Though the ‘housewife’ monicker raises hackles for its less-than-PC connotations, the term has innocent origins. Up until the late 19th century, pillowcases were simply open-ended, so pillows tended to worm their way out of their cases. An envelope-style pocket was introduced in the 1880s to tuck them into place and make life a little easier, and it’s thought the design was named after its creators – the “Bolton Housewives” Laundry Co-operative. This forerunner of the WI was part of the Women’s Co-operative Guild, founded on a national movement campaigning for fair wages and equal opportunities for women. We rather like that idea that, far from being sexist, this historic bedlinen term signals what amounts to the start of the Fairtrade movement…
Still not sure if Oxford or Housewife is best for you? Here’s our buyer’s guide to pillowcase styles and sizes: