1880's Bonnets
Made in 2018 this small bonnet is in the shape that is absolutely typical of the late 1880's and early 1890's.
The crown is made from reclaimed paper straw in a tobacco color, and the brim is covered with a vintage brown straw that's highly textured.
The top front edge of the crown is decorated with a triple bow of brown picot-edged ribbon, topped with hand tinted flowers.
Here's a good view of the triple bow on the top of the crown. It lends the requisite height to this little bonnet.
The back (tip) of the crown has an oval shape and the bottom is trimmed with hand dyed picot-edged ribbon that also forms the bonnet strings.
Detailed view of the two straws and brown picot-edged ribbon.
Side view shows the silhouette of the bonnet.
Three-quarter profile view shows flowers on the top of the bonnet.
The front view of the hat shows the flowers peeking out at the top, and the ribbon ties at the chin.
The inside of the bonnet is unlined as the straw is very soft.
A wire hair comb is stitched in to help keep the bonnet in place.
This bonnet, made in 2018, features stand-up feathers to create the height that was popular in the mid 1880's.
The base is made from a buckram frame that was covered with two-tone velvet in turquoise and rust. Rust velvet puffs adorn the top, along with rust and turquoise feathers wired into place.
Shot taffeta ribbon was stitched into individual leaf shapes for the trim on the perimeter of the bonnet. It also softens the inside of the tiny brim.
The ties, which extend to the back of the bonnet, are made of turquoise ribbon with a scroll design in gold embossing.
The overall effect is very striking, and would need a large bustle to balance it!
Detail view of the stand-up feathers. The turquoise ones are rooster tail feathers and the rust ones are vintage burnt schlappen feathers.
The back view offers an elegant line to counter the frivolous feathers!
The inside of the bonnet is lined and has a wire comb to aid in keeping it on the head.
This cloth-covered bonnet was made for the final season of Hell On Wheels in 2016. It has a buckram and wire frame.
Here is the drawing from Harpers Bazar that was the inspiration for the velvet-covered bonnet.
Typical of the mid 1880's, this bonnet is quite small, and emphasizes height to balance the bustle-style gown it was worn with.
This bonnet was covered with a shot velvet in rust tones and the ties are of vintage black silk taffeta.
Back view shows the velvet pleated and bound with brocade.
Detail view of the feather trims: two poufs of light brown and dark orange feathers, one black ostrich feather, and three brown goose biots help give the height this style requires.
Detail view of beaded trim and black picot-edged ribbon.
View of the left side of the bonnet shows all the feather trims together.
This 1885 bonnet started it's life as a 1950's cocktail hat! It is made of a buckram frame covered with black velvet that has been knotted at the top to give some height.
The black veil was original to the hat, but the pink trims were added to match a costume from Hell On Wheels final season.
This back view shows a velvet bow at the bottom of the bonnet and gives good impression of the height added by the decorations.
Detailed view of decorations: a hand-tinted bird is placed at centre front, backed by ribbon loops and stripped cocque feathers.
Side-back view shows more ribbon loops made from striped organza ribbon and the ties of black silk velvet ribbon. Price: $164 CDN
This Bebe bonnet is based on an illustration from Harper's Bazar in August of 1884.
The back has criss-crossed lace that continues to the front and forms the ties.
The bottom of the back is cut away to leave room for the hair.
The crown is covered with black satin and trimmed with gimp, pleated satin ribbon and lace. There are lace motifs stitched to the outside of the brim.
The underside of the brim is trimmed with pleated lace and velvet ribbon.
The lace strings are a continuation of the lace decoration on the back.
In profile you can see the small scale of this style. That's the reason for it being called "bebe"!
Here is the drawing from Harpers Bazar that inspired this reproduction.
Based on a design from 1884, this brown velvet bonnet was used in the tv show Wynonna Earp.
The bonnet ties under the chin with wide satin ribbons.
The bonnet was made on a buckram and wire frame that was covered with brown velvet.
Brown satin ribbon with a feather edge and wine organza striped picot edged ribbon were made into loops to decorate the top.
Two of the ribbon loops extend to the bottom forming the ties and giving some textural contrast with the velvet base.
Curled brown goose nagoire feathers and wine rooster tail feathers accent the left side of the bonnet.
Side view of the ribbon loops and feather trims.
The inside of the bonnet has been lined with satin and a wire comb was stitched in to help keep this bonnet in place.
Detail of the velvet pleated at the back of the bonnet, and the satin ribbon with feather edge.
Throughout the 1880's the words "hat and "bonnet" were used almost interchangeably. Sometimes bonnets were ties under the chin, and hats were not, but not always! Headcoverings themselves tended to be on the small side, generally, and easpecially after 1884, height was often emphasized through the use of trims. The height was needed to balance the bustles at the back of the skirts. You can also have an 1880's hat custom-made by calling or writing to Easel Incorporated. Send a drawing or description and have a quality custom headcovering made quickly!
Click on any of these photo's for a closer view.