Evening bonnet

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A well-preserved example of early 19th century headwear, this bonnet typifies a classic high-style shape of the period. The rich velvet and silk ribbon used would perfectly suit a formal evening ensemble, as opposed to the lighter cottons and linens frequently used in day bonnets and caps. Both the use of velvet and the orientation of the ribbons slightly mimic a Gothic Renaissance turban style which was well-liked at the time.

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