Joanna here: Most of us have a picture of what a historical housemaid should look like.
She'll wear black with a crisp white apron pinned to her bodice and a little cap on her head. A Downton Abbey maid; an Upstairs Downstairs maid; a Victorian or Edwardian maid. And for Victorian era maids, this is an accurate picture.
The maid would buy her own clothing, with the type and style stipulated by the mistress.
A housemaid's dress is of some importance. When engaged in her morning work, washable materials are the best; a wide holland apron should always be worn over [an apron] of white material whenever house-cleaning is going on. If the servant be required to appear at the front door, or wait upon the family whilst at dirty work, by casting aside the outer apron she is able to appear at a moment's notice in a presentable manner. For afternoon wear in the winter, very dark or black French twill dresses are suitable, inexpensive, and easily washed. In the summer light cotton materials look best. At all seasons a neat white crochet cap is the best head-gear.
Cassells Household Guide, c.1880s
Where heavy work was required, the maid would try to get that done in the morning and change to better and cleaner clothing after the worst of it. This is not just for neatness sake. The maid is representing the household.
If the parlour-maid answers the door, she should be neatly attired, and ready at a moment's notice to present herself creditably before strangers. A servant of good address at a professional man's door, is as much a matter of personal recommendation of the employer as the situation of his residence. Some amount of forethought on the part of the mistress is necessary to ensure cleanly appearance in a door-servant; but the attempt is worth making, if only for the sake of favourable first impressions on the part of strangers.
Cassells Household Guide
One purpose of the Victorian maid's clothing is to establish her position in the social hierarchy. The servant's clothing is this era is a sort of uniform that show she is a servant. How embarrassing for all concerned if she were unmistaken for a lady of the house or a guest.
Thus the lady's maid, even when she has the perquisite of cast-off dresses, would not wear them going about her duties. If she wears them on her day off, she'd best nip out of the house smart and not be seen. "As a general rule, ladies do not like to see their maids dressed in the clothes they themselves have worn - except in wearing a black or a dark-coloured silk - the difference in the social scale of mistress and maid renders this unpleasing." Cassells Household Guide
Taking just a moment to talk about the nanny's clothing.
This is more likely to be light colored and easily washable, with black saved for 'best' when she brought the children out to meet guests and the family after dinner.
The dress of a nurse needs some words of comment. Long skirts should not be worn, tripping little children up, as they are liable to do. Gowns made of washable materials are most suitable. These are easily cleansed if soiled by nursery duties, and cost but little to renew. A waterproof apron worn under the ordinary white apron will be found a great comfort to a nurse, and might be supplied with advantage at the cost of the employer. Every nurse should also be furnished with a long, loose, warm wrapper, made like a dressing-gown, for night wear, when her duties require her to rise from her bed to take a baby to and from the mother's room. This garment should be purchased by the mistress, and kept for the use of any nurse who may succeed to the situation.
Cassells Household Guide
But what about the Regency?
Moving a couple generations back in time and looking at the clothing of a Georgian or Regency maidservant, we discover an entirely different situation. In 1760 or 1800, a maidservant wore essentially the same clothing as others of her class. She wasn't required to buy special clothing to suit her job.
Perhaps the maid dressed better than her cousins back home because she might have access to her mistress' castoffs. Contemporary journals and letters complain of maids wearing clothing unsuitable to their station and their work. But whether the maid wore her lady's silks to sashay about the parlor, dusting, or saved it for her day off, or thriftily sold it to the used clothing dealer, it must have presented a continual temptation to finery.
There was no distinctive 'uniform' required for the Regency maid. No necessity for drab and black. No regimentation. When the maidservant opened the door to the Regency hero she was as likely to be wearing flowered muslin as black serge.
What about you? Have you ever had to wear a uniform? Was it good, reasonable, proper to wear one ... or just a pain in the neck?
Did it make you feel differently?
Do you treat people differently because they're wearing a uniform?
One lucky commenter wins a copy of one of my books, your choice.
Oh, yes, I've worn all sorts of waitress uniforms, in my college years. I worked at several of those ubiquitous New Jersey diners, the uniforms are usually black and white, or red and white. Either a pants suit, or a black dress with the little white apron. And always in polyester, ugh! I think I also had a hot pink uniform when I worked at Dunkin Donuts, back in the day when they had counter service. I can't say I liked the uniforms but I guess they made sense, and they were easy to wash and dry. I don't think it made me feel differently because after a little while you just become unaware of what you are wearing,and too busy to think about your clothes.
Actually Jo, I already own all of your books, so I'll bow out of the contest.
Posted by: Karin | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 02:38 AM
Presumably the maids in Regency time still tended to wear aprons to protect their clothes, and this helped to identify them?
When I had a Saturday job while I was at school, I worked in a shop which provided a uniform, a short-sleeved overall which fastened up the front with press-studs. You could either wear it over your own clothes or, when it was very hot, on its own. Unfortunately it was made of some artificial fabric which made it rather clammy (if easy to wash).
It did make me feel differently - I was very aware that I was a representative of my employer and had to behave accordingly.
It served the purpose of making us instantly identifiable to customers. Sometimes today I don't know who to ask for help in a shop! Recently I was looking for Pets at Home in a strange town and, not being able to find it, went into a Homebase. I approached someone in a uniform to ask him if he knew where P-at-H was: turned out he worked there and was in Homebase on his lunch break buying something!! At least he was able to give me good directions...
Posted by: HJ | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 02:53 AM
Yes, I was an RN. and some treated me well and some treated me not so well.
Posted by: Gram | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:14 AM
My working life was as an RN. I started when nurses wore white ---uniform,stockings,shoes and CAP. I did feel different while wearing those. Then, we moved into scrubs. I must say that I liked wearing these better. They are more comfortable, easier to care for and now, that I am retired, they are still useful when I am gardening or cleaning. I didn't feel different in these and I know that many patients do not like them because they did not always know who were nurses, who were aides, who were lab techs, etc.
Posted by: Alison | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 05:24 AM
interesting post, Joanna. I wore a uniform to school as a kid – most children do in Australia, whether they attend private of government schools. Some of my schoolfellows chafed at the uniform -- they thought it stifled their individuality -- but I quite liked not having to think of what to wear. And I don't think what you wear makes any difference to your individuality.
Even the teachers at my high school worse a kind of uniform -- a black academic gown -- not unlike the teachers in Harry Potter. They said it was warm in winter and protected their day clothes from the chalk.
Posted by: Anne Gracie | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 07:09 AM
I'm glad to say I have never in my whole life been required to wear a uniform. In my country (Austria) most schools don't have them, then for the college years I slouched around in jeans and sweat-shirts, and as a young professional I wore what felt at first like a disguise, but at least colour and cut was up to me.
The post about maid's clothes was very interesting, thank you. I have had maids and drivers when I worked overseas, and provided work clothes to them, but as I myself would hate having to wear a uniform, I never required my own household staff to wear any, either.
Posted by: Maria M. | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 08:21 AM
When I was in the Army I wore an uniform. It definitely made me stick out, particularly when I was overseas.
Posted by: Ella Quinn | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 11:31 AM
When I was a sailor I wore summer whites and winter blues.
When working as a theatre doorman, I had to wear a coat and tie.
Interesting post.
Posted by: Louis | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Hi Karin --
I had forgotten my waitress outfit.
I was going through uniforms in my head and could only think of the Girl Scouts. But yes. There were those almost forgotten years working my way through grad school.
It was --yes -- polyester and I think it was blue checks. Very unbecoming.
And they wanted us to wear hair nets.
I think I felt much as a Victorian maid would have felt, forced into Ugly Clothing.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:11 PM
Hi MJ.
You're absolutely right about the apron. The apron would set servant apart from mistress.
I think the maid might also have worn a more serviceable and less frilly, fanciful cap.
I am very glad to spot employees in some of the big box stores like WalMart or Best Buy. I look for the shirt.
It occurs to me that the uniform makes it impossible for the employee to just fade into the stacks ... However much they try to hide, I can find them.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:15 PM
Hi Gram --
One of my sisters is an RN. When she graduated and got her 'cap' she was so very proud of it.
I may have it wrong, but I think her school used the same kind of cap Florence Nightingale used for the women who became nurses under her.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:17 PM
Hi Alison --
I had noticed the move into scrubs and sort of wondered at it. Now I see why. The scrubs do look as if they'd be more comfortable to work in.
In my opinion, it's better to identify the nurses clearly. A hospital environment is one of those places you might need to know who's who, at once.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:20 PM
Hi Anne --
Your teachers wore academic gown. Wow. Just wow. That sounds tremendously cool.
It must establish authority. It says, "I'm wearing an academic down. Don't even think of messing with me."
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:23 PM
Hi Maria --
In my long and varied career I think I only once had my folks wearing uniforms.
These were my people doing manual labor. The uniform was a protective measure. Strong cloth. No bits to hang off and get caught on things. Steel toes on the boots.
Uniforms are for identification, as mentioned above. They're also for taking care of folks.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Ella Quinn --
I lived in a town with lots of army coming and going through.
Fascinating to be in a restaurant and see three or four men and women come in for lunch, all in desert camo, looking as if they're about to grab up their rifles and head out across the desert.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:43 PM
Hi Louis --
I do like sailor uniforms.
One of the things I learned, researching, was that sailor pants are wide at the bottom so you can roll them up and they don't get soaked by water on the deck.
I feel I have to share this, because it always kinda puzzled me
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 04:45 PM
Yes Ms Joanna, the legs are "straight"..to make it easier to roll up and put in your seabag. Mostly we wore "dungarees", simillar to Levi's. The uniforms were for off base and inspections.
Posted by: Louis | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 06:40 PM
Hi Louis --
>>Off base<<
Perhaps to keep everybody on their best behavior. *g*
Posted by: joanna bourne | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 06:49 PM
Yes - I am also Australian and wore a uniform from the day I started school until the day I left. Also, in secondary boarding school my teachers wore academic gowns as well. Now my son commented recently, he has spent most of his life in uniform - school, scouts, sports, army. Australia tends to be a bit like Britain, uniforms are common. And not too bad to wear and easy to maintain.
Posted by: Jenny | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 08:55 PM
Hallo, and good evening, Ms. Bourne,
I've been stopping by throughout the afternoon and evening, but this is my earliest moment to finally sit to post a reply! I appear to have come in mid-through the conversation, but I was thinking over the costumes of maids and below stairs servants ALL day due to the fact my family & I were watching Series 3 of Downton Abbey! We watched *6!* episodes in one day, and tonight, saw the gutting Christmas Special that still left me speechless and wrecked! :/ Ooh my! IF I hadn't bing'd afterwards to understand properly 'why' I think I might have felt ill to continue with Series 4 next year!
Gosford Park, Howard's End, The Remains of the Day, The Duchess of Duke Street {serial}, Downton Abbey {serial}, and others that fall under this category of period dramas, always fascinated me with the different stylings of the wardrobes! Art direction and costume design are two of my favourites to observe in motion picture, so I always have a keen eye out! :)
Whilst on the job one Halloween, we were allowed to wear our costumes in to work whilst on duty, and I went as a Commander in Starfleet! Pips and uniform shirt and all! I must confess the addition of make-up to play the character only enhanced it for me, and it was rather a unique experience because I felt a bit differently than I normally did because it felt like I was in proper uniform!
The interesting thing to relay is that the customers I served were rather chuffed a member of Starfleet had waited on them! Smiles all around and it was the best memory I have of that job! :)
I enjoyed the retrospective of maids and the clothing as it changed through the different eras!
Posted by: Jorie | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Thanks for the interesting post. I've had one job where I needed to wear a uniform. I actually liked wearing a uniform because I didn't need to think what to wear when I climbed out of bed in the mornings!
Posted by: Shelley Munro | Monday, July 22, 2013 at 11:00 PM
When I was first ordained a minister I wore shirts with clerical collars--I think I perceived that this would give me more "authority" (I was 27 and looked younger I'm sure). That didn't last long as it seemed too formal for my environment here in the casual Pacific Northwest--and talk about a "pain in the neck"!
I do, though, still have (and use) a Geneva gown (black robe) for preaching. The purpose of wearing it is to focus the congregation's attention on the substance of the sermon and not on the attire of the preacher. . . though people being people, the pastor's earrings and shoes then become fair game for comment.
Posted by: RevMelinda | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 08:42 AM
The only time I was required to wear any type of uniform was my first job after Mr Wonderful went to younger pastures. I worked as the train conductor at Santa's workshop at a busy mall. I was required to wear blue and white striped bib overalls by Oshkosh, a blue and white striped engineer's cap, and a white long sleeved shirt. I always thought I looked like an older taller toddler. But, it was OK, cause I enjoyed putting the children on the train and watching them smile.
Posted by: Annette | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 09:18 AM
Hi Jenny --
I can't get over the academic gowns for teachers. I had no idea.
It feels so steeped in tradition.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Hi Jorie --
I have a feeling that we become different when we wear different clothes -- just a little. I wonder how many of the maids wearing those black uniforms and starched cuffs felt they were acting a part.
Maybe a life 'in service' was a bit of that -- playing the maid, playing the mistress. Folks found a way to keep a comfortable distance in a relationship that might have been too intimate.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Hi Shelley --
That's another great example of why uniforms exist. A school uniform frees everybody from the dread 'What am I going to wear?'
And nobody has to say, "You just turn around and march yourself upstairs, young lady. You are not wearing that to school."
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Hi RevMelinda --
I had not thought about how a plain black gown would allow the speaker to concentrate on the material presented, rather than on the speaker.
This might be why they're used for teaching. Interesting.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:25 AM
I always wondered if those ladies maids sold some of those dress for money.
Posted by: CateS | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Hi CateS --
They did indeed sell the dress and the fabrics for money. Discarded dresses, bonnets, mantles, and so on were the maid's perquisites.
Some she might keep for her own use, the rest she would sell to dealers in used clothing.
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 01:31 PM
Interesting post. I always assumed Regency maids had uniforms similar to those in Victorian times.
I never had to wear a uniform even in school, and at the time I thought I had escaped a Bad Thing. My daughters, on the other hand, wore uniforms for school, and through them I gained a great appreciation for the fact that with a uniform you never have to stand and stare at the closet wondering what to wear. It makes life a lot easier!
Posted by: Elaine K | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 07:19 PM
Hi Elaine --
To me, the lack of a maid's 'uniform' changes my mental picture of a lot of scenes. When the young girl in a Regency is talking to her maid or having her hair put up for a ball, the maid is going to be fairly smartly turned out, a credit to her profession.
Interesting, eh?
Yes. School uniforms -- a great timesaver and simplicity.
(But then, when you're grown up and head out into the great world there are so many sartorial mistakes you didn't make when you were thirteen and must now make at nineteen.)
Posted by: joanna bourne | Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 07:55 PM