The Tussie Mussie… A Long Lost Charm

The tussie mussie was the Victorian solution to warding off unpleasant smells and disease. Not only were the posy-holders elegant and ornamental, they were an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe. In the latter part of the 19th century they became incredibly fashionable, and gentlemen callers were expected to arrive with a nosegay for the lady they were courting. Worn on a gloved finger, or pinned to the bodice of an enchanting gown, they provided the wearer with the assurance of being ensconced in only the loveliest and headiest of scents.