The Matchgirls worked hard, and played hard and they loved to dress up for a hard earned night out.

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“They buy their clothes and feathers (especially the latter) by forming clubs; seven or eight of them will join together paying a shilling a week each, and drawing lots to decide who shall have the money each week.”

Clara Collet 1886

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“. . . the hat, with its three, in many cases, four long ostrich feathers of a brilliant red or royal blue shade . . ”

Allan Rowntree 1888

 

“They have fashions of their own; they delight in a quantity of colour; and they can no more live without their large hats and huge feathers than 'Arry can live without his bell-bottom trousers.”

Montagu Williams 1894