Dress 1900

Green was supposed to be unlucky, red lucky on children - prevented "blinking". White for new born babies flannel and cotton.

Children went to show new clothes to neighbours. New clothes for Christmas or Easter, First outing to Mass, not bought second hand.

Tailors went from house to house - called "Whipping the cat". This ceased about one hundred years ago.

Cloth called drugget made from woollen and linen. Dyeing was done generally at home. "Blue pot" used for dyeing blue. After death in the family, black bands were worn round the arms for a year generally. Women had feathers and flowers in their hats. Peacock's feathers, though common were regarded as unlucky. A Petticoat was called barricoat (small).

Baptism - long white embroidered robe and woollen shawl. Cap for a boy: bonnet for a girl. Good to borrow for the first born, for first three months children wore long clothes.

Children's dress
Scarlet flannel made into dresses. Bainin Brocach used generally - black wool. Boys got their first long trousers about twelve. Boys and girls got their hair cut around three years old.

Girl's dress
Cotton shimmees - flannel petticoat - calico bodice straps over shoulders. White embroidered petticoats on dress occasions. When they reached fourteen a bodice and skirt substituted. Small girls wore a band round their hair. When they were around twenty years old their hair was put up in a "bun".

Woman's dress
Shifts of grey linen. Bodices, Calico or linen , white with buttons. Necks high - tight fitting. Some long sleeves - some to elbow. Neckerchief tied in front - skirt bainingorm - home dyed - black braid - black bands. Polkay - bodice worn over skirt. Cloaks were bought - heavy blue material. They were worn down to knees and lasted a long time, usually handed down. Single women used them for all outings.

Shawls
"Paisley" shawls, yellow, red, etc. They were a type called "scarf" two or four folds, mostly green or black. Head dress for old women was white caps with frilled laced borders "Talion" caps. No distinction for single or married, Headkerchiefs, all colours, bought from peddlers, cotton or black silk worn over white cap.

Ribbons
Young ones wore red or green ribbons. Also big combs, which were bought from peddlers. Straw bonnets with flowers or feathers, usually black. Straw hats worn, white or black with feathers or flowers on side, Felt hats worn trimmed with ribbons.

Shoes
Woman used to go bare foot while men wore shoes. A very old type of shoe was called "turnpump". When made turned inside out. Sewn with fine leather lace instead of waxed lamp cord. Kind of slippers without nails. Married in first shoes.

Stockings
While black and white, woollen mairtini worn, flap covering upper of foot which prevented "scourging". Black woollen mittens, without fingers and point of thumb was bare, were worn. Garters, knitted or threads, the same colour as stockings, were twisted. There was no distinct change in costume for bridal clothes.

Men and Boys
Underclothes, drawers, no undershirt. White flannel not worn in for months of summer. Shirts, woollen or strong shirting (home made linen), manufactured by women at home, scutched and cloved and hackled at home, greenish white - usual buttons.

Trousers
Breeches going to the knee, with a couple of buttons. Corduroy or velvet (for well off folk), linen with white cotton, cross pockets in front. The buttons were called "Yellow Gilts". For ten to twelve year olds held up by cords.

Socks
Home made and woolen. No mairtini worn without shoes. Often shoes worn without socks. (Bróga ar lom). Leggings or moleskin with row of buttons on the side, flap down over upper of foot and strap under shoe. Sheepskin shoes sometimes used for Sunday. No leather thongs, no brass eyes. Polish - burned straw and butter.

Vests
Sleeved waistcoat worn over ordinary waistcoat. Front corduroy. Back and sleeves moleskin. Had pockets. "Wellacoats". "Rollers". Rolled up round at the bottom. "Wrappers" only for women. No pockets or buttons on wellacoat. Smocks worn. Buttons and pockets, no jersey or gansy.

Coats
Coats were called "Body Frocks" or "Skirted Coats" with a long vent behind seam across in front and two buttons at the back. Very few overcoats. Not worn as raincoats, dear material, pilot cloth or beaver, dark blue. No buttons on the back.

Collars and ties
Collars and ties were attached, and the same material as the shirt. Handkerchiefs worn as ties, black silk (dear). Cravats, heavy material. Wearing of "dickeys" started near the end of the last century. Scarves and mufflers commonly worn instead of collars.

Headgear
Hats on men, caps on boys. Boys caps home knit with a tassel on top. Two ribbons down back, grey, brown or blue. Hats from shop were cheap black felt hats. Cap of hareskin lined with black material "Heelan" caps worn, tight band, loose plait over hanging band with a big tassel on top.

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