Straw Forms

In the nineteenth century, straw bonnets were a common choice in warm weather.  Visible in the fashion plates from March through November, Godey's repeatedly recommends Leghorn straw for early spring bonnets and more open straws for later in the season.  The popular plaits included split straw, horsehair, and many others.    Straw fabric existed, but plait bonnets were much more common.  Straw bonnets were available in a variety of colors with natural, black, and white being the most popular shades.  For further information on straw bonnets, check out Anna Worden's booklet From Field to Fashion.

We create our forms from flat plait rather than straw fabric.  Any of our styles are available machine sewn, blocked wired, and bound in hemp plait for $85.  The plait looks most like the original plait used to construct the horse hair high brimmed bonnet in our collection.  To purchase, follow the link below desired form to the individual bonnet page.

 

 
1840's Forms 
        
Arabella Grace
1850's Straw Forms
      
Flora Francine Mid 1850's circle
Flora Francine Late 1850's Oval
     
Flora Francine Late 1850's Circle 
1860's Straw Forms 
    
1860's Lavinia Ruth 
    
1860's Eliza Coretta Circle 
      
Eliza Coretta Early High Brimmed Bonnet 
   
Mildred Augusta Late High Brimmed Bonnet 


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