The leading industry in Portsmouth was surprisingly the dress sector represented by the many milliners, dressmakers, staymakers, shirtmakers, seamstresses, tailors, hatters and shoemakers. This dominance was evident throughout the years 1841 to 1911, by which time it occupied 39.6% of the workforce (metalwork and engineering were 23.6% and shipbuilding 20.8%).
Demand was led by the large presence of naval and military personnel requiring uniforms and a willing workforce was to be found among the female workers of the town. Portsmouth was particularly famous for its specialism in corset (stay) making.
To find out more read the excellent Portsmouth Paper no 25 by R C Riley.
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