Date: Sat, 2 Nov 1996 20:58:46 -1000
From: Margo Anderson
Subject: Re: Need brocaded material, ca 1450+Hennin questions.
>HA>HENNINS
>HA>Are there any excavated hennins? If so, where can I read about them?
>HA>I have heard that a metal cap of some sort was worn underneath, is this
>HA>true? How, in that case, was it constructed?
>HA>I would also be very thankful for tips on good ways to fasten a
>HA>hennin,(I've got short hair).
>
> I have not heard of any of the above, a good way to attach a hennin is
>get
>small clear hair combs from a beauty supply store, and sew them to the
>inside
>of the front edge. Little ribbon loops on the inside the rest of the
>way around
>for hooking bobbypins into will help hold down the rest.
>
Yes, but the combs will slide right out of short hair UNLESS: you make
small, flat pincurls with two crossed bobbypins, then slide the combs under
the curl. This was one of the first costume tips I ever aquired, from my
ballet teacher when I was six and my mom had trouble anchoring my recital
headpiece to my Pixie cut.
I've also had good luck with putting a pair of pantyhose on my head,
wrapping and tying the legs around (no, not over the face!) and using them
as a base to fasten the hennin with pearl headed corsage pins.
Margo Anderson
"One Tough Costumer"
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Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 09:04:41 -1000
From: Nancee Beattie
Subject: Re: Hennin questions.
What goes under a hennin is a mystery. The metal cap you mention is more
likely a wire headband (with a wire loop in front) that goes around the head
at the hairline. I have seen ladies in 15th-century manuscripts wearing
these headbands. Some say that these headbands are the foundation to which
a hennin is attached (leaving only the little forehead loop showing).
Others say that they are a separate fashion, and that the little loop
visible on a hennin is an integral part of its structure. Which is true? I
wish I could tell you. Maybe both are true.
With long hair twisted tightly in a bun on the top of the head, a hennin
will stay in place without pins of any kind (provided it fits). Because I
have enough hair to twist into a bun, I can easily remove my hennins and put
them back on at any time (which comes in handy whenever people approach me
to find out how it's made). I figure that most 15th-century women had
enough hair to bun up (it doesn't take much--my hair is very fine, and about
shoulder-blade length).
If your hair is short, the little wire headband (two rows of wire about 3/4"
apart, with a little loop, front and center) might not be a bad idea. The
headband would stay on snugly, and the hennin could be attached to the
headband. The headband could also hold back bangs to give a more period
appearance. I have also recommended those stretch-comb headbands to hold
back shorter hair. A comb sewn into the hat, then anchored in crossed bobby
pins attached to the hair is also a great idea.
Hennins are generally lighter than they look--even if they're wired for
structure. If anyone knows of any books showing extant hennins, let me know.
Nancee
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