What type of hat would be best?

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

I recently had some noble garb designed. Now I have a finished product, but I'm not sure how to accessorize it. Which type of headpiece would work best; French Hood, riding hat, attifet, or box hat. I like all the styles but I can't decide which looks best.

Here's a link to show you what my garb looks like: http://picasaweb.google.com/oddbodkinrenshop/BeekmanDuchessSleeves#

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Being the gown has a Tudor look to it, I would suggest a French Hood with a Silk drape. Very stunning gown by the way!

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

Thank you! The bodice maker and I designed it from the very first bodice I ever bought from her.

[gem]

Which type of headpiece would work best; French Hood, riding hat, attifet, or box hat.

I've never heard of a "box hat!"  What is it?

I'm always a big fan of French hoods, but I think this ensemble would look smashing with a beaded caul and flat cap, too.

[bellevivre]

personally, I see a tall hat or riding hat with it- but then, I LOVE them!

[GirlChris]

I'm thinking by "box hat" you mean a gable hood?



And I agree with bellvivre- hooray for tall hats!

[Syrilla]

I see an Italian influence.. so beaded or ribbon caul or some such.

[dragongirl]

I would wear a gold caul and a tall blue hat with gold feathers that match.  It almost has a riding look.

[Tixi]

i immediately thought riding hat/tall hat as well

[Genievea Brookstone]

That is stunning I love that deep rich blue.

[Tixi]

i immediately thought riding hat/tall hat as well

Analytical Edit: in reviewing my initial emotional reaction to the photos, I was thinking the dress was more Elizabethan rather than early Tudor mainly due to the geometric shapes present in the bodice, and also because of the shoulder wings, which seem to have been more popular later in the century.  I don't know exactly what year french hoods fell out of favor, but it was sometime in the second half of the century.

The context of the hat with the outfit really aligns in terms of your character, activity, and ultimately personal preference:

Is this outfit more casual or formal wear?
Is this something she would wear to court vs traveling vs riding into town to see a performance vs hosting a party vs just conducting household business?
Is she well-traveled (have access to foreign influences)?
How fashionable vs. comfortable does she want to be?


here are some other ideas not yet mentioned:

a wired coif:




an attifet:

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

I appreciate everyone's advice! To answer some questions I saw posted, it was designed to be mercantile class, more casual than formal, but very much wearable to court. Pretty fashionable was something I was going for as well.

I ended up going with this one:



But I imagine I'll end up getting a riding hat to interchange with it as well.

Again, thank you all for your input!

[Celtic_Fae]

What's that kind of hat called? I want to know so I can research it's exact time period and come up with a rebuttal for any snarks I meet. I was insulted for wearing that style at my local Ren faire as being totally out of period and...I believe her exact words were: "disgustingly anachronistic, just looking at you makes the historian in me want to cry". I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it really hurt and made me feel self-conscious the rest of the day, so now I want to be prepared with the facts when I wear it again. Problem was, up until this point, I didn't know of anyone else who had one or what it was called.

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

What's that kind of hat called? I want to know so I can research it's exact time period and come up with a rebuttal for any snarks I meet. I was insulted for wearing that style at my local Ren faire as being totally out of period and...I believe her exact words were: "disgustingly anachronistic, just looking at you makes the historian in me want to cry". I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it really hurt and made me feel self-conscious the rest of the day, so now I want to be prepared with the facts when I wear it again. Problem was, up until this point, I didn't know of anyone else who had one or what it was called.

and this from someone at a ren faire in the 21st century - I would have laughed and called the person names

[Tixi]

What's that kind of hat called? I want to know so I can research it's exact time period and come up with a rebuttal for any snarks I meet. I was insulted for wearing that style at my local Ren faire as being totally out of period and...I believe her exact words were: "disgustingly anachronistic, just looking at you makes the historian in me want to cry". I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it really hurt and made me feel self-conscious the rest of the day, so now I want to be prepared with the facts when I wear it again. Problem was, up until this point, I didn't know of anyone else who had one or what it was called.

brutal! i can't believe someone would say something like that. i guess there is a bad grape in every bunch, but my goodness that is appalling.
people, especially people like her, have no place to judge.
some people just don't get it...


"oh really? how did you get to faire today? in a car?"

"so if YOU are so true to history, you probably didn't take a shower or brush your teeth in the past few weeks? you are so disgusting i don't want to cry - i want to barf!"

[Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury]

That is so rude of people!

Here is the link to where I got the hat:

http://www.dragonpipes.com/box-hat-mesh-veil.html

[CapnFayeCutler]

Looks like a pillbox hat to me. Is that what you meant by box hat?

Love it,btw!

[NoBill Lurker]

What's that kind of hat called? I want to know so I can research it's exact time period and come up with a rebuttal for any snarks I meet. I was insulted for wearing that style at my local Ren faire as being totally out of period and...I believe her exact words were: "disgustingly anachronistic, just looking at you makes the historian in me want to cry". I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it really hurt and made me feel self-conscious the rest of the day, so now I want to be prepared with the facts when I wear it again. Problem was, up until this point, I didn't know of anyone else who had one or what it was called.

Kathryn, the next time some one is that rude to you, just smile sweetly then spray them with a little mace!