a skirt

A boy's suit in wheat-coloured lightweight linen, trimmed with bands of dark olive braid. The double breasted jacket has half-moon shaped pockets and mother-of-pearl buttons. The pleated skirt slips over the head with no closure and the waist size can be adjusted with the ribbon tie belt. Seams are machine-sewn while everything else including pocket application and button holes are hand-sewn.

I think as late as 1870 it was considered proper for a British boy to be dressed in a skirt. As America approached the 20th century it became less common. I suppose Americans weren't as likely to be comfortable with what they saw as a feminine image for boys.

C'est la vie as Max Fisher would say.