Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Reticules are all very well but you have to put them down - Chris explains just how easy it is to make these invisible but really useful additions to a ladies wardrobe.
Very knowledgeable historic clothing experts advise us that by the Regency period, pockets were mostly out of use, having been replaced in function by the Reticule (originally called Ridicule because it was initially thought ridiculous for a lady to walk around holding her pocket rather than having it concealed). This was because the closer fitting dresses of the Empire line would not allow for the bulk of the pockets to be concealed.
However, Rum Bluffers believe that with the advent of small mobile phones and personal items, the pocket (which has an historical heritage) may have an invisible place for ladies in the modern ballroom so that they no longer have to worry about where they have left their reticules. It will depend on the style of the ball gown - the fall front style having a side slit allowing access without having to hitch up skirts in an unseemly manner! They certainly worked for Ros recently.
Reticules are all very well but you have to put them down - Chris explains just how easy it is to make these invisible but really useful additions to a ladies wardrobe.
Very knowledgeable historic clothing experts advise us that by the Regency period, pockets were mostly out of use, having been replaced in function by the Reticule (originally called Ridicule because it was initially thought ridiculous for a lady to walk around holding her pocket rather than having it concealed). This was because the closer fitting dresses of the Empire line would not allow for the bulk of the pockets to be concealed.
However, Rum Bluffers believe that with the advent of small mobile phones and personal items, the pocket (which has an historical heritage) may have an invisible place for ladies in the modern ballroom so that they no longer have to worry about where they have left their reticules. It will depend on the style of the ball gown - the fall front style having a side slit allowing access without having to hitch up skirts in an unseemly manner! They certainly worked for Ros recently.
