Woman's Bonnet

This bonnet is covered in a rich brown silk and has matching ribbons. It has ten channels sewn into the deep brim, through which cane was run, around which the fabric is ruched or shirred. At the lower back is a small curtain called a bavolet that protects the neck. It was common to buy a base for a bonnet and decorate it yourself, which may have been the case with this bonnet.

For women, wearing a bonnet wasn’t just a fashion statement, it was a cultural necessity. As fashion historians flip through fashion plates, literature, and resources, there is no clear or written reason for the bonnet. We can assume it was a sign of modesty which is written in their religious belief and a societal standard. Bonnets also were not a symbol of hierarchal status. They were worn by all classes, even the servants were given cheap, simple bonnets to wear. The extravagance and detail of the accessory was the tell-tale sign of wealth, or lack thereof.