Dear Accord,

I was interested to see the letter from ‘Jill’ in your No 9. Putting a boy in a pinafore used to be a favorite form of discipline in the days when pinafores were common articles of girls’ wear and therefore easily obtained, They were a most effective method of controlling an unruly boy.

When my own son was about ten he became disobedient and rude and generally ‘too big for his boots’, and remembering old-fashioned methods I got him some pinafores. Luckily, I knew a small dressmaker who is very clever at copying from illustrations, and I got her to make some pinafores from illustrations in Victorian and Edwardian magazines. These had large frills on the shoulders and when well starched looked charming. I also got him a kilt or rather a tartan skirt which was much cheaper, and some silk blouses and black nylon stockings. When he was first introduced to this clothing there were tears, tantrums, and sulks but I was determined that he would not have his own way, and I forced him to submit largely by threats of worse to come. My treatment worked wonders and put the boy in his place most effectively. When other children were coming to the house, particularly his sister’s friends, he used to beg to be permitted to wear his ordinary clothes, but I never gave in to him, and he was always pinafored no matter who came to the house. I also got the dressmaker to copy an illustration of a Little Lord Fauntleroy suit in black velvet with a lace collar and cuffs and a wide silk sash. This really looked delightful. I made him also wear a pinny with this outfit.

If he was sulky or ill-mannered I used to make him wear one of his sister’s out-grown dresses with underwear. I shortened the dresses so that his frilly knickers were clearly visible and his dainty petticoats showed below the dress.

He wore pinafores all the time in the house until he was 14, and was sometimes put back into them for misbehaviour until 17, with excellent results.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs R. R. S. London.

Thank you for that wonderful letter from the past, Mrs R. R. S., you are a fine example to us all! A Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit accompanied by an old-fashioned pinafore (which I assume buttoned up at the back) would look just darling. And it would keep your difficult son very firmly 'petticoated' because he would not be able to undo the buttons. I am sure he grew up to be an excellent and well-trained  husband for some lucky girl.

Susan