Victorian Hats

It was extremely fashionable and practical for Victorian women to wear bonnets on an every day basis. Basic bonnets were used daily to keep hair away from women's faces and out of their way when doing jobs etc. They eventually became more intricate, detailed and pretty as time went on.
Bonnets became trimmed with feathers, flowers, ribbon, frills etc. Wide brimmed bonnets became a real fashion statement in the 1830s, originating from New York and inspiring women in magazines.

Although bonnets stayed fashionable for quite some time, featuring in Vogue and being the fashion talk amongst women, the trimmings and extra ribbons/accessories changed almost seasonally,keeping up with current trends. The wide set bonnets protected women's faces from the sun, however as they didn't wear makeup at the time, some women lined the inside of their bonnets with pink materials which gave them a pretty glow when they were out and about. Clever!

Here is an example of a bonnet from the era, still in great condition!

Bibliography:

http://www.victoriana.com/Fashion/antiquehat/1830.html