When I Was a Kid, We Were Marched Off to School With a Fresh Hanky Up Our Sleeve.
Published in
Jan 24, 2024
Women would always have one in their purse and men had one in their pants pocket. My Dad still uses them!
My favourite job was ironing them; there was usually a pile in the clean basket. Whenever I had a cold, Mum would drop eucalyptus oil on the fabric to help clear my stuffed-up nose.
In the Renaissance period, they were a popular gift for women to express interest in a man. The expression ‘dropping your handkerchief’ refers to this flirtatious act.
The pocket square is still popular in men's formal attire but it’s rare to see anyone using a handkerchief to blow their nose, despite it being more environmentally friendly.
Sorry, there’s something gross about having a wad of snot in your pocket. Thank goodness for Kleenex!
