This coming weekend is the first time I’ll take the red 1830s dress out for a spin (assuming I :::cough::: finish it :::cough:::), and while I had grand plans to create a huge silken bonnet that would complete the look while hiding my 2014 hair, the buckram form I ordered didn’t arrive in time, and so now I’m looking at other options for 1830s daytime headgear.
Here goes…
General, Non-Period Specific Bonnet
I do have a very nice “general bonnet,” that works across many eras, for those not looking too closely. It’s straw, with a large round brim, and will do in a pinch. With the event on Sunday and quite a bit more work to do to make the dress wearable by then, this might be my best option.
A Top Hat
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| Los Angeles Public Library, via |
Jaunty and period-correct, ladies’ top hats were worn with sporty costumes, like this snazzy blouse and skirt combo on the left. My dress isn’t particularly sporty (though I’m seriously having to stop myself from making this brown and white outfit *right now*), so while I have a top hat, I don’t think it’ll quite work with my dress.
A Wide-Brimmed Hat
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| Via |
Here’s another easy option – a wide-brimmed hat with some fun bows and a big feather. It doesn’t completely cover the hair, but it could be positioned in a way to hide all but the front. Curiously, this headgear is shown with an evening gown, so it might not be at all appropriate for daywear…
Fluffy Head Lace Cap Thing
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| Via |
Covering all but the front curlies, a quick cap trimmed with lace and plenty of ribbons and flowers could do the trick. It’s not really my style, and when I say “quick” that still entails hours and hours of sewing fine fabrics, so maybe I’ll skip this one…
A Turban
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| Via |
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Perhaps the easiest to make, a quick turban or gathered-crown beret type of head covering would make a big impact and do the job of covering the back of the head beautifully. Are the turbans shown for formal or informal wear, though? Would a turban look out-of-place with a cotton daydress?
This Thing
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| Via |
Maybe not…
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I suppose the best option is to get the dress finished, put it all on, then try on different options to see what will look the best (or if none of what I already have will work). That’s me then, off to sewn on hooks and eyes. 🙂
14 Comments
Lady Rebecca
July 18, 2014 at 2:25 AMDefinitely go with "that thing." It looks awesome!
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:09 PMHaha! I have no idea how to make it, but it's brilliant!
The Laced Angel
July 18, 2014 at 2:47 AMOh man, that last one. Such ridiculousness. Maybe that will be my go-to answer if I don't get time to work on hairpieces to go with my 1830s ballgown before CoCo.
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:09 PMYes. Do it. This is a must.
Unknown
July 18, 2014 at 3:56 AMI've always been obsessed with bonnets…but any kind of fabulous hat really floats my boat. 🙂 Good luck choosing! Can't wait to see the final project!
MrsC (Maryanne)
July 18, 2014 at 9:18 AMThis THING is RAD!! It's like a ribbon exploding out of her head!! AWESOME!!!
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:10 PMHahah, and she still manages to look utterly adorable with That Thing on her head.
unicornemporium
July 18, 2014 at 1:37 PMI would go with the straw bonnet…it will do the best job of covering up "modern hair" 🙂
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:10 PMI agree! I put it all on together last night and the straw bonnet actually looks pretty good.
Martha
July 19, 2014 at 2:51 AMSomething like This Thing but a little less. I made one out of organdy and lace, vandyked around the face and the cap back with a wire support, for our daughter and she gets lots of comments. We do 1836, Texas Revolution, and I love the 1830's! So feminine, so easy to travel in a car while dressed. Be sure you think corded petticoat if you do more 1830's, the "crinoline" of the time. Also a great Dover book " French Fashions of the Romantic Era" edited by Judy M. Johnson is worth getting. Got mine years ago so I do not know if it is still in print.
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:11 PMI don't have a corded petticoat yet, but it's on my list of must-do items. I love the silhouette it creates.
Mistress of Disguise
July 19, 2014 at 7:18 AMOMG, that last Thing is completely fantastic. For convenience sake, though, I would go for the multi-period straw bonnet. It's very lovely, and I think the yellow flowers would actually accent the red fabric quite nicely.
Lauren Stowell
July 19, 2014 at 10:11 PMYes, I'm fast running out of time, so the straw bonnet is the plan. 🙂
Hana - Marmota
July 22, 2014 at 6:17 AMHm… There's a Ammerling's 1835 painting of a girl in a yellow hat, who I don't think is wearing it as evening wear, although I can't be certain. Too late to advise on your event, but maybe next time? It looks very simple.
http://www.wga.hu/art/a/amerling/girlyell.jpg