Heroes, Heroines, and History

 

 

Hats, Hats, and More Hats

 

All you have to do is look at one century at any time in history and realize how drastically fashions can change in one hundred years. Hats are no exception, especially women’s headwear from the 1800s. From the Leghorn bonnets of the 1830s-1850s, to the prairie bonnets, and ending with the ornate hats seen in the 1890s, the styles changed dramatically over the years.

In Beyond the Horizon, heroine Ruby Shepherdson rescues a discarded hat after it arrives at the mercantile battered and misshaped. With a bit of work and assistance, she restores it to its former glory. With hats often being integral to a woman’s wardrobe, it’s no wonder we see so many pictures of 19^th-century women wearing them in their many forms and fashions. Let’s dive into history to explore these sometimes-amusing accessories.

The beginnings of the 1800s saw hats worn primarily for protection or as a means of stating marital status. Spinsters or married ladies in the Regency era wore caps both indoors and out. Turbans, not unlike those First Lady, Dolly Madison, wore, were also in style.

 

 

The 30s through 60s saw a wide variety of styles, from brims being so close to the face that they appear to be squeezing it to the wider straw hats. Headwear for women became in vogue around the 50s. Around the 60s, the sailor cap joined the variety of choices for women, as did the use of felt as a preferred material. While feathers were used on occasion, the primary decorations were lace or velvet ribbon.

It wasn’t until the middle of the Civil War that feathers and flowers became more popular, mainly being placed on the front. Enter in the smaller bonnets in the 70s and 80s, and headwear undertook an entirely new appearance. Women’s hats went from what could be considered modest in decoration to an abundance of trimming. Lace, ribbon, plumed feathers, bugs, large bows, and flower bouquets were often used.

Brim sizes fluctuated from almost nonexistent in some 70s and 80s hats to a bit wider in the 90s. Faux fruits and fowl were added to the confection of decorations, which created an even more unique ensemble. According to Maureen A. Taylor, author and researcher of historical fashion, real, stuffed birds sometimes made an appearance as well.  

In 1911, the setting for Love in Disguise, the main character, Emilie Crawford Wheeler, is aghast when her ornate hat, purchased all the way from Boston, meets its demise when it is trampled by horses. She was horrified for two good reasons. First, hats often indicated societal status. Second, they could be expensive, sometimes so much so that in the late 1890s, women spent around $100 million on Easter and Christmas hats in one year.

If you lived in the 19^th century, what trimmings would you wear on your hat?

 

 

 

She's desperate to keep her job.
He's desperate for solitude.
What is God's plan in this complicated situation?

Ruby Shepherdson has worked hard to secure her job as a reporter for The Horizon Herald. After a costly mistake, Ruby’s unforgiving boss gives her an ultimatum to either interview the handsome and reclusive Jake Lynton—or lose her job. But each time Ruby has attempted to obtain an interview, Jake has refused. Why would anyone who has saved the lives of four people deny recognition? And why does she find herself drawn to the man?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PENNY ZELLER is known for her heartfelt stories of faith, love, and humor and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today, Penny is a multi-published author of over two dozen books. She is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. She resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers at www.pennyzeller.com.