely, though, so I wonder whether they were allowed to just play in their fine dresses or changed into something else. On the other hand, I do recall seeing pictures of them in simpler clothing such as cotton type dresses or simple long skirts and blouses that seemed more suitable for romping. There is a picture that comes to mind of Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia laying in the dirt on some kind of makeshift swing, looking dishevelled and messy but loving it!
