A generation or more ago, “Grab some tissues” replaced the gentle reminder “Don’t forget your hanky.” Handkerchiefs were perfect for wiping away a tear or soaking up the sniffles. A tad of good old-fashioned comfort was lost with their demise but we have our memories.
Those Were the Days of Handkerchiefs
Dolores Vacek recalls an elderly, happily married woman she once knew who admitted to dropping her handkerchief on purpose. Standing in line at the picture show, she wanted to catch the attention of a young man behind her. The ploy worked! He picked up her handkerchief, returned it and the rest, as they say, is history.
Gloria Heinrich recalls 25¢ could buy a lot when she was a youngster. Her family lived in the country and on Friday nights, went to the local Prairie Valley, Texas, Sons of Hermann Hall.
“We didn’t have much money, but Mama always tied a couple of quarters in a corner of her handkerchief. That way, we didn’t have to bother Daddy for money to buy candy or a soda while he was playing skat,” Gloria says.
Sue Gunn adds, “Oh, I remember the child-sized little square handkerchiefs so well! My mother made sure I had at least seven, a fresh one for each day of the week. I remember little dogs on one, hearts and various flowers and edging on others. All were white except for one in pink and one in blue; they were for Sundays.
“I think I carried a handkerchief at least through elementary school and probably in junior high. Tissues were considered wasteful,” Sue adds.
Darla Dippel Brandt recalls a very special handkerchief, a keepsake that still makes her smile.
“When I was going through some things my mother saved in her cedar chest, I found a handkerchief I had received as a birthday gift in first grade. It was still folded in a perfect square, and I immediately recognized the little gray bear with the pointed nose. I never used that handkerchief but played with it and carried it in my purse now and then.I don’t remember who gave it to me. I wish I did.”
Lots of Handkerchief Memories
“I remember going to church carrying my little purse. I always checked that I had a handkerchief in it, but never remember using it,” says Janice McCurdie.
Janice’s sister-in-law, Sue McCurdie, still has her grandmother’s handkerchiefs, a treasure trove of 16, some of which are very fragile. One was sent to her grandmother from Malta, where her father was serving in World War II.
“My mother always had one in her handbag,” Carolyn Neely recalls. “I remember shopping for them and helping her choose a few new ones, which were then carefully placed in a thin box lined with tissue paper just large enough for them. When I cleared out my mother’s belongings, I divided her hankies and sent a few to each granddaughter and kept a few for myself.”
Handkerchiefs bring back sweet memories of her late husband for Brenda Miles.
“In my bridal bouquet, I carried a handkerchief trimmed in tatting that had belonged to Freemon’s grandmother. I still have it.”
Brenda also remembers that when she was very young, her mother would give her money for the store or picture show tied in the corner of a handkerchief rather than putting it in a billfold or purse.
Melinda Barneycastle says although she doesn’t have a specific handkerchief memory, she’s certain her grandmother, who lived through the Great Depression, always carried one.
“She would have considered paper tissues wasteful!”
“When I was growing up, we had side pockets on our big skirts and dresses that had room for a hanky, but we didn’t carry them daily,” adds Stacy Ryza.
A Man’s Handkerchief
For decades, handkerchiefs added a smart, fashionable touch to a man’s breast coat pocket.
Surprise! Sometimes, jaunty folded handkerchiefs were not handkerchiefs at all. Small, carefully folded pieces of cloth were now and again stitched to pieces of light cardboard and distributed to promote a business like the sample above from The Adco Press. The telephone number for the Houston business at 2405 Hopkins at Fairview was JA6-1434, dating this fake handkerchief to 1960 or earlier.
Although the practice is not as common as it once was, some gentlemen still carry a white handkerchief. Those traditionalists can find an ample new supply on Amazon.com.
Around the farm, my dad always carried a navy blue dotted handkerchief in the back pocket of his jeans but traded it for a starched white hanky when he wore a suit.
These Hankies Won’t Do
Comfort is a prerequisite and the very best kerchiefs are very soft cotton. The older they are and the more times they had been laundered and ironed, the better. The handkerchiefs above still have their labels because the lace around their edges is scratchy and the cotton very stiff. They are for decoration only.
Antique Store Hanky Finds
If you are not lucky enough to have a handkerchief that belonged to a friend or family member, don’t fret. Check antique stores and you’ll find one that’s bound to suit you. Perhaps you’d like to own one for old times’ sake or a special touch of TLC?
My Favorite Handkerchief
My favorite handkerchief is one my mother carried in her purse whenever she left the farm, which wasn’t often. Softened from many trips through the wringer washing machine and days flapping on the clothesline in the sun, it has gentle scalloped edges and is embroidered with roses and tiny daisies. No wonder Mom chose it; she loved flowers.
“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson.
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Can I interest you in a little more nostalgia?
- Pink Ladies Packed a Vintage Cookbook with TLC - September 15, 2023
- “Don’t Forget Your Hanky” - August 18, 2023
- Want to Know a Secret? - July 10, 2023
Thanks for the memories. I remember having my nose wiped many times with my mother’s handkerchief. She always had it at the ready.
Yes, my mother always carried one, too. She never wore an apron that didn’t have a pocket for her hanky. Sweet, sweet reminisces.
I have my mother’s handkerchiefs — some of them have shamrocks!! Yes she was Irish.
Thanks for the great stories. Hope all is well.
Oh, yes, I can see little green shamrocks in the corners of some old handkerchiefs. What a precious keepsake!
I still would NEVER leave the house without a handkerchief although I no longer wear one in the breast pocket of my jackets. One of the things I treasure is a set of my father’s handkerchiefs which have his initial embroidered in the corner. He passed away in 1991 and I brought them back to Canada with me. I do use some of them, but a couple are retained in their original state.
So glad to hear that a handkerchief is still an important part of your apparel, Malcolm! No doubt having some of your father’s brings back warm memories of him. I’m very glad you have them to treasure.
I also always carry a plain white handkerchief. My dad also had some initialed hankies, but my favorite is the olive drab handkerchief that he was issued in WWII. It is now in the Texas Heroes Museum.
I’m impressed that the Texas Heroes Museum in La Grange pays so much attention to detail that an olive drab hanky from World War II is on display. I will look for it next time I visit.
https://www.texasheroesmuseum.com/
Trading hankies for kleenex is sad…like trading hand-written notes for e-mail. But they DID have to be ironed once they had been washed and we modern (??) women do hate the ironing board and its iron! I’ve never seen a polyester hanky!
You’re right about ironing. It’s not a task we look forward to. A polyester hanky just wouldn’t be the same, would it? Cotton fabric rules!
I can’t imagine why I still have a number of handkerchiefs in the top drawer of my dresser. But I do. A couple date back to high school days. And a couple are brand new, never used. Probably never will be. I wish I were “natty” enough to sport pocket squares, but I’m afraid that ship long ago sailed without me.
Larry, thanks for giving us your perspective on handkerchiefs. Since you haven’t parted with them, they’re kind of a neat keepsake. By the way, three others gentleman emailed me with comments about their handkerchiefs. They’re still using them and proud of it!
Thanks so much for the memories, Elaine! I have a treasured collection of beautiful hankies that my Grandmother and Great Grandmother adorned with embroidery. My husband still uses a fresh white handkerchief every day, while I’ve converted to tissues for everyday use.
It’s lovely to be reminded of special people in our lives like our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Glad to hear that the use of a handkerchief is still a practice for your husband. Tell him he’s not alone. I was pleased to get lots of email comments from other gentlemen who don’t like carrying tissues!
Before she died, my Great-aunt Hazel gave me one of her beautiful lace edged handkerchiefs for my daughter’s something old when she gets married. Your story made me think of my wonderful Great-aunt Hazel and how thoughtful she was.
What a sweet memory you have shared, Julia. Thank you. It’s pleasant to be reminded of those we have loved.
When it was my turn to iron as one of the weekly chores, I would always go through a mountain of clothes and pick out the hankies to start with. So much easier than my father’s shirts. Thanks for the memory Elaine.
In my mind’s eye, Janine, I can see you lifting the more tedious items that you had to iron out of the way so you could get in ‘the zone’ with the handkerchiefs. Mom’s laundry basket was wicker. It’s the only one I ever remember her having.
This definitely reminded me of growing up , with, handkerchiefs! We ALWAYS had them.
Thank you for always, the wonderful memories Elaine. :))
Happy the handkerchief post reminded you of a practice that was common in your family when you were growing up!
Maybe Canadians will be soon be using handkerchiefs again. We just found out that Kleenex will not be supplying facial tissues in Canada 🇨🇦 in the future. Guess everyone will be stocking up a supply.
What a strange and unexpected announcement. Remember when Kleenex dominated the market and that’s the way we asked for a tissue? “Hand me a Kleenex, please.” Inquiring minds want to know: why is Kleenex leaving the Canadian marketplace?