Actual dress from 1906 Here is an authenic pinafore from the early 1900s. 
Because pinafore dresses remained popular for many decades search for "pinafore" and pair it with a little cotton dress or shirt. Here is an example found on ebay for less than $5  
Or throw an apron over a dress you have.
These sold for $10:00 + shipping 
You can also find pinafore patterns 
This one is from McCalls just search for pinafore
Vouge pattern
This McCalls pattern only cost $1.99 Do it in two different calicos
or a solid and a calico and it would work. Just DO NOT do
blue and white like the one below!
In the 1970s there was a revival of historical fashions. So there
are many vintage dresses available from the 1970s that would work.
Jessica McClintock
Here is an exaple I found on ebay with leg-o-mutton sleeves.
And two sailor dresses
Most of these sold for under $10
Victorian inspired. But a little too fancy for school!
Laura Ashly also did Victorian inspired dresses. Here is one with
leg o mutton sleeves.
For $50 + shipping you can have an apron, calico dress, and bonnet custom made for you. This is more PIONEER style, but if you avoid white and do it in two calicos, or a calico and complimantary solid it should work. I wouldn't plan to use the bonnet though. The little girl in blue looks ok. The others are simply swallowed by the dress and the length is too long for our purposes. http://stores.ebay.com/Kellys-Costumes 
(again you won't need the hat.)
This cute one can be custom made for $35 
Search for rosaliesruffles on ebay. Then in the 80s the Gunne Sax short formal dresses were inspired by the bustle dresses out of the 1890s. Add a long skirt under one and you have an easy saloon girl or can can out fit complete with bustle. Example from ebay. Another just right for the dance hall girls.  |
or McCall's 4648
