Dress 1900

Green was supposed to be unlucky, red lucky on children - prevented "blinking. Children went to show any new clothes to the neighbours. Where it was afforded, new clothes were got for Christmas or Easter and given a first outing to Mass. Not bought second hand.

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

Cloth called drugget made from a mix of wool and linen. Dyeing was generally done at home. "Blue Pot" was used for dyeing blue. After a death in the family, a black band was generally worn round the arms for a year. Women wore feathers and flowers in their hats. Peacock's feathers, although common, were regarded as unlucky. White for new born babies - flannel and cotton the material of choice. A petticoat called a barricoat was also worn by babies.

Baptism
Long white embroidered robe, woollen shawl. Cap for a boy - bonnet for a girl. Good to borrow for the first born, for first three months long clothes.
Children's Dress
Scarlet flannel into dresses. Bainin Brocach used generally - black wool. Boys about twelve got their first long trousers. Boys about three years old got their hair cut.
Girls Dress
Cotton shimmees - flannel petticoat - calico bodice straps over shoulders. White embroidered petticoats on dress occasions. Small girls wore band round hair. When near twenty hair put up in 'bun'. At about fourteen bodice and skirt substituted.
Woman's Dress
Shifts of grey linen. Bodices, calico or linen - white- 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. Down to knees - lasted a long time - handed down. Single women used them. Used 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 - white caps with laced borders - frilled. 'Talion' caps talion irons in everyday use. No distinction for single or married. Headkerchiefs - all colours. Got from peddlers - cotton - black silk (over white cap).
Ribbons
Young ones wore them - red or green. Big combs, which were bought from peddlers were worn. Straw bonnets with flowers or feathers - black usually. Straw hats worn - white or black - feathers or flowers on side. Felt hats worn - trimmed with ribbons.
Shoes
No shop shoes. Women used to go barefoot while men wore shoes. A very old type of shoe was called 'turnpump'. When made turned inside out. Sewn with fine lace instead of waxed lamp cord. Kind of slippers - no nails.
Stockings
White and black. Woollen mairtini worn - flap covering upper of foot - prevented 'scourging'. Mittens worn - black woollen - no fingers - point of thumb bare. Garters - knitted or threads twisted - same colours as stockings. Bridal clothes - no distinct change in costume. Married in first shoes.
Men & Boys
Underclothes, drawers, no undershirt. White flannel, not worn in four 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 knee, couple of buttons. Corduroy or velvet (for well off folk), linen with white cotton, cross pockets in front - buttons called 'yellow gilts'. For ten to twelve year olds held up by cords.
Socks
Home made, woollen. No Mairtini worn without shoes. Often shoes worn without socks. (Bróga ar lom). Leggings or moleskin with row of buttons on 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
Called 'Body Frocks' or 'Skirted Coats' - long vent behind seam across in front - two buttons at back. Very few overcoats. Not worn as raincoats - dear material - pilot cloth or beaver - dark blue. No buttons on back.
Collars and ties
Attached, soft, of same material as shirt, sewn on. Handkerchief worn as tie, 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 - tassel on top. Two ribbons down back - grey or brown or blue. Hats from shop- black felt hats cheap. Hatter in Meenlaharry. Cap of hareskin lined with black material 'Heelan' caps worn - tight band loose plait over hanging band - big tassel on top.