Chaperon (headgear)

The chaperon, as a headgear item, refers to a form of hood, initially a practical garment worn by both men and women in medieval Europe. It evolved over time from a simple hood attached to a short cape (a cotte) into an increasingly elaborate and fashionable hat.

The earliest form of chaperon was a functional hood providing warmth and protection from the elements. It covered the head and neck, often extending over the shoulders. The face could be framed or more fully enclosed depending on the design.

Later, the tail (the liripipe) of the hood was lengthened, eventually becoming a decorative feature. The cape-like section also evolved, sometimes being extended and scalloped. The face opening could be arranged and pinned in various ways, leading to different styles and silhouettes.

By the 15th century, the chaperon had transformed into a complex and highly fashionable headwear. The face opening was often placed on top of the head, and the liripipe and cape-like section were arranged around the head in elaborate folds and drapes. These were often stuffed to maintain their shape. Different colors and fabrics were used, and the chaperon became a status symbol reflecting wealth and fashion awareness. Different methods of wearing and arranging the chaperon signified different messages, such as a particular guild or fashion preference. The use of dagges or scalloping along the edges of the fabric further personalized the headwear.

The chaperon eventually fell out of fashion in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, being replaced by other forms of headwear. However, its evolution illustrates the changing nature of fashion and the ways in which practical garments can be adapted into complex and symbolic items of clothing.