How did the Victorians stay cool in the summer?

Comments · 240

• JB

  @JB-gj8pu · 2 months ago

  It probably also helped that cities had less of a "heat island" effect caused by asphalt and concrete.  Less thermal mass meant that it was likely only hot for a couple hours around noon instead of all day like it is in modern cities.  I am sure that they wore less clothes in tropical areas where it was more consistently hot.

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• CR

  @crisvgrwm · 2 months ago

  This feels like heaven. I’m in Italy, BURNING ALIVE without any air conditioning, so I’ll probably try some of these tricks (sadly, without my Victorian gowns).

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• JA

  @jakecavendish3470 · 2 months ago

  As someone who has worn men's Victorian clothing in the summer I can confirm they were absolutely boiling

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• CO

  @conradmcdougall3629 · 2 months ago

  I'm glad to see the channel growing. It gives me hope in humanity to see that there are still intelligent people out there who like history.

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• MA

  @mandaout2427 · 2 months ago

  Watching this as I am freezing in the southern hemisphere. I had blue fingers and lips all day at work today, currently cuddled up with 2 hot water bottles. <br><br>Still, I&apos;d much rather be cold than hot

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• CO

  @coffeetailor · 2 months ago

  The fabric weave bit makes so much sense. My single most comfortable piece of clothing, winter or summer, is a medieval style shift I made for a Ren faire and then started using as a house dress. It&apos;s made out of something called bubble gauze and has a really loose weave.

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• BA

  @baydreamer01 · 2 months ago (edited)

  Agree! Linen, in particular, allows cool air flow between skin and the fabric. Studies have been done on this and found that skin remains several degrees cooler when covered in linen, silk or cotton. Exposing skin to direct scorching sun rays just makes you hotter. Look how indigenous people who live in hot deserts dress; completely covered in natural fabric. Houses were also built to accommodate the lack of artificial cooling. I know because I live in one. Having trees also naturally cools the air surrounding your home. &nbsp;😊

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• ME

  @MegaThucydides · 1 month ago

  Natural fibers and open weaves only help to an extent. When it&apos;s truly hot, the layers and heavy fabrics of the time were stiffling. I say they either got used to that, or were sweaty messes more than we can imagine

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• MR

  @mr1est · 1 month ago

  I think there is one thing we tend to forget : heat waves, except in rare cases, were drasticaly different from what they are now. With the climate changing and becoming hotter every year, it is not far-fetched I think to say that a 40°C + heat wave would have been harmful to anyone at the time, as much as it is today.

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• PE

  @perle356 · 2 months ago (edited)

  According to french ladies&apos; home economic textbooks from the period, people would not have worn silk in summer, as it is considered one of the fabric that retains the most heat. <br>You would have worn linen or hemp, depending on where you live. In the 19th century, cotton was becoming more and more affordable, so it became more widespread even though it wasn&apos;t recommended for summers unless you were an infant, an elderly or sick because it retained more energy than linen and hemp.<br>I believe that the UK and the US had and easier access to cotton though, thanks to different geopolotical context

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• DO

  @dot8605 · 2 months ago

  Isabella from the priorattire channel made a great video addressing this problem. She demonstrates perfectly why the people in the victorian era survived with all that layers. She is a historic interpreter and professional tailor for historic clothing. I recommend watching her channel if you are interested in historic fashion and how it worked.

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• LE

  @Lellynana · 2 months ago

  As someone who covers up during summer I absolutely agree that it helps. a long lose skirt, a loose fitting kimono, and an old fashioned paper fan is my go-to when it gets hot and it&apos;s an absolute lifesaver

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