Non-bonnet headcoverings

[laurasb]

Hello all,

I am new to regency, having only made 18thC things so far. I am making my 11yo DD a linen "work" gown (based on the S&S regency gown pattern) which she will wear when hearth cooking and doing other chores at a local museum. I am planning to make her a very plain straw bonnet with ribbon ties for when she's outside.

I had thought day caps were mostly out by 1800 and then last night watched Ang Lee's S&S. Margaret never wore her hair up and only rarely wore a bonnet. Then in the wedding scene, almost all the little girls wore something on their heads and most of them looked like white linen day caps from 1770. So what did a proper young lady wear on her head? And at what age did she start putting her hair up?

Thanks for any advice,

Laura

[Mme de Beaufort]

Young ladies did not habitually wear caps, they usually wore their hair up. Caps were mostly worn by married women, spinsters and older women, and they would put bonnets over them when they left the house. Bandeaux were often worn by young women, turbans sometimes of a variety of styles, capote/beret.

Here is a guide to turbans, hair and hats.
oregonregency.blogspot.com/2010/02/regency-ladies-tresses.html
oregonregency.blogspot.com/2010/03/regency-ladys-turban.html
oregonregency.blogspot.com/search/label/Bonnet


I wouldn't go to the adaptations for authenticity by any means... Instead, I'd look at fashion plates and paintings.

[laurasb]

Thank you for the links. The first was especially interesting with regard to hair. I probably should have included the word "child" I guess in my subject heading though, because as I mentioned in my post, I am dressing an 11yo.

I haven't seen girls in any of the dozens of fashion plates I've looked at and the only portrait I've found is at tidenstoej.natmus.dk/periode1/dragt.asp?ID=83 . I was happy to see that these girls didn't have any curls around their face, because DD's hair is very straight and after a short time at the hearth, any curling will have completely fallen out. My concern about using this one portrait as evidence of an appropriate hairstyle is that these girls are obviously wealthy and may not be a good example of everyday hair for a girl who is expected to help around the house.

If there are other examples of girls' hair I would love to see them.

BTW, DDs gown will be very much like the one in the Danish link above, except that it's a red and cream stripe rather than a red and cream medallion print. I love that little gown.

Laura

[Mme de Beaufort]

I adore so many gowns from that that site... especially the white embroidered one... ::sighs::

I've seen many portraits of children from that period, and many of them had simple top parts, hair pulled tightly and then bunned up with maybe at most, a bandeau wrapped through it at best. Some had short hair that was curled...

This post is wonderful--it describes how children were often styled to look like little adults (mostly girls... the boys wore skeleton suits rather than the full finery for a while first):
janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/little-girls-regency-dresses/

Images:
media.photobucket.com/image/little%20girl%20portrait%20of%20regency%20period/heavenboundpress/Pugs/2957c25b.jpg

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/collections/diningroom/girl_sketching_raeburn.aspx

www.garegency.org/images/contact.jpg

I cannot imagine it was inappropriate for them to wear caps either, but if she's going to be in that precious gown, a simple updo or bun, with a part, maybe with a wisp or two hanging from the sides of her face would be precious precious! weave a little white bandeau through the hair around her crown... Adorbs! ((wishing she had a little girl to costume))

[dawnluckham]

Steph has given you some excellent sources.

There is just one little thing I want to offer up for thought/consideration.

Caps were often worn by the "working" classes when doing dirty chores. It was a practicality thing - keeping the hair out of the way and also free of dust or dirt or cooking smells. I can't tell you how this might work specifically for a child and maybe your museum would be able to give further insight into that. I have a few resources which I'm happy to check sometime tomorrow and if I find anything noteworthy, I'll certainly share.

Don’t forget, in a working role, she should have an apron. It should have shoulder straps to keep it at the Empire waist.