Traditional handkerchief usage

**Tobus** · 8th January 10, 09:23 AM

Didn't know which forum was most appropriate...

I've seen various references over the years to men in the 1700s carrying handkerchiefs in the sleeves of their shirts. I don't think it was specific to Scottish kilted gentlemen; it seems to have been common for everyone regardless of attire or nationality.

It seems they would somehow stuff the handkerchief up the sleeve for storage, then pull it out for blowing their noses, wiping their brows, or whatever, then stuffing it back in there. Is this really true?

And if so, can someone tell me more about it? Did they use the same size hankys that we see today? What were they made of? Did they fold them up before stuffing them in there, or did they just wad them up? Or maybe did they have some fancy way of wrapping it round the forearm so it didn't make a lump in the sleeve? Where did they pull it out from and stuff it back into: through the end of the sleeve at the cuff, or from the slit above the cuff? Did they leave the tail of the hanky sticking out for easy access or was it supposed to be hidden?

It's just something I've been curious about, and I can't seem to wrap my mind around the idea of storing a snotty or sweaty rag in my sleeve.

**David Dubh** · 8th January 10, 09:38 AM

Hi Tobus
I'm not sure about this but that is what my granny did. She would keep a hanky or even kleenex stuffed up the sleeve of her cardigan, use it and replace it up the sleeve. I would presume that the tradition during the 17 century etc. has due to a lack of pockets. Pockets were only in the jackets and were probably used for more important items like your purse, which you wouldn't want to advertise was on you as you fumbled for your hanky. I'm sure that one of the historians will weigh in with a better explination.

Slainte David

**Pleater** · 8th January 10, 09:53 AM

I remember reading a novel where a man kept his handkerchief in his sleeve and it gave him away as having served in the Navy.

I thought it rather odd at the time, as I knew several men who had served in the Air Force with the same habit - but it was a rather old book.

Thinking about it now though, there was the Fleet Air Arm - maybe the habit migrated between the services.

The jacket sleeve covered the tail of cloth left protruding from the placket of the sleeve, so when the jacket was removed the first thing a gentlman did was to tuck the tail out of sight.

The lawyer in Dicken's Great Expectations used a handkerchief of unusual size - I must go and check where it was produced from to be flourished.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Jock Scot** · 8th January 10, 10:29 AM

I do that, on occasion, with a small clean hankerchief, I think nothing of it, I just do it, always have.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 8th January 10, 10:49 AM

Same here. I think the custom dates back to at least the 18th century when both ladies and gentlemen carried scented handkerchiefs which could be pressed to the face to mask unpleasant smells. As cities became cleaner, the custom of storing a scented handkerchief in one's sleeve remained. Well into the 20th century a lady's handkerchief was often scented, even if it was consigned to her purse, rather than her sleeve.

**Jordan** · 8th January 10, 01:18 PM

I do that with a kleenex when i have a cold, I allways have i just find it easier to find when i need it

**auld argonian** · 8th January 10, 01:30 PM

I'm sorry...I just can't help but keep the hanky in my back pocket...if I started keeping up my sleeve, I'd feel like every time I pulled it out I'd have to say:

"They seek him here
They seek him there
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere..."

Sink me, madame!

Best

AA

**Panache** · 8th January 10, 02:06 PM

When I wear a "Jacobite" style shirt with the puffy sleeves to a Scottish Country Dance I always tuck one in the sleeve to provide a discret means for wiping away perspiration during the evening.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**Lallans** · 8th January 10, 03:00 PM

I'm not proud of knowing this, but Cassanova used to park hankies in his armpits and then wave them under the noses of damsels he wanted to seduce. Or so I'm told. Also, I've never personally tried it.

**auld argonian** · 8th January 10, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

I'm not proud of knowing this, but Cassanova used to park hankies in his armpits and then wave them under the noses of damsels he wanted to seduce. Or so I'm told. Also, I've never personally tried it.

I'm going out for cocktails tomorrow afternoon...I'll let you know how it works...

Best

AA