Victorian little girls clothes

There are a few styles in my 1883 Butterick pattern catalog reprint book that I'm considering for The Girl, but I'm having trouble avoiding the dropped waist.  There are a few examples of natural-waist dresses, but it kind of feels like cheating to make the style that was the exception to the rule.  Well, not cheating, but not quite getting into the spirit of the thing.  Plus I need a design that works with the striped fabric I have.  I'm almost there; just a few more little ideas to simmer out.  I did decide I'm making bias ruffles from the stripes, yum!

The other thing is aprons.  There is a whole page of aprons in the book, and half of them look like modern aprons, but the rest look just like the dresses.  Totally closed back, long full skirt, high neck, long sleeves, nice trimming.  If it didn't say "apron" underneath, I would just think it was a dress.  How do they decide which style is which?  And would it be cheating to make the "apron" style as a dress?  Please someone say no - the aprons are cuter than most of the dresses!

I have finished her chemise and drawers, so I haven't been entirely unproductive so far!