1840s 'Fashion of Sombre and Wilting Demureness' Byron's Muse 1830s Romantic Era Bonnet White Cotton With Flower and Ribbon Trim. Etsy Finland Old Fashioned Dresses Old Dress Styles Historical Peasant Woman Outfit: Unboned Stays, Bumroll & Corded Petticoat Sew Historically In the mid 19th century, little girls wore bonnets mainly for practicality and tradition. The bonnets protected them from the sun and were seen as a proper part of a young girl's outfit.