The reticule and purse

February 16, 2007 by Vic

A lady’s necessities, such as a fan, scent bottle and handkerchief, were carried in a small bag, or reticule, which was often circular or losenge-shaped. Mrs. Elton in Emma had a purple and gold reticule in which she had carried a letter. For carrying coins, a popular purse was was the ‘stocking’, or ‘miser’s purse’; long and narrow in shape, with an opening in the centre, it had two rings to close it and ornaments at either end. Many of these were knitted, netted, or crocheted, and making purses was a popular pastime; Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice considered netting a purse a female ‘accomplishment.’

P 150, Jane Austen’s Town and Country Style, Susan Watkins.

Also see:

The Costumer’s Manifesto

The Georgian Index

Posted in Fashions, jane austen, Jane Austen's World, Popular culture, Regency Life, Regency style, Regency World | Tagged Regency Fashion, Reticules | 3 Comments

3 Responses

on February 21, 2007 at 09:51 Lady Jane

I want to find a pretty and easy knitting pattern for a reticule. It sounds much prettier than “purse,” don’t you think?
on February 21, 2007 at 18:24 Ms. Place

Agree. The name conjures up lace and fringe and pretty crocheted flowers.
on January 24, 2009 at 12:55 Seen Over the Ether: Hand Mades « Jane Austen’s World

[…] The Reticule and Purse […]

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