{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
Mary Anna, you love all the things used for gracious living! Antique guest towels are so charming, aren’t they? Just like handkerchiefs, they carry so many memories of the past.
Sherry, I love that movie too, for many reasons! Hankies are a little square of magic, as far as I’m concerned.
Sarah, what a great idea to use pretty small ones as cocktail napkins, that is really thinking outside the box, just what I adore!!
Sharon, I love that a little post about handkerchiefs or an actual handkerchief can bring back joy to our hearts and memories, don’t you?
Edie Marie, oh, how I love this!! And especially since you are planning to make a quilt for your granddaughters with them, that is such a brilliant idea!
YES! I’ve inherited the handkerchiefs of my Grandma Meme, my Grandpa Henry, my darling daddy, my mother and aunts. I treasure them. The one of my grandpa’s is still in it’s box with his initials on it. My Meme purchased it as a gift to him for their wedding. It was made in Ireland. I never got to meet this wonderful man so I treasure it and look at it as he would have, admiring it and smiling. I plan to use several of my collection to make small quilted throws for my 2 granddaughters with the names of the women they belonged to embroidered on the edges. They’re at the top of my “project list”. Along with 3 other quilts I have to do! Yikes! Thanks for the wonderful post Lidy!
Blessings always, Edie Marie
A lovely post that brought back many wonderful memories of my grandmother, mom, and aunts who carried lovely handkerchiefs. Thanks you, Lidy!
Lidy, I loved reading this post! I carry a hanky and so does my husband. I’ll add another reason to your list. Since COVID arrived, I have reached for my hanky whenI didn’t want to touch a door or such with my hands. Then, of course, it goes into a little ziplock to be laundered. ?
Oh, and I have many vintage hankies from my mom and grandmother. I like to use the pretty embroidered ones as cocktail and luncheon napkins. They are also perfect for a bread basket liner.
This is a wonderful post. I grew up carrying hankies. One of my favorite movies, modern day classic, is You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I love the scene where Kathleen Kelly offers little Annabelle a hankie when she hears her sneeze. Annabelle has no idea what it is, so Kathleen explains its use and the sentimental value of the embroidered daisy. Kathleen is quite perplexed that kids don’t know what a handkerchief is any more!
Your post is lovely and educational for an inquiring mind. Thank you!
I am a fan of dresser scarves and doilies. Have so many and, also, lovely guest towels. Really add a bit of charm.
I use, for my everyday silverware, a silver plate pattern by Oneida, “Grosvenor”. Silver plate today is not very expensive and collecting all the various serving pieces can be fun. Of course, it needs to be polished, but that can be fun, too. Looks so beautiful when freshly polished!
Oh …. I have many sweet hankies, too.