Bonnet 1883 - 1887

This bonnet, made by Aitken Son & Company, showcases a mix of traditional millinery techniques and mass-produced materials. The bonnet is constructed from a complex interplay of textiles, including beaded lace, ribbon, and silk netting. The combination of handwork and factory-made elements speaks to the changing landscape of fashion production at the time. The lace, meticulously beaded, hints at skilled labor, while the uniform ribbons suggest industrial manufacturing. Its shape relies on subtle tailoring and the careful arrangement of the stiffened textiles. The labor and the skilled tradition of lacemaking contrasts with the commercial and consumerist demands of the fashion industry. The bonnet is an object caught between worlds, reflecting the wearer's aspirations to status and taste. Ultimately, considering the labor and materials that went into making this bonnet allows us to appreciate the complex social and economic forces that shaped even the most seemingly decorative objects.