The traditional outer garment of English women was a red cloak - as worn by little red riding hood. Welsh women wore a red shawl - French invaders mistook them for the red coats of soldiers and decided not to invade that day.

In 'The Railway children' the girls had red petticoats which they used to signal to the train driver that there was danger.

In Preverbs 31 the good wife clothes her household in scarlet, and herself in purple, though if it was Imperial purple the colour is what we would call crimson these days.

I believe that cloth dyed with red madder causes a sensation of warmth when it touches the skin as it is slightly irritating.

I recall seeing some early colour photos of Irish women who wore red garments - very striking.

Anne Croucher.