No practical purpose? For formal occasions, lappets or a lappet cap framed the face. Think of them as a frame. It appears to me that even in Medieval times people wore caps. In part, because of the difficulty of caring for their hair, usually uncut. Especially washing it. Not everyone had servants. In portraits, we see them at their best. Even photos of 19th C. lacemakers lined up in small villages for the camera show an effort to look as nice as possible for posterity. But... Think back just a little. Special ways of braiding the hair and tucking it under something pretty and clean was a solution. People did not have hot water delivered by showers until post-World War 2. They rarely bathed, by our standards. Hair care was labor-intensive. Ladies wore hats when they went out of the home well into the mid-20th C. A turban style could cover it all ! If you wish to re-establish the wearing of lace lappets, caps and hats - lace designers have written books containing instructions for making them. Sounds like fun. Best of all, you will be wearing lace. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center -------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 2/7/2017 5:48:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: I can't figure any practical purpose for them with or without a hat. They should be honored for their longevity, if nothing else. What other non-jewelry ornament has remained stylish for so long? Were separate lace collars and cuffs around as long as lappets?
Jean Reardon - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
