"Breeching" - the wearing of trousers, was sort of a ceremonial rite that boys reached when they were around 4 to 6 years old and sometimes as late as eight years old.
Until then, they were considered "unbreeched" and wore the same clothing their sisters would wear - except without any jewelry. This was done more for convenience as trousers (breeches) were more complicated in those days to remove and put on.
Toilet training was a factor as well. A small boy in a dress could just have it hiked up by his mother/nanny when it was time to go.
The breeching age was also when the father typically started playing a role in the boy's upbringing. Up to that point in time, child rearing was left entirely to the womenfolk.
Thanks for that explanation
I had heard it was common but that makes perfect sense
having raised two girls and a boy
I’m thinking maybe we should go back to that
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