Alastair Duff

What people wore

Everyday Clothing for Women

Women typically wore a shift, a petticoat, and a gown with detachable sleeves, while an apron was essential to protect their clothes during daily chores.

Getting around

Mixing modern rail and traditional transport methods

By the late 19th century, railways were the preferred mode for longer distances, while people still routinely used horses, carriages, and walking for short trips or to reach stations. This mixture of old and new technologies meant that even as trains became standard for intercity travel, older methods persisted for everyday urban and rural transport.

At the table

Children's daily lunch costs

In London, working children often bought a simple lunch at a cook-shop for two pence, typically spending a penny on pudding and a halfpenny on potatoes. If they spent the full twopence, they were permitted to have a little gravy or fat added to their meal.

Music

Concertinas in Every Home

In 1890, it was remarked that almost every house in rural Norfolk contained a worn-out concertina or a broken-down accordion. Concertinas were found everywhere, including in pubs, churches, and at home gatherings.

Daily life

Shared water and toilets were common

Many working-class homes lacked indoor plumbing, requiring families to share an outdoor tap and toilet with several neighboring households.

What it cost

Cost of a pair of boots

A pair of workingman’s boots cost approximately 1 shilling and 3 pence to 2 shillings and 1 penny, which was often equivalent to a full day's wage for some workers.