Victorian Clothing For the Poor

Victorian clothing for the poor was meager to say the least. Many who were poor were also servants so they relied on their masters and mistresses to give them old clothing. One must remember that mass produce of clothing was not widely available until the later nineteenth century despite advances in industrialization. Victorian clothing for the poor primarily consisted of an over sized coat and trousers with no under garments. Shoes were rare for the poor and for the winter many poor Victorians were forced to wrap their feet in rags.

The coats and trousers would protect them in winter, but they had to rely on tattered and often finger-less gloves to keep their hands warm. The poor mostly relied on the charity of the rich for clothing when they discarded old clothing for the poor to pick up at first come first serve at churches or poor houses where clothing was distributed. Victorian clothing for the poor was not simply discarded because of a simple tear like we do today; clothing was literally worn until it rotted away with age. Children’s clothing was kept and passed down from generation to generation. Clothing was only washed when it rained. Just imagine how uncomfortable you would feel in clothing that was old, worn and did little to protect you from the elements and you’ll get an idea of what poor Victorians went through. Victorian fashion is admired for its elegance and beauty, but one must remember that not everyone lived in such pomp and Victorian clothing for the poor were either rags or donated clothing.