Victorian Bonnet Veils - Not Just for Mourning

Yes, veils were worn for mourning. However, veils were not just for mourning. Veils were a common, practical fashion accessory in the 1860s and were worn for several reasons.

• Veils protected the eyes from the sun's glare, just like sunglasses do now.

• Veils protected the face from flying insects and dust. Remember, buggies, wagons and horse-backing riding didn't provide windshields! 

• Veils offered a lady privacy. They created a personal space for her, even in a public place.

As you can see from this CDV, veils were worn with both bonnets and hats. These ladies have pulled their veils back so you can see their faces. 

Veils have been worn for centuries so ladies wearing them in the 1860s was not a new idea. Veils were worn by young and old alike. Here is both an older lady and a young lady wearing one.

Regardless of race, income and social position, many ladies wore them. 

They were appropriate for both winter and summer weather. 

Veils generally come in a half-oval shape or some rectangular configuration. They seem to be predominantly black or white, but they can also come in colors such as blue, green, and brown. The following snippets from fictional works of the day will illustrate.

Godey’s Lady's Book, 1861
My Ward
She was muffled up in furs, woolens, shawls till she was nearly as broad as she was long, and wore a heavy brown veil.

Peterson’s Magazine, 1864

Fanny’s Flirtation

As the vehicle drew up, in obedience to my summons, a glance inside discovered two females—one somewhere between sixty and a hundred and fifty, and the other composed principally of green veil drawn well over the face...

Peterson’s Magazine, 1864

The Lost Estate

She stopped and looked after him, thrusting the brown veil aside that covered her face.

Littell’s Living Age, Volume 74, by Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1862)

Chronicles of Carlingford

He went that way—that way, look!—in a cab, with somebody in a blue veil.

I love this lovely yet practical Victorian accessory! In fact, I offer bonnet veils in my shop. My veils are copied from an original veil in my collection.

Available in my shop

Hairnets for Ladies

Hairnets were popular during the 1860s and came in a variety of styles. They could be quite upscale, depending on the material the hairnet was made of and the type of embellishments, or they were perfectly appropriate for less dressy wear.

There was also a broad age span of those who wore nets. Younger girls to mature ladies can be seen wearing them in period photographs. The social status of those wearing nets ranged from the upper working class to the highest social class.

Something else that we need to notice—nets were worn over neatly arranged hair. It was not simply a way to hide a bad hair day.

Some of the materials mentioned for both the net and the embellishments are: silk in various forms, velvet ribbon, gold fringe, gold stars, gold net, chenille, lace, blonde, imitation pearl beads, ornamental buttons, flowers, leather, jet beads, steel beads, gilt beads, various ribbons for ruching…..you get the idea.

The following quotes give you wonderful overview of the fashion advice of the day.

Peterson’s Magazine, December 1860
Nets are still worn both in negligee [informal attire] and full dress. 

Peterson’s Magazine, March 1861
Nets still continue to be worn trimmed with ruched ribbon, bows, or tassels.

Godey’s Lady’s Book, May 1861
Nets for the hair are by no means laid aside; they are still very much worn in morning-dress, and also in evening negligee [informal attire or dressing gown]. Those made of colored chenille or velvet are very becoming; they are usually finished with tassels or rosettes. 

Godey’s Lady’s Book, December 1861
As there are still many ladies who value the comfort and convenience of the hair-net, and who are desirous of retaining it as long as fashion permits, we are very happy to comply with the wish of a subscriber, and give instructions for making the newest that has appeared, which is one that bears the name of the “Invisible Hair Net.” As its title implies, this net is scarcely distinguishable when worn upon the hair, as it matches in color, and is also remarkably fine and clear, the meshes being open.

Godey’s Lady’s Book, September 1863

A new style of net has been introduced. It is made of hair the exact shade of the wearer’s. It is netted over a fine mesh, which makes it almost invisible and very durable.

Peterson’s Magazine, November 1863

For morning wear, the nets which are so generally worn are all trimmed with a bow at the top of the head. This is an improvement upon the elastic which, when visible, was not a pretty object to contemplate; the informal bow now completely conceals the elastic.

Below are some original photos and fashion plates showing these handy little hair items.

A plain hairnet. Photo seen on eBay.

A net with a braided ribbon band. Frank Leslie's, 1864. 

Picture of a lady's fine hairnet as seen from the back.

A fancier net, worn with fashionable day or evening wear.

The Princess Alexandra of Denmark, wearing a fashionable net.

A net can also be paired with a hat.

Young ladies sore them too!

Just for fun, here is a picture of my daughter wearing one of the reproduction hairnets I offer in my shop. Now you can see how it looks in "real life!" :)

An 1860s reproduction hairnet