Vintage Fashion Guild
  • Home
  • Membership
  • Member Directory
  • Support the VFG
  • About
  • Contact
Vintage Fashion Guild
  • Resources
    • Label Resource
      • A to Z Listing
      • Introduction & Terms of Use
      • Bibliography
    • Fabric Resource
      • A to Z Listing
      • Determining Fiber
      • Manufactured Fibers Timeline
      • Fabric "Looks Like"
      • Fabric by Fiber
      • Fabric by Use
      • Guide & Terms of Use
      • Bibliography & Acknowledgements
    • Fashion Timeline
    • Fur Resource
      • Introduction & Terms of Use
    • Lingerie Resource
    • Hat Resource
    • Wedding Resource
  • Articles
    • VFG Member Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Care and Cleaning
    • Buying & Selling
      • Quick Tips for Dating Vintage
      • How to Buy Vintage Clothing
      • Clothing Measurement Charts
      • Clothing Condition Chart
    • Featured Designers
    • Garment & Item Specifics
    • Innovation & Techniques
    • Regional Style & Stores
    • Trends & Genres
  • DONATE
  • Forum
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
    • Support Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Join
    • Why Join?
    • VFG Code of Practice
    • Apply for Membership
    • VFG Member Directory
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Hat Resource
  • Veil

Veil

Feb 25, 2017 | by admin | Hat Resource | Articles

A veil is a piece of cloth that covers the head and/or the face. It can be opaque, semi-sheer, or sheer and is mainly worn by women.

The veil is mentioned in ancient texts such as the Bible and Assyrian writings, which mention its use by noblewomen. Veils are also depicted in classical Greek sculpture and Roman women wore veils to symbolize their husbands’ authority. Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman married women wore veils covering the entire head and neck up to the chin. This type of veiling became less common during the Tudor period as hoods became more popular.

Sheer veils have been worn for many years as symbols of mourning, often draped over and pinned to hats. Veils have also been worn to hide the identity of women travelers or as elements of film noir to add mystery to the femme fatale character. They may also be used to protect the hair and skin from sun, wind, and dust.

Probably the most common use of veils is during weddings, to symbolize a bride’s purity. Lifting the veil after exchanging vows ceremoniously reveals the bride’s beauty not only to her groom but also to the guests.

Veils on hats have of course been common for many centuries and are still worn today. This type of veil is typically made of a sheer netting and is not meant to hide the face, even if it is worn pulled down.

Written by TheSpectrum


1830 silk veil  - Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1830 silk veil
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1835 silk veil  - Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1835 silk veil
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1840s cotton veil  - Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1840s cotton veil
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
late 1800s French veil  - Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
late 1800s French veil
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1950s bridal veil -  Courtesy of vintagedevotion
1950s bridal veil
Courtesy of vintagedevotion
1960s pearl wedding veil  - Courtesy of dorotheascloset
1960s pearl wedding veil
Courtesy of dorotheascloset
← previous next →

Question or Comment? Enter it below.

Donate & shop (paid links)

  • Donate button
  • Shop VFG Members Etsy button
  • Shop VFG Members eBay button
  • Amazon shop button
  • Zazzle shop button

VFG Resources

  • Label button
  • Fabric button
  • Lingerie button
  • Fur button
  • Timeline button
  • Hat button
  • Wedding button
  • Care & cleaning button
  • Tips & tricks button

Follow us

Membership

Shop VFG
Why Join
Code of Practice
Apply for Membership

Shop Member Stores

VFG Member Directory
VFG Amazon Shop
VFG Member Books
VFG Book Reviews
VFG on Etsy
VFG on eBay
VFG on Ruby Lane

Resources

The Time Line
Label Resource
Fabric Resource
Lingerie Resource
Fur & Exotics Resource
Hat Resource

Shortcuts

Vintage Inspiration
The VFG Blog
Ways to Say Thank You
About
Contact
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

This website and its content including text and images is © copyright Vintage Fashion Guild™ 2023 - All rights reserved
design © 2023 lucid crew
DMCA.com Protection Status