necessaires

Necessaire, or necessaries in the plural, is a historical term used to describe a compact kit containing essential items for a specific purpose. In English, the word often denotes a portable toiletry or sewing kit carried on travel, while in French the term nécessaire means “necessary” and can refer to similar sets. The concept centers on curated convenience: a ready-made collection of items deemed essential for grooming, repairs, or personal care.

Historically, necessaries were popular from the 17th through the 19th centuries and were common among both men and women. A toilet necessaire might include a razor and blades, a comb, toothbrush or tooth powder, soap, and a small bottle of fragrance, all arranged in a fitted case. A sewing necessaire would carry needles, thread, a thimble, scissors, buttons, and pins. These sets were often housed in leather, metal, or decorative cases with compartments, reflecting the era’s emphasis on portability and refinement. In some contexts, necessaries also described compact military or expedition kits that combined tools, writing implements, and basic medical items.

In modern usage, necessaries are largely of historical interest and appear in museum catalogs, period literature, and connoisseur descriptions. Contemporary equivalents are typically called toiletry kits, grooming kits, or sewing kits. The concept remains the same: a compact, portable collection of items judged essential for travel or daily tasks.