Bonnets are all the fashion and all the rage in the mid-1850s. They are in all the fashion plates and engravings, but when walking the streets of Dickens they are sadly rare. Do people no longer care about being fashionable? Dear me, let us hope otherwise.

Perhaps, some people just have a crazy future forward fashion sense and don't realize how charming and utterly fabulous bonnets are. Or maybe they would love to wear a bonnet, but cannot seem to find a milliner that carries that particular bonnet.

So, to help remedy the bonnet shortage in a small way, I have figured out how to convert straw hats into bonnets and am offering a small number of them at a discounted price of $40 each to participants or Dickens Fair regulars.

"Straw?!" You say. "Straw isn't built to last." How true, but then a bonnet made of bricks would be very tiring to wear.

"Are those artificial flowers made in China?" Maybe. But please don't buy a bonnet in hopes that licking the flowers will bring about some sort of date rape drug trance. And yes, the trims may get dinged and/or fall off especially if you try to use the bonnet to catch fish or if fishy sorts of men accidentally sit upon them.

"But what will the colors look like in Dickens light?" Good question.

"$40?! Forget that, I could make it myself." Ah, very good idea. Here are images of the steps to create one yourself: http://www.kimyasuda.com/costumes/strawbonnet.html.

Bonnets $40/each

Straw hat base covered with lace and fabric. Trimmed with artificial flowers and feathers. 4" ribbon ties. Some sewing was involved with the rest hot glued.

If you'd like to purchase one of these bonnets, please let me know which one and message your name and fair name. I plan to be at Dickens Fair this Saturday December 8th.

1. Jade and Red. Straw bonnet covered with jade no wale corderoy with red 4" ribbon, black lace front, red carnations, red holiday pick, and red feather.

2. Charcoal and Lilac. Straw bonnet covered with charcoal gray/black cotton velvet with black lace front, lilac 4" ribbon, pink and white floral on inside brim, grape pick, and purplish feather.

3. Charcoal and Red. Straw bonnet covered with charcoal gray/black cotton velvet with black lace front, red 4" ribbon, red rose, red feather and red roses on inside brim.

4. Charcoal and Silver. Straw bonnet covered with charcoal gray/black cotton velvet with black lace front, silver 4" ribbon, white feathers, blue/purple flowers, and purple floral on the inside brim.