Questions about Working Clothes

Reference code: FOL.QUES/31
Level of description: Series
Title: Questions about Working Clothes
Scope and content: In answering the following questions, please indicate whether the things described are still in use or, if this is no longer the case, when they went out of use.
1. Do people in your area wear special clothes for work? (If particular clothes are used by those following particular occupations, please specify these.)
2. Are they worn over normal clothes or instead of them?
3. Do working clothes consist of:
(a) cast-off normal dress?
or (b) a complete set of garments of special cut, fabric and colour? (If the latter, please describe them)
4. (a) Is there a difference between winter and summer working apparel?
(b) Is there a special set of clothes of a different fabric, or are some items left off in hotter weather?
5. Do different grades in the same occupation (e.g. apprentices, skilled men, foremen, etc.) have different clothes? If so, please describe the differences.
6. Who provides the clothes (i.e. worker or employer) in the case of those not self-employed?
7. Are working clothes homemade or bought?
If home-made, what materials are used?
8. Are clothes used for work always suitable for the job?
9. Is any special protective clothing worn in addition?
If so, where is it worn?
What part of the body does it protect?
What materials is it made from?
10. Have any of the garments special names? List as many as you can (overleaf if necessary). Do you have any idea where the names came from?
11. Do you know any trades that once had but no longer have a uniform type of dress?
If so, to what would you attribute the decline of its use?
12. Please describe any changes which you can in working clothes and list any trades having a uniform type of dress (continue overleaf if necessary).