Smoking cap worn by Grandpa Cole in Alphington

Smoking caps, also known as lounging caps, were worn by gentlemen from the 1840s to the 1880s. They were worn whilst smoking to prevent the smell of tobacco from lingering in their hair. The caps would be made using wool, silk or velvet and were frequently ornate, brightly coloured, and topped with a tassel. They would often have been made at home; handmade smoking caps were the perfect gift for a lady to give to her husband or fiancé. These caps showcase the multiplicity of needlework skills and techniques held by Victorian ladies at this time.