A recently commissioned black spoon bonnet:
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About Susan
Hi! My name is Susan and I am a historian, seamstress, teacher, mother, and wife. My passion for history has manifested itself in the art of recreating clothing from different periods of time. Growing up in the American South, I am heavily schooled in the art of recreating clothing from the 19th century. After nearly a decade of immersing myself primarily in the Victorian period, I found the need to branch out and explore other periods of time. However, it is my connection with the American South and the clothing of rural America that continues to be the driving force behind my designs. View all posts by Susan
How beautifully made!
I’m not experienced with that era, does a black bonnet anticipates mourning or was it just a fashionable color for a bonnet like in the late 18th century?!
Sabine
Hello Sabine!
When it comes to lamenting the dead, no one did it like the Victorians! They elevated it to a performance art! However, you are correct in assuming that like in the 18th century, a black bonnet did not necessarily denote one was in mourning. Many extant black bonnet from this period are trimmed with vibrantly colored ribbons that could easily be removed or replaced with appropriate mourning colors if necessary. As a side note- it would not be inappropriate to assume that every American woman during the years 1861-1865 wore some type of mourning attire on a regular basis. What a horrendous time in American history!
Thank you for the explanation, Susan!
Sabine
P.S. Jane Eyre will be released here in December – so unfortunately I’ll have to wait a little longer (sigh), but I’ll sure let you know how I like it!