Bonnet Mockup

[atherleisure]

I need a bonnet for a couple of 1830's events coming up in the next couple of months. I want something like this:



or this:



The first is 1836, and the second is 1835. Neither shows the back.

This one dated 1837 does:



I'm going for about 1835.

Obviously the 1837 one does not allow for hair pulled up and looped on top of the head, but I see examples of a knot that is high but not on top of the head that are dated to about 1835 so that's what I'm planning to do.

I cut out a paper mock-up of the bonnet in view D of Butterick 3805.

The following are pictures taken with my hair high at the back of my head with a bit of a loop sticking up. I didn't take pictures of the hair, but I felt that it was positioned right where period pictures and fashion plates show it being positioned for the loop-on-head fashion.

These pictures were taken with the bonnet resting where it wanted to rest over my hair.



It struck me as having a similar brim profile to this picture, if it were wired:



These pictures were taken with my hair in a knot at the top of the back of my head rather than on top of my head.



I think it's better than I was expecting. I think I need to cut down the brim some at the sides but lengthen it a touch so it comes down more toward my chin.

What do those of you who have studied the 1830's more than I have think?

Comments

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I haven't really studied 1830s, but I think it looks good and will be just right with the changes you're planning. Looks like a really fun bonnet!

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I think it will be decent, and as someone said very 1830's - all pretty and no practicality.

[chocolatepot.livejournal.com]

I think that the high, looped 1830s hairstyles were for settings where you weren't going to wear a bonnet (at home, evening parties, the opera, etc.) - for going out in a bonnet, the top of the back of your head is more the right place. The last set of pictures looks really good!

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought about it that way. I suppose I think of hair being done for the day and a bonnet put on as needed rather than planning to go out or stay in and dressing accordingly. The modern mindset can be a hindrance with historic costuming, can't it? I think I'm going to shorten the brim just a bit but otherwise leave it alone.