There's a possibility for it linked with "tawdry"

Methinks the derivation of "tawdry" is from Saint Audrey. The story told in the Church of England is that the saint had a throat condition which required her to wrap a scarf around her neck. At Saint Audrey's fairs, held in honour of the old girl's memory and example, cheap jewelry (e.g. necklaces) were sold of the sort that one could wear for the day and then discard. By contraction, they were referred to as "tawdry."

If this turns out to be folk etymology, I will be only mildly embarrassed, because it makes such a lovely story in any event.