Bonnet, a covering for the head, of which there are many varieties. The French, from whom we have the word, apply it as we do to male as well as female head-dress. The bonnet rouge, or 'cap of liberty' of the revolution, was shaped like a man's night-cap (bonnet de nuit). A felt cap of this shape, such as was worn by the Phrygians, was amongst the Romans the emblem of liberty, and was assumed by slaves when manumitted. The English bonnet of former times was made of cloth, silk, or velvet, more or less ornamented. It was generally superseded by the hat in the early part of the 16th century; but in Scotland, bonnets were commonly worn for two centuries later. The genuine old bonnet of the Lowland Scottish peasantry was of a broad, round, flat shape, overshadowing the face and neck, and of a dark-blue colour, excepting a red tuft on the top. The fabric was thick milled woollen, without seam or lining, and exceedingly durable. No head-dress ever invented could stand so much rough usage. This 'braid bonnet' very closely resembles the bonnet Bearnaise, or béret Basque, of the south of France. From its having been worn, till comparatively late times, by small rural proprietors, these came to be called Bonnet Lairds. The Highlanders have long worn bonnets of the same fabric, but these generally rise to a point in front, with ribbons hanging down behind. Such is the cap known as the Glengarry Bonnet. The Balmoral is flat, and is liker the Lowland bonnet. From time immemorial, these various kinds of Scotch bonnets have been manufactured at Stewarton and Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire. Except in the case of cavalry regiments, the Glengarry bonnet is in almost universal use as an undress cap in the British army and amongst the auxiliary forces.
Ladies' Bonnets.—Those made of the fine stunted wheat straw, grown for the purpose in Tuscany, and called Leghorn and Tuscan bonnets, are everywhere known to the female world. These have formed an important trade in that province for nearly two centuries. Split-straw plait and bonnets formed of it are made on a large scale at Luton and Dunstable (see STRAW MANUFACTURES). Willow-clip bonnets are made extensively in the neighbourhood of Modena. Bonnets, partly or entirely, of richer materials, such as horsehair, crape, velvet, and satin, with trimmings of feathers, lace, and artificial flowers, are made on a great scale in Paris. It is there that all novelties are created, and the annual value of its millinery exceeds a million sterling.