During that time period, there was a popular saying that went: 'New for three years, old for three years and patched for another three years'. It reflects the thrifty and hardworking spirit of the day, when clothes were mended and patched again and again to get the most use out of them.
In a time of harsh economic conditions and scare materials, wearing new clothes was considered shameful. The attitude was so prevalent that many people sewed patches on to little worn or new clothes so that they would look old.