In 1917 the Bank of England employed twenty women to replace male porters who had left to fight in the First World War. The Bank designed a new uniform for the women. This tricorn hat was purchased from a department store. The pink detailing was added by the Bank’s seamstress to match the pink uniform of the male porters. Women porters were paid half the amount earned by their male equivalents. Although they were given lighter duties than the men, they still had to pass a medical to qualify for a job.
1917
Textile
A360a
Image and text are copyright of Bank of England.