.. included the term “Jersey”, meaning a type of knit fabric. It was first used in the 1870’s thru ’90’s in the Island of Jersey where Lillie was born and died.
Lillie Langtry wore this finely knitted silk or wool in a way that clung tightly to her figure all the way up and down to mid thigh. It wrapped around her knees and was worn over a flannel or serge skirt.
Called at first the “jersey costume”, it was considered sportswear.
The “jersey” fabric we know today was improved and developed by fashion designer Coco Chanel in the 1920’s who made it into two piece suits. At that time it was a knit of cotton, nylon, rayon, wool, or synthetic material, although the term also means a type of thick knitted sweater originally worn by fisherman, as on the Jersey Isles. Today it is predominantly a thin knit made of synthetic material.
(Photo: On or off stage, “Jersey Lillie” wore the latest fashion)