What does one do on a sunny, cool morning when a hat isn’t dry? A veil light study of course.
My uber scientific method includes a straw bonnet with a deep brim, a stand, camera and assorted original and reproduction veils. Put bonnet on stand. Drape bonnet with veil. Slide camera up underneath. Take photos. While this doesn’t give an exact reflection of what light control the wearer feels,it is a start.
The backyard without a veil.
Original hat veil. Fiber undetermined.
Black silk gauze, made by me
White silk gauze, made by Bevin.
Original silk net with light dots.
Silk net trimmed in lace made by me.
When I unwrapped the one antique veil, I realized I have another somewhere in the house.I don’t know where. Hopefully, I was good and put it in one of the archival boxes with the winter bonnets. When I find it, I will try to replicate the photos, but the sun will be different.
Another in would have liked to photograph through is Bevin’s green silk gauze veil.
Personal Observations
So far, I think I prefer the black silk gauze. I will have to wear both the gauze and the net a few more times to be sure. The gauze seems to soften the light more. The net seems to be a shade for the light. The white gauze softens some in low sun light. But, in bright sunlight it creates glare. The silk net has notably more body than the original, which is nearly as soft as the gauze. I was much more aware of it feel wise when I first put it on, compared to the gauze. The net was less disturbed, moved by the wind when I walked.
The photos suggest more obscuring of vision than I find to be the case when wearing them.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
Leave a Reply