Back to television... I really don't think TV is as good as it used to be. I have a select few shows that I love to watch, and beyond that, forget it. A coworker and I were just discussing this morning how we missed Westerns and the Carol Burnett Show. There's nothing like that being made now.

Seems like script writing has gone completely to hell, although I think "West Wing" is one of the best-written shows on now.

and Clint, when everybody stinks, nobody cares. ;-)

That's why undergarments of the past were almost full-body, and white. They protected your clothes from you. White fabric was the least expensive, and the most easily washed. It could be boiled without any ill effects. And like Alex said, collars and cuffs were detachable for easy washing. 'Course, men had paper collars at one point, which were disposable. But I can't see having paper around the neck. Too stiff.

Dresses during the mid 19th century (which is the kind of dresses I make) commonly had a hem tape at the bottom, usually of wool. This kept the hem from wearing out and also kept dew from drenching the bottom of the skirt. When the hem tape got worn, it was replaced. If one wore the same dress long enough, the skirt might be taken off, turned upside-down, and reattached (if the print on the fabric would allow for such).

Garments that were too worn for Ma & Pa to wear would have the remaining good parts salvaged, and turned into children's clothes, or quilt pieces, or something else useful.

And you thought recycling was a new thing...