The Real Mrs Crocombe | Part Four: A Victorian Cook's Outfit

📖Order your copy of Mrs Crocombe’s cookery book here: bit.ly/2RPyrvQ 📖
Join historian Dr Annie Gray as she takes you through the components of the outfit worn by a Victorian cook such as Avis Crocombe. From the all-important corset to a delicate pleated cap, go behind the scenes of The Victorian Way to see how the outfit is recreated by modern day historical interpreters at Audley End House.
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[@brooklynninetyninthprecint]

We all started from *How to make thyme butter- The Victorian way*

[@sarahj5161]

how did you know? but yep- that's the first video I watched

[@mazlindaburhan745]

Yes, me too.

[@ChizuruAotsuki]

Look...when did you get a look at my history??

[@karima_MK]

Bushra Khan indeed

[@maiju5889]

How did you know?

[@murtazalehri]

Mrs. Crocombe wouldn't have ever realised she'd be such a celebrity in the 21st century!

[@BreeBenesh]

Anything "Mrs. Crocombe" is an immediate click for me.

[@annzak4905]

Bree Benesh ME TOO

[@krisscheen1708]

True

[@khali122]

Totally!

[@None.of.ya.business666]

Absolutely! I wonder what the real Mrs. Crocombe would've said, had she known that she'd be a well-loved figure on KZbin 150 years later - and people around the world would not only enjoy her cooking, but even care about the construction of her underpinnings. Let's hope that Heaven does exist - as a place where Mrs. Crocombe's excellent chocolate pudding grows out of fluffy white clouds... ;-)

[@ceciliaspears161]

Same here!

[@Knappa22]

My grandmother was a parlour maid in London in the early 20th century. She wore her own print gowns in the morning when she did the housework tasks like vacuuming (yes even back then!) and doing the beds. However at luncheon and dinner she, with the footmen, served the meals to the family, and for that she had to change into a black dress, white lap apron, and a white lace cap in the tiara style which was secured with black ribbon. My mother still has this uniform kept in tissue paper - perhaps we should think about donating it?

[@NobodyInParticular45]

If you do donate it, make sure it goes to a museum or other historical preservation (like the manor featured in this channel). They'd probably be happy to have it, or they can at least direct you to somewhere that would be.

[@vishVishnupriya]

Woow it's interesting. Cab u pls make video on it?

[@Bane_Amesta]

You can also try to make a reproduction of that uniform, it would be super interesting

[@erinenewton4888]

Thats soo beautiful. My Family fled Gremany after WW2. They came to the states and settled mostly in Arkansas NY but a few came to live in the quaint village I live in now Silver Creek NY just south of the town of Dunkirk. We still have my Grandfathers Nazi uniform From when he was a nurse on Nazi Naval ship. As well as a couple pictures and his journal. We to are thinking of donating his belonglings to a museum.

[@kousetsuhana]

"The various Avis Crocombes"?? How very dare she, there is only one Mrs Avis Crocombe and it's our dearest, who happens to share a face with Kathy Hipperson!! :)

[@danrose7078]

We stan a legend.

[@cactusc9519]

not saying a time lord, but......

[@culbycove4963]

The caption reads ‘Ava scrotums’ on that part lol

[@Adlerjunges83]

True. True.

[@sofiaxcosmo894]

Dang even dresses back then had pockets but they don't now.

[@OofusTwillip]

It only has a pocket because Mrs. Crocombe had the status and ability to add one herself. Lower-ranking servants' dresses didn't have pockets. It's fairly easy to add a pocket to a dress. I've done it myself, many times.

[@allisonmcdonough1]

Pockets in dresses is almost a luxury now lol

[@SAnn-rf3oz]

Need to carry those scissors and your short stick somehow.😂😂😂😂🍀

[@frogsfoot]

it was considered a failure on the seamstress' part if a dress had no pockets!

[@justabitofamug6989]

It's evolving, just backwards

[@rickalkhatib8201]

I love that they've created a character and then used her as a branching point to teach about all different aspects. It really brings it all to life.

[@beth12svist]

Actually she was a real historical person. Her handwritten notebook has been returned to Audley End House by a descendant, and some of the recipe videos draw on that - it's in another of these Real Mrs Crocombe videos.

[@suzisaintjames]

You didn't mention the practical reason for a modest diameter size of the cooks dress. It was to keep it out of the fires. I heard that for women, death by fire was the number 2 reason. ❤🌅🌵

[@roninelenion4805]

Suzi SaintJames Goodness!😲

[@EnglishHeritage]

That's right Suzi, fire was also a danger if wearing a crinoline in the kitchens!

[@blakelanders6966]

What was the number one reason?

[@roninelenion4805]

Blake Mills Probably disease.

[@MsSongsSinger]

could be drowning; clothing very heavy and water-absorbant

[@ValidStranger]

I just binge watched 3 hours worth of these videos

[@xMugiwara04]

sameee

[@jeanniesaenz8057]

I just started watching.So interesting.Walking into the past during modern day

[@gayathtriproductions9444]

Me too

[@angelinafinn1355]

There so interesting

[@kxtherinepowell8225]

ME

[@Thanatoastt]

I used to work a lot of food service jobs and I always had a towel tucked into my apron string like that! When i switched to a different job that still required aprons but no towels, I felt naked without it. I've always been interested in domestic servants, could we have an episode on what the maids would wear? Its interesting how small changes in clothing could show your status in a house. We still have similar standards where upper management will have different colored uniform shirts compared to the rest of us on register. From all the jobs I've worked, it feels like customer service is a little similar to domesticated servants. It makes up a large section of the countries workforce and status is projected outwardly in most places. Of course, we have weekends while most domestic servants back then only had a single day off a month (from what I've heard)

[@AnotherTruth]

I really appreciate this world through Mrs. Crocombe's utilitarian wardrobe. I would have found wearing her dresses as a daunting experience, every time. However, I see the practical and social necessity of it, for the times. The linen kitchen towel, is indeed, a necessity all on its own. (i have several through my own kitchen for much of the same thrills and spills!) Thank you, for another great video! VERY informative!

[@LordofFullmetal]

Chefs still do the cloth thing today. It's pretty customary to hook a cloth through your belt loop - not just for spills, but because a lot of the stuff you're touching is hot and you don't want to burn yourself.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Although I appreciate the simplicity of today's women's wardrobes, I miss petticoats! I grew up in the 50s and loved my full-circle "poodle" skirt (mine had a pony on it, actually) buoyed up with a frilly petticoat underneath.

[@victoriarajput6911]

Jeanette Waverly but it might be so uncomfortable to wear that many layers especially in summer

[@FlowerEmblem]

Jeanette Waverly Though the style is quite niche and out there (like how goth is also niche) I encourage you to look up lolita fashion, which uses petticoats heavily. It's an alternative fashion originating in Japan but inspired by girls' clothing I believe from the Victorian and Rococo periods, and a small but growing international fanbase. The dresses can have the most gorgeous designs and prints. I myself have a few dresses that I wear occasionally, and love having that extra poof!

[@foxsisters6257]

Victoria Rajput and ya know...global warming

[@ZimVader-0017]

If made with breathable fabrics like light cotton, it wouldn't be uncomfortable at all during the summer. I live in the tropics, and according to records of the time, women used lightweight cotton dresses.

[@thequeenofsnakes5225]

Petticoats haven't gone out of style!! At least where I am, I wear tons of a-line dresses and wear petticoats underneath. Sometimes a corset when I want to If you can rock something, do it!! don't wait for everyone else to start a trend before you. Be your own person

[@matesafranka6110]

Are you planning to publish Mrs. Crocombe's cookbook? (or have you already done so and I just missed it in your webshop?) I would absolutely love a facsimile, but a transcript would be just fine as well :)

[@ricorori]

I would also love Mrs. Crocombe's cookbook!

[@shirleywithers7413]

I also would love the cookbook also thank you

[@karennelson4439]

Would like that n Mrs. CROCOMBE On DVD.

[@Saskatchetooner]

It was made

[@lantanaverbena]

Everybody loves Mrs Crocombe, and rightfully so :)

[@imperialphoenix]

Thank you Dr. Gray for this wonderful look at the outfit we see our beloved Mrs. Crocombe in! It's very practical! I do hope it was cool during the summer in a kitchen!

[@twaght]

imperialphoenix I'm guessing you have never worked in a kitchen

[@jockegiirl8605]

@@twaght no, most of us choose more useful careers in societey

[@twaght]

Jockegiirl ❶ useful eh? Without cooks you wouldn't enjoy basically anything you eat... no recipes, no creativity, just eating wild berries and mud okay

[@jockegiirl8605]

@@twaght if you think humans are that stupid, you should go back to school. cooks isnt needed to write down recipe, i use my mothers recipe on certain foods and shes not a cook. it can go down through generations, or you use the creativity you have and cook something random

[@kitsumekat]

@@twaght I did and compared to jackets I worn, that's pretty practical.

[@SpiralBreeze]

Can we please, please please, get an interview with the woman who plays her?! Like how did she get into historical acting?

[@torquemonster290]

Spiral Breeze I think they have already did one with her, the request was so great that the organization just figured ”well, no need for the curtains anymore!” And gave the audience what they’ve desired

[@frogsfoot]

if you're still interested, bernadette banner just did one with kathy!

[@bobknob5819]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5fIp32AoqZ8fqc

[@dissodatore]

another plus to having clothing that fastens with ties is that if your shape changes, for whatever reason, it is easy to adjust.

[@tanjapetties9965]

Im not well known to English Hetitage.. Learning British customs from this heir of British history is educational. Thsnk you English Heritage

[@carmenpeters728]

The crinoline is highly flammable, hence the reason why they are not allowed in the kitchen.

[@watson483]

I once forgot to put my shoes on before my corset I was wearing for a dance, and had to get my wonderful friend to lace them up for me. He was real good about it too. Had a large skirt on and he had to almost crawl under hehe. I also had to help a friend out of her shoes at her wedding, she had a jumping castle, but was wearing a large dress and corset so I dove on under there and take them off.

[@kitdubhran2968]

It was actually super common for women’s skirts to have pockets. Many extant garments have them (skirts and gowns both). And a contemporary dressmaking guide said you couldn’t be without pockets. 😂 I happen to agree.

[@SandyzSerious]

I love this channel.

[@minastirith997]

SandyzSerious who doesn’t?

[@unrulycrow6299]

It's amazing to consider this sort of outfit practical, especially by our current standards. Heck, it's Summer and getting dressed has never been so easy for me: underwears, a shirt, an overall, simple shoes I don't even need to tie, and I'm ready to go! And while my short hair doesn't need to be tied into a bun (I don't even bother styling it most of the time, it's a curly bob perfectly cut by my trustworthy hairdresser), I may take 5 minutes to put some makeup on (a steady hand and efficient use of beauty products can considerably shorten the time required to put makeup)... And I'm ready. My look would be _extremely_ scandalous by the standards of the 19th century though hahaha but we ladies are lucky we don't have to wear a corset anymore!

[@twaght]

Unruly Crow It's funny how back then women HAD to, now women WANT to and they call them waist trainers instead of corsets.

[@None.of.ya.business666]

Well, I guess that some women in the 1800s also wanted to wear one, with the corset serving as a breast and back support. (Some women, for example Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also were obsessed to have the tiniest waist possible...) They would've felt naked without "proper" (i. e. boned) underwear, and as they started wearing corsets at a very young age, their bodies would've adapted to being laced all day - for example it's quite possible that their back muscles were weakened, as the corset held everything in place - in that case, not wearing a corset would've been quite painful.

[@twaght]

Noneofya Business Of course many, if not most women during those times wanted these items! But I am just speaking socially, it was essentially required then, which led to the fashion revolutions we started to see towards the end of the 19th and into the 20th century of masculine inspired or very loose fitting chemise style garments worn now as outerwear. (I study fashion) nowadays we want to wear these things again, despite screaming how these were sexist and oppressive and damaging. But hey, repackage it as "waist training" and make it an "exercise/diet" tool and bam, corset industry is back.

[@None.of.ya.business666]

Hm... I have a collection of corsets, yet don't see them as waist trainer or something, just a beautiful clothing item, and great for visiting the Rocky Horror Show or Steampunk fairs... ;-) But, admittedly, I'm quite glad I am not forced to wear them all the time, they're certainly different from a comfortable hoodie. Yes, I agree, views do change. To me it's funny that there are so many different opinions on what is "sexist" or "oppressive" which will probably never come together. Some people view revealing clothing as sexist, as it is objectifying women - or even blaming them to provoke rape etc. Others view modest fashion as sexist, preventing women from expressing themselves and embracing their beautiful bodies. And there seems to be barely andy middle ground. Well - *shrugs* Each to their own, I guess.

[@MorganChaos]

I'd argue that the people who think they were sexist and oppressive and damaging (and not just a fact of life and fashion) probably are mostly not the same people who wear waist trainers today. The people I know tend to fall into one of two categories: corsets were terrible and modern corsetry sets women back 100 years; or corsets were a morally neutral fact of life and modern corsetry is pretty. (Not saying there isn't some hypocrisy; a lot of the first group will happily wear spanx.)

[@mybusylife2158]

Everything with Mrs. Crocombe is amazing. I love the way she is portrayed in the series and I love all the background information.

[@kushagraverma6456]

I can watch Mrs.Crocombe cook , the whole day. i want a netflix series of Mrs. Crocombe cooking different victorian recipes. i love her acting(kathy hipperson) and i love to watch about history and how people used to live.

[@noneofyourbee-siness]

Experiencing history is so beautiful 😍

[@ShawnSpencerPsychMan]

As a Historical Interpreter myself, I love these videos. I work at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI, USA. I think a collab between English Heritage and The Henry Ford would be amazing! We do represent the same time period (1800s)! What do you think?

[@bazooka-sharks-parker]

I know an interview with her would be exciting but again i love the mystery behind her and the authenticity and time traveler feel like

[@Hana-dj6qh]

Mannequin: "who you callin pinhead"

[@LigeiaNoire]

Precious information. I am one of those that enjoys the time of getting dressed and occasionally wears corsets. My hair is probably a little longer than Avis and it does not take me more than 20 minutes to get ready. However, I do like to take my time on the weekends, all the different layers.... It is relaxing, a hobby. Art and clothing, are probably the biggest things I cherish from bygone times, not their very hard life. Worked as a maid and hotel cleaning crew in the past and it is one of the hardest jobs you can have, cannot imagine in those times, with the English dreary weather to top it all...

[@helenanilsson5666]

Another benefit of fastening your clothes by tying strings instead of using buttons or hooks is that string is more adjustable. That way you can keep using the same clothes even if you change a size or two.

[@Lola-qu3ob]

Love all these videos. They are the perfect balance of education and entertainment! I must say it strikes such a discordant note to see the modern women standing beside the Victorian mannequin. Such a difference.

[@Inevitable.Change]

Live for these kind of videos. Thanks a bunch for such lovely work.

[@iliketrains3601]

I'm so happy of this upload 😍 thank you!

[@PyroTurk]

Seeing the details of the gown up close is amazing such beautiful colors and yet so simple

[@Boom12]

Absolutely love this series and this little behind the scenes gem here. It's deeply therapeutic seeing them for some reason.

[@JustMe-rg6ru]

Mrs. Crocombe reminds me of a mother. Someone very hard working, even though they have a daunting job, they take a lot of pride in it. Mrs. Crocombe seemed so passionate through her line of work based off the written cook book made by her.

[@Elemiriel]

I love the charming pace of these videos... So much on KZbin and in the world is rushed and "quippy" but these videos really make me want to slow down and soak in the information. Thank you so much! Your editors deserve immense praise!

[@shellbug3100]

You all always give me tht comfortable, warm & fuzzy, at home feeling!! Love u all!!

[@kaysdash8556]

I adore Mrs. Crocombe ❤ and I appreciate the actress who portray this amazing Victorian Cook ❤

[@konsueloramirez]

I LOVE this section of the channel. Let me jump back in time and meet mrs crocombe

[@laurametheny1008]

Wonderful! I love these extra informative sessions. Thankyou and please keep them coming!🇬🇧😍💃

[@kellydiaz8374]

i have been in love with mrs. crocombe since these videos first started. thanks for keeping her legacy alive!

[@wikayne]

Hello ! I'm french, and I don't cook, but I felt in love with English Heritage (thanks to Mrs Crocombe). I spent my weekend on your videos ! It's so interesting and charming ! I love it ! Thanks for this amazing channel ! Au revoir ! ;)

[@davidsain2129]

Excellent work, Dr. Annie Gray & Kathy Hipperson! Thank you for bringing history to life.

[@whocares52]

Thank you Dr. Annie Gray for your knowledge of this subject! Wonderful

[@brindabose7641]

I love this channel!!! Love Mrs Crocombe totally!!!!! How beautifully you have curated the content keeping note of History!!!! 😍😍

[@lyndahandwisepeople]

I love these videos!! They’re my fav on Victorian era

[@kathyhester3066]

Another winner! Please keep them coming. My day is not complete until I watch (& re-watch) a couple of these English Heritage videos. Again Thank You.

[@pppppnnnnnggggg]

I appreciate all the hard works by everyone in the crew to bring Mrs. Crocombe to life. It's very interesting and the cinematography is always stunning.

[@timeslush]

These videos are great! I always watch them immediately. It's so fun to learn about history, as well as the making of historical education. I also love how everyone in the comments is so fond of Mrs Crocombe. It's delightful to scroll the comments and see so many nice sentiments.

[@lordbyron3603]

Bravo! What a marvelous way to learn about the Victorian era. Just marvelous. Thank you. I love this channel.

[@ReneeStevens98]

I love Mrs. Crocombe! I hope this series will continue for many more episodes! ✌❤🌎

[@roselienchen9886]

This warms my heart, thank you so much!

[@sandraboxill1322]

I absolutely love this channel. I'm enjoying every moment. Thanks for sharing. But of course I'm also a huge fan of almost all things British. The recipes are mouth watering.

[@vikramiyer6629]

The fact that there existed a person called Avis Crocombe who we know of such few sources, and the fact that she is brought to life for thr entire world to see, is amazing.

[@midorihat]

Love the video - so well done & informative! But oh goodness, I could just listen to that lovely music and look at footage of the gardens & house for ages... So beautiful!

[@Casinogirl56]

Love your videos, informative yet entertaining!!!

[@evelynmartinez2475]

Oh, how I love this. Absolutely brilliant. I can't get enough.

[@kathya4160]

i am so happy here love this channel a blast from the past

[@nuttymadam3575]

These videos are, and will continue to be my favourite thing on KZbin! More please!

[@416684]

Love these uploads.

[@azadalamiq]

i think you guys do an amazing job, and really brought Avis Crocombe to life. I love the recipes you guys show and the lady presents it in a cool fun way. Like i can see her as a Victorian cook.

[@sherriemcwaters3195]

Hello from Louisville Kentucky. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@michelehayes9509]

Very interesting! Love these videos!

[@spinstercatlady]

Fascinating! I'm SUCH a fan of this channel 😍😍

[@dannysimion]

Oh my goodness, I learn more about this then I would have in a book. I love it! Good job explaining the many intricate details.

[@littleogeechee223]

I just adore the Victorian era, and I just know I had a lifetime during that period. I have always, from very young, had this deep, deep love and fascination for Queen Victoria. I have always loved her and her family.

[@NWolfsson]

I must admit, I am really glad we get to have a peek at Mrs Crocombe's undergarment. I was under the impression she was indeed corseted with a rather straight line. And behold, I was right. This is a good proof for the people rejecting any corset because of the reduction that a corset doesn't need to alter your silhouette to be efficient :)

[@brodywolf5355]

I actually love her outfit it's quite practical and nice looking.

[@olcia440]

That is so interesting! I love videos that talk about Victorian period :)

[@TL_oS]

Brilliant video, thank you!

[@Mollypop713]

I love this series!

[@uzmasaba5164]

These videos are mesmerising ♥️

[@gaillaviolette6115]

Love theses !

[@jaysonbelleza2809]

Love this channel :) keep it up

[@Currymonster-kr5zk]

Please do an interview with Kathy hipperson who plays Mrs crocombe, she has more than earned that for bringing this woman to life

[@xilored]

It's interesting and nice video , I like it!😊 More please

[@theeyeofthestorm5718]

Love your videos thanks

[@bigooman2396]

I'm so addicted to this channel. Why, I have no clue it just holds me. 😋

[@gabrielniculaita8131]

Hello, I love your videos. I learn a lot of things, about everything. I even tried the pudding recipe. Every time I look at a I feel transported to another time. Thank you for this experience. Gabriel

[@usagilamperouge]

This channel is so nice! you got to learn some cool things.

[@mirandamom1346]

Wonderful content. Love you, Dr Gray!

[@readpostcard]

Please please make a cook book!!!!!!! thanks

[@Textile_Courtesan]

I have been waiting for this video for months! As a Victorian dress enthusiast, I've been speculating if she wore small hoops or ruffled petticoats.

[@elizabethk1520]

This was so interesting! Thank you!

[@tylerwarner2328]

I love these videos

[@MarleeCraig]

This Channel Rocks 😀

[@milliecookie8539]

I'm in love with this video's they are one of the few things that make me calm after a panic attack.

[@victorianvintage7244]

I love this video, thank you

[@zimrah4837]

Love this! Please keep them coming. Did the cook have a diary? That would be neat to play out.

[@EnglishHeritage]

Hi Mel. We don't know of a diary kept by Mrs Crocombe, but her hand-written cookbook gives an insight into her life and the lives of her employers. Find out more in our earlier videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWe0l4iVmb2GhNE

[@ledzepgirlnmful]

Dr. Gray , thank you for this interesting tutorial on the Victorian Cook's attire. Most interesting. It would be miserable to live in those times, without modern air conditioning, in the heat of a bustling kitchen !!

[@larsstoerloes6619]

I love Mrs Crocombe

[@Jay-qh6uv]

Eeeeee the only thing driving me crazy here is when she said "the victorian figure in the 1880s was one which had quite a wide hemline" which just isn't true. The 1880s had some of the smallest, tight to the body skirts in the entire century. Starting from the 1870s, the width of skirts started reducing down from the wagon wheel style hoop skirts to the elliptical skirt, then got tighter and tighter before reaching its peak in the 1880s where some dresses were a line straight to the floor. The bustle was huge, and the effect was that of a really big, wide skirt bundled up in the back so it's tighter at the front. This is why the 1880s is one of my absolute favorite fashion eras, the lines of the skirt in front were very clean and often geometrical patterns were used, kind of brushing up against some of our more modern clothing today. It was an extremely stylish and unique look, but one of the hallmarks was that small circumference of the bottom of the skirt. All the size and width that used to be down towards the hemline got bundled up behind the skirt. It's a great video but wide hemlines in the 1880s couldn't be more untrue. The hem width of skirts in the 1880s were radically small and tight.

[@ifurkend]

I cannot approve or disapprove you, but as Dr Grey said that the working class didn’t change their wardrobes too much during the Victorian era. So what you said might be true for the upper class, at least.

[@beth12svist]

Um. I think you're thinking of the "Natural Form" era with your ridiculously narrow skirts. Which is just early 1880s. The skirts soon became fuller again and by 1885 you have ridiculously large bustles again. Which, regardless of what it looks like from the front, do require more fabric in the hem. So even in terms of high fashion your info is incomplete.

[@thetillerwiller4696]

@@beth12svist Mrs crocombe is set in 1881 I think, so it’s still natural form era

[@aliciagonzalez8742]

excelent explained!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@simmerguy813]

I just love this! Thank you so much English Heritage!

[@EnglishHeritage]

Thanks Nathan, we're glad you enjoy the series!

[@raisa_cherry33]

Informative ❤❤

[@henrikmonkee]

Mrs. Crocombe is the best!!

[@scholasticarania9034]

This is the quality content i sign up for

[@densioskitchen24]

I enjoyed watching VICTORIA WAY.. HELLO FROM PHILIPPINES.