Mob cap

Mob cap
Simple American bonnet or "mob cap", in a portrait by Benjamin Greenleaf, 1805

A mob cap or mob-cap is a round, gathered or pleated cloth (usually linen) bonnet consisting of a caul to cover the hair, a frilled or ruffled brim, and (often) a ribbon band, worn by married women in the Georgian period, when it was called a "bonnet". Originally an informal style, the bonnet became a high-fashion item as part of the adoption of simple "country" clothing in the later 18th century. It was an indoor fashion, and was worn under a hat for outdoor wear. During the French Revolution, the name "Mob Cap" caught on because of the poor women who were involved in the riots wore them, but they had been in style for middle class and even aristocracy since the century began.

By the Victorian period, mob caps lingered as the head covering of servants and nurses, and small mob caps, not covering the hair, remained part of these uniforms into the early 20th century.

Modern versions of mob caps are still worn in the medical industry, in cleanrooms, and in other sectors where the hair has to be contained. These mob caps are usually a simple circle shape with an elastic band and may be made of disposable materials such as spunbound polypropylene or of nylon netting.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mob cap — noun (historical) A woman s indoor morning cap with puffy crown, a broad band, and frills • • • Main Entry: ↑mob * * * mob cap UK US noun [countable] [singular mob cap plural …   Useful english dictionary

  • mob-cap — (n.) a type of woman s indoor cap, 1795 (as simply mob, 1748), from CAP (Cf. cap) (n.) + obsolete mob (n.) negligent attire (1660s), earlier a strumpet (earlier form mab, 1550s), related to obsolete verb mob to tousle the hair, to dress untidily… …   Etymology dictionary

  • mob|cap — «MOB KAP», noun. a large, loose cap, fitting down over the ears, originally worn indoors by women in the 1700 s and early 1800 s. ╂[< obsolete mob an indoor cap + cap] …   Useful english dictionary

  • mob cap — n [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: Probably from mab, mob prostitute, careless dress (16 18 centuries), from the female name Mab, from Mabel] a light cotton hat with a decorative edge, worn by women in the 18th and 19th centuries …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • mob cap — mob ,cap noun count a white cotton hat worn by women in the past …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • mob cap — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms mob cap : singular mob cap plural mob caps a white cotton hat worn by women in the past …   English dictionary

  • mob cap — noun /ˈmɒb kap/ A plain cap or headdress for women or girls, especially one tied under the chin by a very broad band. She was dressed entirely in flowing black cerements and wore a little lacy mob cap on a mass of dead looking yellowish white… …   Wiktionary

  • mob-cap — n. hist. a woman s large indoor cap covering all the hair, worn in the 18th and early 19th c. Etymology: obs. (18th c.) mob, orig. = slut + CAP …   Useful english dictionary

  • mob-cap — /ˈmɒb kæp/ (say mob kap) noun Obsolete a large, full cap fitting down over the ears, formerly much worn indoors by women …  

  • mob cap — noun a large, soft indoor hat covering the hair, worn by women in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Origin C18 (orig. in the sense prostitute , later négligé ): mob, var. of obs. mab slut …   English new terms dictionary

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