the pearlies

I love the internet. How else could you ever be exposed to so many ideas, people, and traditions?

Yesterday, I was hunting around Google photos for Christmas ornament inspiration. Clicking on one ornament with pearly buttons, (which I adore) led me to learn all about the "Pearly Kings and Queens" of London.

The Pearly Kings and Queens, is a charitable organization begun in the 19th century by a streetsweeper named Henry Croft. As a way to attract attention, Henry began sewing onto his suit all the pearl buttons he found along the streets as he swept.  Henry was part of an organization called the Costemongers, who sold their wares in London, and gave much in the way of charity to the 'down and outs' of London. 

 
The costumes are highly prized and passed down from generation to generation. Every year a new Pearly King and Queen are crowned.

Oh my gosh. I love it! Fabulous creativity + a good cause... And some cheeky attitude thrown into the mix.  What a perfect recipe for great design!

Here's the rest of their story, if you have a minute for reading The Pearlies. Can't you just see Dick VanDyke and Julie Andrews in those costumes?

Have a supercalifragilisticexbealidocious day! (Hope I spelled that right?!)  ~Kelly

  

Comments

[Jeni Carlson]

I had never heard of the Pearlies. Thanks for sharing their interesting and inspiring story. Happy day to you too!

[Cindy Geilmann]

Kelly, your so fun. That was an amazing story and clothing. I'm glad your working on christmas. I am too.

cindy@stitches

[Julie]

That was interesting. I wondered how heavy those garments are to wear...

[Maria]

WOW! That is something. Never seen anything like it. Talk about adornment over the top... :)

[traci]

wow!!!! that's all i can really say. can you imagine? here's something crazy - i still know all the words to that song. my mind seems to be filled with useless things like that. but i guess you never know when you will need to break out in a little mary poppins song.