Poke bonnet

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Poke bonnets, named for their small crown and large brim that extends past the face, shielded the profile of the wearer and provided for ample surface area for decoration. With its exuberant ribbon detail, this cheerful bonnet exudes youthfulness and the enchantment of spring. The feminine flourish of the decoration invites the passerby to see who is hiding beneath the brim of the bonnet.

The Costume Institute

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand objects represents seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present.

Metropolitan Museum of Art