I read an autobiography entitled 'The girl from Hockley' in which the main character refers to a type of undergarment known as her 'combs', what type of clothing was this?
2007-01-25 10:05:22 · 3 answers · asked by dora 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
combs or comms is short for combination underwear. Here's a link with a pic and some text
http://www.manchestergalleries.org/our-other-venues/platt-hall-gallery-of-costume/the-collection/collection-themes/narrative.php?themeback=1&CostumeTheme=Underwear&irn=130
2007-01-25 10:23:29 · answer #1 · answered by John B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Combs, short for combinations. This was an under garment, usually made out of a heavy flannelet material, It was like a long sleeved collar-less top with buttons from the chest to the neck. The lower half of the `top` was attached to the top and looked like long-johns. For men they buttoned from the front down and under the groin with an open flap at the back, to enable the man to go to the toilet. I suppose they were very warm, but also unhygienic as they would be difficult to wash and dry.
2007-01-25 13:01:38 · answer #2 · answered by Social Science Lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not pronouced combs as in hair combs but is pronounced comms. It's short for combinations; a sort of all in one undergarment. The link below will give you an idea of what it looked like.
2007-01-25 10:24:13 · answer #3 · answered by leekier 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋