Head-Coverings

(Left) Elizabeth is wearing the most significant style of this period—the cap with a tubular braid-casing bound with a ribbon, down the back. For ladies with short hair, it gives the appearance of long hair. A lock of real hair or horse hair can add to the illusion. It can be held on by a roundlet or a ribbon tied around the forehead. Net caps, sheer hoods, cloth hoods, cauls, veils, bonnets were all worn. Straw or felt hats much like somberos were worn to shade the face from the sun.

(Right) Sheila Benjamin is wearing a long headscarf (toca de camino) of fine India cotton with a woven gold metalic trim. It could also be linen with a macrame trim. It was draped over the head when travelling. A modest woman would pull her scarf over her face when out in public.

BONNETS

A bonnet was a hat made of velvet or felt. Often decorated with jewels, gold and feathers, it was worn over a cap or caul.

(Right) Jackie Shaffer is wearing a linen head wrap worn by servants and peasant women.

STRAW HATS

Wide-brimmed, straw hats were worn to shade the face from the hot Andalusian sun.

SLEEVES

Sleeves are discussed as a separate garment because during this time-period they attatched to the bodice with laces. Sleeves varied from tight fitting to loose flowing styles. They were paned, puffed, slashed, pleated and even made in two parts with the cap laced to the bodice and with a separate cuff on the forearm. Sleeves were one of the interesting way to change a dress style and ladies often gave each other sleeves as gifts.