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In the late 1840's when the great western movement began, practical ladies going west with their families developed
a clothing item that would remain a staple in the western woman's wardrobe for 80 years or better- The Sunbonnet.
Fashionable bonnets would not have born up to the abuse on the trail, so ladies took a common protective style
of the era and fashioned it of plain calico, sometimes using thin wood or cardboard slats for stiffening that could
be removed to wash the hat, and sometimes using buckram. This style would remain as a working hat for many years(through
the 1920's- I have one in my collection that was my Grandmothers from that era) , it protected eyes and skin from
the sun, as well as the back of your neck. The originals were very similar to the fashionable bonnets of the 1840s,
but as time passed the bavolet (back ruffle) of the bonnet grew larger and more protective. They may look warm
to wear, but actually saved skin from burning and the hot sun from beating down on the dark color of the average
working dress.
Sunonnets would eventually be made in many shapes and sizes, including patterns which would lay totally flat for
washing and ironing, and then button into shape.
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Fashionable bonnets of 1848
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