Glamorous and Green

Hello everyone!
As part of this blog I will write a series called "Glamorous and Green" where I share some of the small, everyday things that I do that are inspired by the past in order to keep a bit of glamour in my life, that also happen to be green and waste fewer resources than some of our more modern conveniences.


Handkerchiefs!! 

I LOVE Handkerchiefs, or as my great-grandma always referred to them - Hankies. For me they elicit memories of ladies waving them dramatically at a station as a train puffs into the distance, or a lady presenting her kerchief to her favored knight.

A candid shot of me sending my husband off to work! 

There are many theories as to the origin of the handkerchief, and I highly recommend the website Handkerchief Heroes for a wonderful overview. Many believe they originated in China, others believe it was Richard II of England in the 12th Century. Whatever their origin, they blossomed from a strictly utilitarian tool for hygiene into symbols of nobility (the more embellishment the better) as well as being used to convey an entire language of love and romance - similar to the language of fans.

I have amassed a respectable collection of hankies, and silly as it may seem, I find them romantic as well as practical. It doesn't hurt that they also give an excuse to accessorize and show a bit of style.
For you gentlemen, this is also an opportunity to not only show style, but chivalry. A beautiful pocket square in your suit is key - a practical handkerchief in your pocket is necessary - and a spare for a person in need is divine. A lady or gentleman will be suitably impressed when you offer them a clean folded hanky and tell them to keep it.  This may seem costly, but simple, inexpensive handkerchiefs allow you to be generous, especially at gatherings such as funerals or weddings. I am not suggesting you keep a box of them with you at all times, but one spare can make a lasting impression.

A handkerchief given to me by a dapper gentleman - I think of him every time I use it!

whoa whoa whoa - she's a lady

I know right away you may think - "EEEW! No way am I going to use a hanky when I can just get one of those disposable  tissue packets to keep in my purse/pocket!" or "There is no way some dinky little piece of flowery fabric is going to get me through an entire cold season!"

HAHA! This is where we get into the nitty gritty - There are many kinds of hanky. All I ask is that you consider this list before waving Au revoir to the notion that handkerchiefs will fit into your lifestyle...


Handkerchief Profile

1. THE KEEPSAKE
Alright, to get them out of the way, yes, there are some handkerchiefs that are nearly useless in an every day sense.  These are the ones you collect or have very personnel meaning or stories attached to them. For example - The handkerchief you had at your wedding, one used at a funeral for a loved one, a hanky that belonged to a loved one and/or has been passed down to you.  These are not for hygiene but for history. If it is particularly precious to you, take it to an expert (let them know it is an heirloom) and have it cleaned, pressed and boxed. This may seem extreme - but done once the right way it can preserve your hanky for a long time.

Hankies from my wedding. The silk embroidered one was a gift from my grandmother,  the cotton with the clover belonged to my great-grandmother.

2. THE SPECIAL OCCASION
Do you have a particular tie or piece of jewelry that you like to showcase on special occasions? Although I advocate wearing your special items instead of saving them so carefully that they never see the light of day, there are certain things that only come out for more formal events - It should be the same with your Handkerchiefs!  This may seem like quite a bit of work, but there is a very simple trick - keep one in each of your special occasion purses/ suit coats. If it is used, then wash it, press it and stick it right back. Your hanky will then be there when you need it! These are generally for "blotting the tear in the corner of the eye" type occasions, and tend to be more delicate.  I recommend lace and embroidery hankies; sturdy, but with flair. Lace edging and/or embroidery looks lovely.  Gentleman, you can get the short end of the stick with this, but you can either go for a simple look, plaid or monogrammed or, if you prefer, fancy with embroidery and lace edging - if it was good enough for fabulous fops, why not for you?!

 Remember, it is embarrassing and rude to disrupt an important occasion with the crinkling of plastic as you dig around to find and remove a disposable tissue!

2. (a) THE HOLIDAY
These fall under the auspices of "special occasion" and are a lot of fun! Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and every imaginable holiday - there is a hanky for it!

This is an adorable Valentines Hanky!

The Mail box in the corner opens! Awww!

3. THE EVERYDAY
Finally, we arrive at the practical.  These are sturdy hankies that can hold up to washing, but are still stylish. Most often they have printed designs on cotton fabric. If you are a stickler for coordination, you can match them to your outfits - but for the most part they can be as simple or colorful as you please. They can float from pocket to pocket, and can stand up to the drippy nose, the tear jerker film and the spot clean up of small spills. Handy and green as well as classy - they do not leave the white dust of disposable tissue everywhere, nor to they disintegrate as soon as moistened.

Perfect for waiving at the station!! 

4. THE INDUSTRIAL
This is the Handkerchief my husband so delicately refers to as "The Snot Rag" (eeewww).  It took me a little while, I admit, to come around to using one.  However, when the winter cold season (about 6 months or more here in WI.) came in full swing we were going through tissue paper at an alarming rate. My husband kept urging me to "just use a snot rag" but I was a bit grossed out at really blowing my nose into a non disposable tissue... Finally I caved, and I will not go back! It is AMAZING how much less paper we go through in the bathroom.  Although I have to keep a close watch on the laundry basket - my adorable hair bandanna's must never mix with the "Snot Rags"(eeeewww)

Eeeew.

THEY SOUND LOVELY, WHERE CAN I GET THEM?

I am glad you asked! You can purchase new handkerchiefs, but as this is an entry about being green, I recommend scouring your local (or not-so-local) vintage and antique stores. They usually have baskets of the very frilly Special Occasion hankies, but you can also find the sturdy Everyday variety as well. I know it can be hard to use them when they are so pretty - but it is their purpose!!!!

I know it may seem gross - but I cannot tell you how many times I have found immaculate collections of hankies for very cheap. Trying on a cute coat at a vintage store? Check the pocket - I have found hankies many times that way! (but, if you don't buy the coat, don't take the hanky - they belong together!)

 In fact, I hit the mother lode a few weeks ago when I found a collection of monogrammed gentleman's hankies with my initial in different designs!!

I suppose it could also be a W, but I am going to take what I can get!

Go ahead, give them a try... start with a few and see how it goes. I promise you will notice the difference in your paper consumption. You will also notice the slightly startled/impressed expressions on the faces of people around you when you use them! (well, excepting the "Snot Rag"- but that is for limited social use).

Reduce your use of paper and plastic, and show off your personality!

Do you use Hankies? why or why not? I would love to hear your experience, and if you would be willing to give them a try!