{Albert Roosenboom-Public Domain}
History
The history of handkerchiefs is long, and {believe it or not!} hotly debated by scholars. You can read more about it here > Considered valuable enough to be listed in dowries, and bequeathed in wills. handkerchiefs through the ages have been a sign of wealth. Covered in expensive hand made lace in the 17th century and onward to show off wealth and status, the handkerchief became less of a status symbol as time went on. Until Kleenex was invented in the 1920's, handkerchiefs were something everyone had. Everyone. Not just for practical reasons, but also as a way to accessorize outfits in style. I for one have never lost sight of the charm of a beautiful handkerchief. There are so many reasons why you should always carry a handkerchief!
Why You Should Always Carry a Handkerchief
To Blow Your Nose
Not only does a soft handkerchief work better than a flimsy tissue, it's much more gentle for your skin. The handkerchief won't tear, it will help stifle sneezes in style.Have a Good Cry
There is a reason many brides give their two moms handkerchiefs at the wedding. Whether you are crying tears of joy at a wedding, or a birth or baptism, or tears of sadness at a funeral, a real handkerchief is so much better than a tissue! I have at times offered a clean folded handkerchief to someone in church who was crying, telling them to keep it as my gift, and I can't tell you how many new friends I've made like that! It's a small gesture, with big rewards. {fact check - I'm keeping it real by telling you here that I'm not generous enough to give away a truly expensive antique hankie. sorry! I have a special selection of pretty but more practical handkerchiefs in my "give-away" pile!}When You Get Hot
Sometimes, it's just so hot! A real handkerchief is THE thing to delicately mop your brow in company. {I know, my mom's upbringing to always act like a lady is showing!} If you have ever tried to wipe your sweaty self with a pack of tissue, you totally know what I'm talking about! A handkerchief works wonders when life, hot flashes or heat or all of them at once are forces to be reckoned with.Clean Up
This may be icky, but honestly, I can't tell you the amount of times I've cleaned up my little people's dirty little faces with a handkerchief! Hopefully water is around, but - don't be disgusted - if not, a little spit works. {I know ewwww...but what is a Mom to do when little persons smear chocolate all over their face seconds before marching down the aisle as a bridesmaid?!!} A handkerchief is a great help for lots of times when you need to clean something quickly. I try to remember to spritz a little cologne or lavender on my handkerchiefs because that really helps elevate my mood when I smell it!Environmentally Friendly.
Probably the most important reason to carry a handkerchief. Not only does using real handkerchiefs help reduce the amount of paper, water and energy we waste as a society each year, it is very cost effective too! It's a small thing, but small things all add up to big things.Phone and Glasses Care
There are great products for cleaning your sunglasses, I know. The problem I have is that I don't always have that with me. Other than having to clean my glasses with the inside of my shirt, {it happens!} a handkerchief is the perfect way to clean glasses without scratching the lenses. Same for your phone. I don't know about you, but my phone gets make-up on it during the day sometimes. A good wipe down once in awhile with a clean handkerchief works wonders to clear up the screen when I can't find my little special cloth thing.Charming Style.
I know, I know, it's totally old school! But isn't there something charming and elegant about using a beautiful, well made handkerchief from your purse? As a little girl, I was always so enamored with my grandmama's handkerchiefs, she always looked so stylish. Not matter where she was, if it was needed, she could pull a gorgeous handkerchief out of her French bag and offer it to me, or blow my nose, or cry into it softly. {her, not me, at that age I did not have crying softly in my vocabulary.} When my Mom passed away and I went through her things, I kept every single one of her handkerchiefs, and the ones she inherited from grandmama, too. I use them, and each time I do, I get that little flutter of joy in my heart knowing they loved me, I loved them, and we were so blessed to do so. So I collect and use colorful vintage handkerchiefs, and pull them out of my own purse from time to time, hoping that my own girls and little people will find that a sweet memory of me, too!
There are so many reasons why you should carry a handkerchief! If I haven't convinced you, there is a whole other reason to buy and cherish the antique and vintage handkerchiefs! They make for a beautiful collection! There are so many styles to choose from, and price points. From the extravagant hand embroidered wedding handkerchiefs that make a perfect gift for a new grandchild or a bride, to the colorful handkerchiefs covered in flowers from the 1940's, each one is a gem!
If you are ready to begin a collection of hankies to enliven your every day style, help the environment, and so much more, we have a few fantastic handkerchiefs for you - antique and vintage, fancy and just plain fun!
Using Antique and Vintage {or even new} handkerchiefs, YES or NO??! I'd love to hear what you think!
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
37 comments
I love every one of my many handkerchiefs! Some are from my childhood, some have crocheted edges made by both grandmothers, some from my mother and others I’ve purchased overseas or were gifts. They are such a little bit of elegance to have in one’s purse!
Rita, what a sweet thoughtful idea! Your brother-in-law wins the best BIL prize! That is such a great idea, thank you so much for sharing that. I love children’s handkerchiefs, they are super rare to find, I agree! Mostly because….well, children. I found a box of antique silk child size hankies a few years ago, and sold all but one. Obviously not for real use, nanny probably just used her own larger ones!
:) I love your story. I’ll admit, I don’t iron my every day handkerchiefs. My husband’s Dutch mother always always always ironed everything {she ironed my underwear when I first visited her as a young bride!!} but I just fold them right out of the dryer. The special ones, though, those I iron. Thank you for sharing. xo
Hello Barbara, thank you so very much, that is so sweet of you to say. I’m so happy that you are inspired to carry a handkerchief, they are so handy!
So sweet. Finding children’s vintage hankies is an especially sweet treasure, so hard to find. I have a brother-in-law who, very thoughtfully, gave each of my six sisters and me a purple (my mother’s favorite color) hankie at my mother’s funeral, and a couple weeks ago at [another of] my brother-in-law’s funeral, he gave one to each of my sister, her daughters, granddaughters and dil. It was such a thoughtful gesture.
I love hearing that, Theresa! They are special, aren’t they, especially since handkerchiefs are so personal, often with the owner’s initial, or with colors or flowers she loved.
Rhea, what a wonderful idea. An idea that anyone can adopt, and one I’m certainly going to. It’s such an unexpected surprise, isn’t it, to find a special handkerchief in a sweet card. Brilliant!
Jeanie, I hope you get out your pretty inherited hankies and use them! They will bring you such joy, because you will be thinking of the women you love.
Denise, another brilliant idea for displaying hankies! What a smart idea, plus it shows each one off for a while, and you can rotate the display.
Mine was too! My grandmother and mom probably would die to know that I only iron the special ones now, not the “everyday” hankies. I love that you inherited your husband’s Aunt Isabelle’s hankies!