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Mary Poppins’ Carpetbag Reveals More Than She Does
In the original 1934 novel, Mary Poppins’ seemingly empty carpetbag produces ordinary belongings, peculiar medicine and an entire bed. Her possessions reveal far more than she is willing to explain.
The Latest
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Gargoyles vs Grotesques: Only One of Them Was Doing the Plumbing
The difference between gargoyles and grotesques begins with rainwater. What…
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The surprisingly complicated business of carrying an umbrella
Umbrellas have attracted mockery, elaborate pavement manners and a Shropshire…
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Clothing Patterns Explained: What’s Woven and What’s Printed?
What makes gingham different from Tattersall? How does herringbone get…
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What a Hallmark Actually Tells You About Second-Hand Jewellery
A tiny stamp can look wonderfully official without proving very…
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Why Bonfire Smoke Sticks to Clothes — and How to Get It Out
Bonfire smoke can linger in clothes long after the fire…
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How to Judge Second-Hand Leather Gloves by the Parts Nobody Names
Most second-hand glove advice stops at checking the leather and…
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The Shirt Collar Used to Need Its Own Box
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Detachable shirt collars once had their own boxes, studs and laundry routine. The system is clever, surprisingly modular and absolutely more administration than I want before work.
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How to Buy Second-Hand Shoes — and When Not To
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Second-hand shoes can be repaired surprisingly far, but repairable does not automatically mean worth buying. I went looking at worn soles, interiors and flex lines — and came home in the shoes I already owned.
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Supporting Clothes Don’t Have to Be Boring
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A loud shirt does not automatically need quiet clothes around it. I tried one of my Edinburgh finds with different trousers, jackets, shoes and accessories to work out what actually makes the outfit cohere.
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When Is a Split Coat Lining Actually Worth Repairing?
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A practical guide to repairing an open seam in a coat lining, including how to identify failed stitching, when the fabric is too damaged to stitch directly, and how to close the seam neatly by hand.
