DARNING STOCKINGS

In Victorian times, darning stockings was a task ladies undertook - time consuming and laborious.
Quoted in the magazine 1861 is an article about "Renewable Stockings" invented by Messrs Owen and Uglow. It is further quoted that the principal arguments in favour of these stockings is the saving of trouble and time, and the avoidance of discomfort which is always attendant upon uneven darning. The economy resulting from purchasing these stockings is that one pair will last nearly as long as two pairs of ordinary stockings.
The magazine recommends this new invention and quotes "we hope that our readers will be enabled to adopt the advice of the inventors and "DARN NO MORE"!!

ANSWER TO A LETTER FROM A READER (Mary H)

"Quote - We are happy to tell you that it is now illegal for a husband to strike or beat his wife. His right of "moderate correction" was first questioned in the time of Charles the Second, and is now indefensible. A wife has the right to the custody of her child up to seven years of age. The personal property of a wife passes to her husband absolutely on her marriage, but her real (i.e.freehold) property can only be alienated by him during her life with her consent. If, as should be, it has been given to trustees for her sole use, he has no power over it. A wife may demand maintenance from her husband, but cannot pledge his credit even for necessaries, if she voluntarily quit his protection."unquote.

Just shows that women did not even in those times stay in a household where there was domestic violence as we know it today.

A REPLY TO A READER ABOUT TENANCY OF A HOUSE

""Quote - You are not bound to continue to reside in a house which your landlord allows to fall into an untenantable state. Give him notice to repair it forthwith; and if he neglect to do so, quit and deliver him up the key. He will only be able to recover up to the quarter in which you leave - under such circumstances." unquote.

A REPLY TO A READER REGARDING FACIAL HAIR!!

"Quote - No, madam, it cannot be done. If you have a moustache growing upon your upper lip, you must bear it like - well, like a woman; and we know that endurance of a woman is equal to anything." unquote.

A REPLY TO A READER REGARDING PURCHASING "WASH FOR THE HAIR"

"Quote - Are you quite sure you have not indulged in a little facetiousness when you talk about a wash for the hair, "purchased at a respectable chemist's" turning your hair "green, violet, and yellow?" We think an action for fraud would lie against the vendor of an article which professed to impart a raven lustre to frosty locks, but which really metamorphosed sober gray into the colours of the rainbow.

These are just some of the quotes from this fascinating Women's Magazine of 1861 and not much different to the problems women have today don't you think?

How refreshing it is to look back at Ladies Fashions in the 1800's. From the descriptions contained in periodical publications such as "The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine" (around 1860). it is obvious that ladies followed the fashion of the day with eagerness (much as we do today). Rich coloured materials were favourite with gold trimmings and garments were "large and ample". The use of steel petticoats produced the desired "crinoline" effect. Stockings were worn made in the same colour as the petticoat, sometimes striped with black.

An example illustration is shown above - Dressed for Dinner 1860.

Description of dresses from left to right.

Left Design - The headdress is composed of blue daisies and the dress is white silk covered with 3 skirts of white tulle and looped with bunches of blue daisies. The body is trimmed with folds of tulle fastened in the middle and on each shoulder by daisies matching the skirt. The 3 skirts are looped up at various distances. Delicately sewn with a delightful result.

Centre Design

Headdress made up of black and magenta feathers, draping onto the back of the neck. The dress is magenta moire trimmed with black and magenta ruches and black lace. The body and skirt are made all in one without a seam at the waist. A silk magenta ruche and one of black silk are placed alternately on the body and continue down each side of the skirt. A large rosette of the two colours is placed, finished off by 2 long lace lappets. Rows of lace ornament the front of the skirt. A moire flounce is put around the bottom of the skirt finished off with a small ruche. This dress is longer by 12" at the back (forming a small train).

Right Design

Suitable for a young girl from 6 - 10 years of age. The dress is made of white tarlatan with a low body and short sleeves. The skirt has 5 narrow flounces which were either hemmed, pinked or trimmed with a narrow ribbon and the body is trimmed with the same material. A magenta or pink silk sash fastened with a bow at the side finishes this pretty feminine dress. A headdress made in the shape of a round wreath is made of small magenta coloured roses. Surely any child from our own century would love to wear this dress?

Ladies from this era wore dresses for:
Walking on the Promenade
Sitting in an open carriage
Evening Dress for Dinner

Morning Dresses would be plain and simple whilst an Evening Dress would be grand and colourful.

Just 3 examples of the exquisite fabrics and designs of this period are shown below.