Victorian Millinery is a unique shop specializing in head wear and novelties for the Civil War lady, 1850-1860's. No woman's toiletry was complete without an appropriate head covering. To supply this need, we create a variety of delicious bonnets, hats, caps, hoods, and coronets for all occasions and portrayals.

Patterns and period fashions are gleaned from the pages of lady's periodicals such as Godeys Lady's Book and Peterson's Ladies National Magazine. We use this information to assure our customers of the timely stylishness of their purchases. Research of period photographs, books and articles, contemporary illustrations, and original surviving examples ensure the authenticity of our product.

We offer custom services to fit your personal tastes and encourage the forwarding of a fabric swatch to enable us to create a harmonious piece. Additionally, each article is adorned with some handsome vintage appointment; ie., hand-made lace, tatting, embroidery, bead work, feather sculpting, or ribbonery. Many of these once common handcrafts have disappeared over the years and the addition of our original embellishments add to the 19th century flavor of our millinery.

You are cordially invited to experience the unsurpassed quality, taste, and authenticity Victorian Millinery offers.

Spoon - The spoon bonnet was particularly attributed to the Civil War years. The brim was tall at the top, with sides curving back at the sides to form the "spoon" shape. Wide silk ribbons (3-6")called strings, were attached at each brim point and tied squarely under the chin. These were purely decorative. Smaller functional ties were attached to the inner brim to secure the bonnet to the wearers head. A gathered piece of material at the back of the bonnet called the curtain, cape , or bavolet covered the confined hair and the delicate neck.

My bonnets are hand blocked on a hand carved wooden block copied from an original milliner's block. These bonnets are formed from Panama straw ( in white, natural, cocoa, navy, and black), fur or wool felt (in loden green, emerald green, cocoa, navy , black, fawn, and white ), or buckram which may be covered in silk or velvet. Click here for sample colors. I do sell the unadorned forms for the lady with a creative passion ($75). My bonnets are trimmed with both original and vintage trims ($150 complete).

Flounced - the flounced bonnet is one of many styles that were popular in the 1850's. It is large and rounded, making it appropriate for an older or more rural woman. My flounced bonnets are completely hand fashioned using buckram and wire for the form. The lining of the crown is cotton to ease the problem of slippage due to silk linings ($150).

Drawn - The drawn or shirred bonnet is a smaller bonnet, well suited to the diminutive woman. The originals were usually silk shirred over willow. My drawn bonnets are mainly from polished cotton, or chintz in pleasing color combinations. The tip is wadded and the interior is completely lined in a contrasting color ($125).

Wide-a-wakes - This is the general term for a wide brimmed, shallow crowned hat that dips in the front and back and rolls or curves upward on the sides. If placed on a table, it would not lie flat. My wide-a-wakes can be of white or black linen or natural straw with a shallow squared or rounded crown. Click here for color samples. I usually add a tiny elastic string that is worn under the hair to secure the hat ($85-$125).

Henriette or Irving - (Godey's 1862) This hat is banded with folds of fabric and drawn through loops attached to both the crown and brim for a simple, but stylish design ($125).

Garden hat with demi-veil - This Peterson's 1862 presentation is quite stylish with the provocative lace draped from the brim ($125).

Chapeau Chinois - A new shaped hat inspired by the Chinese is presented in the Lady's Friend, 1865. It is a simple one piece straw with flowers and vines winding around the crown and down the back ($125).

Casquette - Were featured in the 1865 Lady's Friend as a small hat for the winter in velvets, furs, and feathers ($85).

Turban - This turban riding hat from 1861 Peterson's is made of moleskin, felt, and velvet. The right side is accented with a long ostrich feather and pompoms of feathers. It is attached to the head by way of rather narrow strings ($85-100).

Lounging or Polish hat - A basic pill-box design with medallion and tassel hanging over the side from center ($85). (Godey's 1865)

Riding & traveling hats - Riding hats generally were tall square-crowned hats with a tiny brim. They were worn straight on the head. The trim of feathers and rosettes emphasized the front rather than the side of the hat. Tulle or ribbon could fall from the back ($85-125).

Seashore or jardin - Garden hats are most like our picture hats. They are large-brimmed hats to keep the sun from harming the milky skin of the face. This hat from Godey's 1861 is made from a brown straw full brown feathers and a velvet ribbon ($125-150).

Glengarries - Military and ethnic influences were apparent in the fashions of the glengarry and Scottish tams. My glengarries are the kind that can be folded flat. They are fashioned from black or navy wool gaberdine. A plaid ribbon , cockade, and small feather are the appropriate trims ($85).

Novelties: Caledonian or beret - (Godey's 1862) Here we have a velvet hat resembling a beret. It is trimmed with braiding and a broom feather ($85).

Crocheted sun hat - Peterson's of 1860 presents directions for crocheting this hat. The article advises taking it to a milliner to be stiffened and pressed. A pretty ribbon tied round the crown tops this hat off ($85).

Tudor - (Godey's 1862) This hat resembles a Pork Pie as the brim is turned up to the same height as the crown. A tasseled feather gives that military touch ($85-125).

Winter Hoods - Quilted or plain, fur trimmed or plain, with a large mantle covering the shoulders ($85-125).

Slat Bonnets - A work bonnet that is particularly long in the brim, completely protecting the face from any sun exposure. The brim has slats inserted into channels to give it form and yet fold flat for storage. Large curtain for further protection ($85).

Breakfast Caps - White lace and ribbon confections to be worn indoors at breakfast ($25-50).

Afternoon Caps - (Peterson's 1865) Colors are darker as the day proceeds. Caps of this type may be worn out of the home. Younger women wear their caps on the back of the head. Older women wear frilly lappets up close to the face to hide thinning hair ($25-125).

Flowered Coronets - (Godey's 1864) Flowered coronets are popular with the young. They may be worn for a ball or a formal dinner. They are perfect for weddings ($25-50).

Diadems - (Godey's 1865) Diadems are worn as a crown. They usually have some trim trailing down the back ($50-100).

Lace Confections - Lace confections for the evening are formed with a wire spider web design ($75-150).

Opera Hoods - A voluminous hood made from a lightweight fabric to cover the coiffure without damaging it ($125).

Latticed or netted caps - ($50-110)