A popular feature of Edwardian hats was a veil that covered the face. This face veil was used as a beautifier and to protect the face from the sun.
‘The veil distinctly lends enchantment to the view by “half-revealing, half-conceiling” the face underneath. It is wonderful how one of these veils […] can transform a plain countenance.’ (Evening Star, 1906) ‘The friendly little bit of nothing hides behind its meshy formation every speckle, freckle and imperfection of the complexion. They are not veils; they are beautifiers’ (The Courier, 1901).
Edwardian hat veils were made of silk chiffon, cotton bobbinet tulle or real lace like Chantilly lace. One or one and a half yard was needed for an Edwardian hat veil. The veil was attached to the brim of the hat with decorative veil pins or clasps and removed again at the end of the day.
Edwardian Hat Veils
Expensive Edwardian Veils
‘One is inclined to ask which is more important, the hat or the veil, since this wispy scarf is coiled about the headpiece until its contour becomes vague and indistinct. Besides, in many cases the veil is quite as expensive as the hat’ (The Minneapolis Journal, 1905). ‘Veil modes change even more often than hats’ (The Colorado Statesman, 1905).
How Much Fabric Do You Need For An Edwardian Hat Veil?
‘For a small hat a yard of veiling is needed; for a large one a yard and a half […] If the veil is to be very long the front is first gathered by those who want a full hang. In gathered veils nearly a quarter of a yard should be added to the length. The ends of a veil can always be trimmed with lace and made to serve as an ornament upon the back of the hat.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1898)
Edwardian Hat Veils Made Of Silk Chiffon And Lace
‘Though chiffon veils have been worn in past seasons […] what is practically new this summer is the lace veil which looks as though it belonged in a trousseau of forty years ago. The Chantilly lace veils with their cobweb-like borders of roses and leaves are the most popular. […] They are usually about a yard and a half long, with an elaborate border around one edge and both ends. The plain edge is softly draped around the hat brim with the veil hanging straight down from the edge of the brim. These Chantilly veils come in white, cream and black’ (Evening Star, 1906).
‘For afternoon wear and smart functions and theaters, one sees elaborate face veils and those of fancy nets.’ (The Minneapolis Journal, 1905) ‘With an afternoon hat a large veil of lace, or plain-meshed tulle with a fancy border […] [or] net […] should be draped around the crown and arranged loosely, so that it may be thrown back easily when desired.’ (The Lace County Times, 1907) ‘Veils are finished […] on three sides, and when gathered up at the back fall in a short cascade.’ (The Colorado Statesman, 1905)
How To Put On A Veil
‘There is the veil for general wear and which is thrown over the hat and lifted with studied carelessness. It is fastened here and there upon the brim with fancy pins, which can be taken out if the veil is lowered.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1904)
‘The art of putting on a veil belongs to the Paris woman, for it is only she who can drape a veil exactly as it should be. The art of putting on a veil is to catch it securely when drawing it across the face. Nothing is uglier than a veil which pinches the skin and nothing more slovenly than the one which is falling off.
The first rule given by a Paris milliner to her patron is to fasten the veil in front before pinning it on the sides. Beautiful little jeweled pins come for this purpose, and the veil is caught upon the hat brim with the handsomest pin that one can find. If the the hat brim is very large the veil is again fastened at the sides, always to the very brim of the hat.
The ends are again brought back to the side and are twisted under the hat brim out of sight; or maybe, if the veil is very handsome, the ends are tied and are thus made to form a part of the hat decoration.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1898)
Related: The Edwardian Motoring Girl
Edwardian Veil Pins
‘For holding in place the folds of veils and scarfs, gorgeous buckles and various oddly shaped pins are being employed. French brilliants […] Art nouveau pins and buckles with pendants […] Tortoise shell hair pins studded in jewels are a fad to wear with lace veils.’ (The Minneapolis Journal, 1905)
‘One of the prettiest of veil pins is the long buckle which is fastened at the back of the veil. This has a pin underneath, so that the buckle is only a bluff […] Great pins, round and as big as door plates, are worn on the backs of veils, and in many instances these are so heavy that they are pinned fast to the hair or to the hat.
Or the veil is fastened with several short hat pins, which are stuck in the back of the veil in such a manner as to display them nicely. They should, of course, match the jewelry of the gown.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1904)
‘Beautiful veil pins are seen this year in the form of strange birds. To pin the veil, you pinch the wings of the bird together.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1898)
How To Secure A Veil With Combs
The veil is ‘worn pinned neatly to the hair in the back or caught in the barette.’ (The Lace County Times, 1907) ‘Very large combs are used, and these are of great assistance in holding the veil in place, as well as in keeping on the hat. The comb is firmly set in the back braid before the hat is put on. The hat is then pressed against it and set well in place before the hat pins are driven in. The veil is put on last, and its ends are securely tucked behind the tall comb.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1898)
Ready-Made Veils With Clasps
‘In France […] veils are sold already made up with strong clasps to fasten them together at the back. It is then but a moment’s work to adjust them over the brim of a hat securely and does away with the fuss and bother of pinning every time they are put on. […] no veil is really correct without some kind of a border on one edge at least, which enables it to fall in finished fashion straight from the brim of the chapeau’ (Evening Star, 1906).
Two Or More Veils
‘It is said that no really modish woman will go out without at least two veils […] the first veil as a hat trimming […] a handsome lace veil, falling over the complexion’ (The San Francisco Call, 1904).
Shirred Veil
‘The old-fashioned shirred veils are in style, The veil, which is fastened upon a shir string, is carried around the brim of the hat and the string is fastened at the back.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1904)
How To Wear A Veil In The Continental Fashion
‘The Continental fashion of wearing a veil which drops to the waistline in back, has been accepted only by those who adopt ultra fashionable modes’ (The Minneapolis Journal, 1905).
How To Refashion An Old Hat With A Hat Veil
‘Chiffon veil comes to the rescue [of] the Injured Summer Hat. For it may be arranged to cover the entire hat’ (Evening Star, 1906). ‘Old hats, the hats of last summer, can be rejuvenated by the proper use of the lace veil. If draped around the brim and fastened at the back so as to fall in long tabs, each tab finished with a wide strip of lace, the hat will be quite up to date.’ (The San Francisco Call, 1904)
Remove The Hat Veil Every Evening
‘Never leave a veil tied round a hat, for it soon becomes stretched, limp and soiled looking. Unpin it when the hat is removed, shake it, take it at the two ends and roll it round and round, then place away in a box or piece of tissue paper.’ (Los Angeles Herald, 1907)