POKE BONNET

hood-shaped hat tied under the chin, with a small crown at the back and a wide projecting front brim that shaded the face. It became fashionable at the beginning of the 19th century and was worn by women and children of all ages. The size of the poke bonnet increased until, in 1830, a woman's face could not be seen except from directly in front. After Queen Victoria's accession, in 1837, romantic dress designs were abandoned for more subdued and modest effects. The poke bonnet adorned with flowers and ribbons and fitting closely around the face came to mark the height of prudery. The fashion for small hats, which began in the 1860s, brought the era of the poke bonnet to an end.