Not Just for Christmas
Photograph of the Corcoran Family, Bray, 1951
Photograph of the Corcoran Family, 7 Sydenham Villas, Bray 1951. Left to right are Kathleen, Paddy, Ita, Kevin, Eithne, Moya and Anne. A big family like the Corcorans would have got a lot of use out of each garment on display.
'A Pictorial History of Bray, Co. Wicklow', Vol 3, 'The Town and its People'.Photograph of the Corcoran Family, Bray, 1951
'A Pictorial History of Bray, Co. Wicklow', Vol 3, 'The Town and its People'.
'A Pictorial History of Bray, Co. Wicklow', Vol 3, 'The Town and its People'.
Photograph of the Corcoran Family, Bray, 1951
Photograph of the Corcoran Family, 7 Sydenham Villas, Bray 1951. Left to right are Kathleen, Paddy, Ita, Kevin, Eithne, Moya and Anne. A big family like the Corcorans would have got a lot of use out of each garment on display.
'A Pictorial History of Bray, Co. Wicklow', Vol 3, 'The Town and its People'.It was once the norm that all clothes were handed down from the oldest to the youngest in a family. A pair of trousers could be expected to last between three or four brothers.
They would be altered to fit. Often, an extra piece of cloth was added to extend the length or repair wear and tear. For example, collars were turned and adult coats ripped and cut down to make a coat for one of the children.
Patchwork quilts were made using the remains of well-worn skirts or dresses. The knitting of jumpers, scarves, caps and mittens was commonplace.
Could you imagine these things happening nowadays?
A Disposable Society
One of the biggest changes to have taken place is that today, very few people make their own clothes. We live in a more disposable society.
These days, it is cheaper to buy imported clothes than to make your own clothes. If you go into charity shops, you will find lots of good-as-new clothes that have been discarded after a few wears.
In years gone by, clothes were very valuable. New clothes were often pawned to raise much-needed funds.