The Easter Bonnet By LorraineCooper

 
The wearing of Easter bonnets stems back to the middle ages, where those who had been baptised would wear new clothes to indicate their belief in the resurrection and new life of Christ. During this period, people in their new Easter clothes would take a long walk after attending church on Easter Sunday, and this tradition gradually evolved into Easter Parades and the wearing of "Easter Bonnets."

Easter is one of the great festivals of the year. It is full of customs, folklore and traditional food. It used to also be a traditional day for getting married; giving rise to the opportunity for new clothes. The women would wear special bonnets decorated with flowers and ribbons. These bonnets where originally referred to as spring bonnets. Women would consider it a matter of pride to buy a new bonnet for Easter, the frillier and more luxurious the better. Later it appears that new Easter clothes symbolised the end of Lent. During Lent, many Christians deny themselves luxuries. So when Lent ended, going out and buying an Easter bonnet was an enjoyable way to greet Easter. Spring time in general represents an end of the deprivations and restrictions of winter. Afterwards, the bonnet would sometimes be used as a basket in which the Easter bunny would leave his eggs or to collect the eggs during the traditional Easter egg hunt.

Easter parades also gave people an opportunity to demonstrate their imagination and creativity by making weird, wonderful and outlandish hats. These were often amazing to look at, even if highly impractical to wear!

In the latter part of the twentieth century the custom of wearing Easter bonnets rather declined. However there have been recent signs of a possible revival with many people today buying bonnets for themselves or their children.


The bonnets shown here are very similar to the Easter bonnets worn in Georgian; Edwardian and Victorian times ranging from the elaborate to a simple straw hat. Obviously the wealthier the lady the more elaborate the hat or bonnet would be!


The bonnets shown here have been handmade by Stephanie Sharland and are available to buy from Lorraine Miniatures: www.lorraineminiatures.com and can be worn by 1:12th Scale dolls.