Convenience opening

[LissaWilson]

Yesterday we were fortunate to see a bunch of originals from the Victorian era and it raised a question about boys trousers mid-century. Several of the boys shirts/trouser combos that were button-on had convenience openings in the front covered by a placket, similar to a button placket/flap. These were observed on later 19th century garments, dated about 1880 or so. Would this feature have been a possibility on mid-century clothing as well? We are getting well into the potty-training stage, but I don't trust unbuttoning all those buttons at the waist, and this convenience opening seemed like it might be a period solution if it could be documented early enough.

[Elizabeth]

I'll have to look back through my notes; I don't recall seeing a flap covering on convenience slits so early, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen, only that I'm not recalling it right now.  Part of the switch may be that later-century styles tend to be more closely fitted, so a slit would be quite visible, while mid-century styles tend to be a bit more loose and full, so a slit can "hide" more easily.

[Joanna Jones]

I think she was asking more about the appropriateness of the slit itself, rather than the presence of a placket?

Sorry if I'm misinterpreting!

[LissaWilson]

What Joanna said. Can I put an opening in a button-on set of trousers?

[Elizabeth]

Yep.