In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, handkerchiefs were both practical necessities and refined fashion statements. Typically made from fine cotton, linen, or silk, they were often delicately embroidered or edged with lace. Carried in reticules or tucked into sleeves, these small squares of fabric served hygienic purposes but also conveyed subtle messages in the language of etiquette and flirtation. A lady’s handkerchief might be monogrammed, perfumed, or even gifted as a token of affection - an elegant accessory woven with sentiment and social grace.