Timely Tresses                   
Historic Millinery from the Regency through Civil War Eras
 
 
Timely Tresses
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1800-1839
1840-1849
1850-1859
1860-1869
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Early Victorian Era
1840-1849

Our 1840's Bonnet Styles

The Louisa Ann


Recreates the 1840's blocked crown coal scuttle bonnet. The style is marked by the horizontal line from the crown to the brim. The bonnet creates the classic 1840's horseshoe shaped silhouette. 

The Lydia Alma


A coal scuttle style bonnet, was introduced around 1840.  The style differed greatly from its poke bonnet predecessors by the horizontal line from back to front with no flare.  The flat crown can be wadded for a softer look. 

The Arabella Grace


An 1840's blocked crown cottage bonnet, came into popularity in the 1840's.  The brim flared more than its coal scuttle predecessors.  The style creates a horseshoe silhouette around the face. 

The Ada Gray


A cottage bonnet, came to popularity in the mid 1840's. The style continued in use into 1850's and was featured in Godey's Lady's Book as late as 1856. 
The Violet Mae


A blocked back cottage bonnet.  Has a larger crown and slightly more flare than it's cousin, Arabella Grace.

The Verretta Louia


 A late 1840's Horseshoe and predecessor to the early 1850's circle shaped bonnets. 


Choosing an 1840's Bonnet
In the Fashion Pages

Godey's Lady's Book
1840

Godey's Lady's Book
1841

Godey's Lady's Book
1845

Godey's Lady's Book
1846

Belle Assemble
1847.jpg
1847

Godey's Lady's Book
1849.JPG
1849


In Practical Millinery
The 1840's saw the collapse of the huge poke bonnet. By about 1845, bonnets took on a horseshoe shaped coal scuttle style. The ties attached inside the bonnet to allow the ends to hang like dog ears! The style mimicked the loops of doggy ear braids or cocker spaniel curls over the ears.  About 1848, the cottage bonnet emerged as the long rounded points of the coal scuttle bonnet shortened into sweet broadly rounded corners. The bonnet also flared a bit to allow for a more rounded shape around the head.

Originals in our Collection


chip coal scuttle

faille cottage

coal scuttle hood

All images are property of Timely Tresses unless otherwise noted.

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