Posted by Robert Dilley on August 16, 2002 at 15:50:20 from 209.90.131.18 user rdilley.
Further to the earlier discussion about the wearing of ties: I am just reading extracts from Mayhew's massive "London Life and London Poor" (not sure without checking if that is the exact title). Anyway, in the accompanying illustrations it is notable how many of the otherwise scruffy and dirty costermongers, market porters, street sellers etc are wearing jackets and ties -- some the high collar with cravat; others the more modern necktie. Hardly an open collar to be seen!