Bonnets are not only worn but are collected as home decor accessories. Once upon a time a bonnet referred to the headgear worn by a man, not a woman. From priests to beef-eaters, the head coverings were masculine attire. The Scotch still refer to caps as "bonnets." In its original form the definition of a bonnet was a sort of parapet erection without a moat and in nautical terms a bonnet is an addition to a sail. So, it stands to reason that the towering feminine head gear, a literal fortification for the head, came to be recognized as a bonnet. The bonnet, more or less, as we know it was not actually designed until the end of the 18th century, after the first French Revolution.
The famous New York Easter Parade began in the 1870's as a religious recognition walk to carry Easter flowers from St. Thomas Church to St. Luke's Church. The parade route then extended from Madison Square to Central Park. The one block floral parade became a traditional rite of spring and also a venue to show off new spring fashions. No self respecting Victorian would have been seen without their hats and these Easter Bonnets grew larger and larger with more and more flowers, lace, ribbons, and even whimsical novelties like bird's nests.
An Interesting baptism clothing and bonnet fact
The custom of new clothes for Easter goes back to "white week" which was an early Christianity custom. Newly baptised Christians wore white linen robes for a whole week (white week) to symbolize their rebirth and new life. The new Christians were paraded around the country side, lead by a crucifix, to show people that they were starting a new life. The other church members would also wear new clothes.
There is an assumption that Amish women have worn bonnets since the birth of the descendants of Anabaptists formed a old religious sect. The fact is that the famous Amish bonnet is relatively new. While living in Europe and working the fields the women often wore protective flat hats, straw in summer and felt in winter, instead of fabric bonnets. These hats could even be tied down with strings. Some believe that the Amish womenfolk actually adopted the Quaker bonnet, which was introduced into Pennsylvania from England around 1800.
There seems to have been some controversy in the Amish church over whether a Plain woman should be allowed to wear a bonnet. The more stylish bonnet caused some recorded disagreements in public as well as private. The most conservative group of Old Order Amish known as the Nebraska Amish, still do not allow the bonnet as headdress. The women in this order wear black kerchiefs and the flat straw hats because like early church members, they believe that the fancier bonnets are worldly and vain. However the wearing came to be accepted among most Amish communities. It is quite obvious to note that it would have never taken place except through the gentle persuasion and perhaps persistence of Amish women.
|
