IN recent years we've heard a lot about Worcester Woman, but exactly a century ago it was Worcester Man who was under the national spotlight and not in complimentary terms.

Crowquill, in his Journal comment column for this week of 1901, explained: "An article has appeared in a tailor trade journal claiming that well-dressed men are not to be seen in Worcester, and the issue has now been taken up by one of those half-penny morning papers published in London. It gives prominent editorial attention to the matter, stating:

'A special commissioner despatched by a tailoring journal to Worcester to report on male attire in that charming place has made a presentment that demonstrates the intelligence of those who dwell in the Sauceries.

'We advise the men of Worcester to pay no attention to these criticisms but to continue dressing as they please. No doubt the whole scheme is intended to make the Worcester people dissatisfied with their clothes and send them in a great hurry to the tailor's to get new things.

'Brown, yellow and grey make quite a pleasing combination a relief to the eye after the tiresome black frock coats of Piccadilly. We are glad also that the silk hat, which was seen in Worcester last year, has been worn out and not replaced. It shows that Worcester is not the serf of sartorial conventionality.

'The last silk hat has gone from the sauce and china zone. When, oh, when will the last silk hat vanish from hide-bound London!'

Though strongly supporting the sentiments expressed by the London paper, Crowquill had to add a footnote pointing out that the last silk hat had not, in fact, disappeared from the Worcester scene.

"A worthy ex-Mayor still wears one, he explained to his readers.