How did the mantilla become popular in the United States?

[Brandon_Cal]

The first time I ever saw a mantilla worn was in 1951 in Spain. Not surprising given that the mantilla is Spanish. I had been to a handful of Catholic nuptial masses in the United States before then and I don’t recall seeing a single mantilla; American women wore hats or head scarves. Now with the resurgence of the E.F. you see more Catholic women reviving the practice of head covering, but curiously it seems the mantilla is now the mode of head covering par excellence. How was the mantilla introduced to the US and how do we account for its popularity?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Apparently Jacqueline Kennedy had a big influence in the 1960s:

 

[phil19034]

The first time I ever saw a mantilla worn was in 1951 in Spain. Not surprising given that the mantilla is Spanish. I had been to a handful of Catholic nuptial masses in the United States before then and I don’t recall seeing a single mantilla; American women wore hats or head scarves. Now with the resurgence of the E.F. you see more Catholic women reviving the practice of head covering, but curiously it seems the mantilla is now the mode of head covering par excellence. How was the mantilla introduced to the US and how do we account for its popularity?

It wasn’t just Spanish. Many other Catholic cultures used it too. Perhaps not as decorative, but that kind of head covering was worn.

When head coverings were required in the United States, most American Catholics where focused more on fitting in with American culture vs foreign cultures. American culture was based on English culture, and in England they used hats (even though most of English culture was not Catholic).

Today, with the EF; most of the people who attend are not focused on fitting in with American culture. The EF today is very much countercultural. So a Catholic attending the EF mass is most likely to wish to embrace a Catholic Culture vs Secular/ American culture.

The mantilla is very much so from an influence from a “Catholic Culture” vs the hat which more of an influence of American, English, Protestant, Secular culture.

God bless

 

[pianistclare]

We Spanish have worn one fir eons.Jackie Kennedy had little to do with it. Everyone that visited the Vatican got handed one if they didn’t bring a proper headcovering back then. They snapped her picture. Big deal.it’s a cultural thing. For many cultures. My mom had dozens of them for herself and her daughters. So glad I no longer need one. I treasure them because of mama. But I won’t wear one again. Too distracting. I’m not a hat or scarf person either.

 

[Jeanne_S]

We Spanish have worn one fir eons.Jackie Kennedy had little to do with it. Everyone that visited the Vatican got handed one if they didn’t bring a proper headcovering back then. They snapped her picture. Big deal.it’s a cultural thing. For many cultures. My mom had dozens of them for herself and her daughters. So glad I no longer need one. I treasure them because of mama. But I won’t wear one again. Too distracting. I’m not a hat or scarf person either.

I remember wearing a lace chapel cap as they were called.This was in the mid sixties.Small circle of lace that was hair pinned to the top of the head. Where I grew up these seemed more the preference than a mantilla,beautiful though they were(are) I don’t recall seeing many women wearing them.

 

[Neofight]

It may have been more of a generation thing than a regional, or even Catholic thing.

When I was a kid, the women wore head covers to church, either a mantilla or a hat or shawl of some type, to Lutheran services. Perhaps it was how things were done in all liturgical or high church denominations.

I think much (NOTICE I DID NOT SAY ALL) of the resurgence is not a matter of reverence, but simply a matter of fashion, in that it is viewed as retro-chic.

 

[Belshazzar]

I think wearing a fancy and festive mantilla sort of defeats the purpose of why they are to be worn in the first place, which is out of reverence and humbleness. They have become VERY popular in our parish, almost to the point where a certain group of ladies could well be dubbed the “Mantilla Committee.” It seems to be more of a fashion statement these days than anything else.

I recall my mom who grew up with 8 sisters telling me that they only had a few of them in their household which were worn by the oldest girls. The younger ones would have to take a Kleenex tissue from the vestibule of the Church, unfold it and bobby- pin them on their head. Now that’s humility!

 

[pianistclare]

I think wearing a fancy and festive mantilla sort of defeats the purpose of why they are to be worn in the first place, which is out of reverence and humbleness. They have become VERY popular in our parish, almost to the point where a certain group of ladies could well be dubbed the “Mantilla Committee.” It seems to be more of a fashion statement these days than anything else.

I recall my mom who grew up with 8 sisters telling me that they only had a few of them in their household which were worn by the oldest girls. The younger ones would have to take a Kleenex tissue from the vestibule of the Church, unfold it and bobby- pin them on their head. Now that’s humility!

Or humiliating. The nuns used to make the poor kids do that. I wouldn’t be caught without one in my desk just in case. I don’t remember the practice fondly ay all. People have a rather romantic notion about them. But it was never explained to us that it about humility. It was just a rule.

 

[Returner]

I see only one lady wearing one in church on sunday.
It baffled me when I first saw her wearing it.

 

[katy]

I do think Jackie Kennedy had something to do with it in the USA. Hats were the thing to wear before that. They were just part of the outfit when you went someplace special. I wasn’t Catholic then, but knew headcovering for women was required and guys were supposed to not wear them. My understanding was that the requirement had to do with Paul’s statement in one of his letters. Many Episcopalian women wore them also.
Hats began to go out of style gradually in the 60s. Jackie Kennedy’s adoption of the mantilla provided a culturally acceptable alternative. Eventually the whole concept disappeared.
I don’t concern myself with head coverings; it is a distraction for me. I respect the decision and don’t question the motives of those who chose otherwise.

 

[Bonnie]

Apparently Jacqueline Kennedy had a big influence in the 1960s:

I asked the same question quite a while back & no one who replied had clue. This makes sense - Mrs Kennedy was a real trendsetter back then. I remember wishing I could have a pillbox hat - I must have been about 6 or 7.

 

[ProVobis]

When head coverings were required in the United States, most American Catholics where focused more on fitting in with American culture vs foreign cultures. American culture was based on English culture, and in England they used hats (even though most of English culture was not Catholic).

At the last Royal Wedding, it seems that the hats ladies wore stole the show.

 

[BartholomewB]

A neatly folded mantilla occupies virtually no space at all in a pocket or purse. This practical aspect of the question probably has something to do with it.

It doesn’t answer the question of why women have gone back to covering their heads at mass. But if they’re going to wear a head covering at all, then a mantilla is a practical choice.

 

[Bonnie]

It doesn’t answer the question of why women have gone back to covering their heads at mass. But if they’re going to wear a head covering at all, then a mantilla is a practical choice.

I don’t think that question was asked.

But it’s probably a combination of things: the popularity of Amish & Mennonite culture, Plain Catholics, people remembering the past with nostalgia, and wanting to do something that will show a separation from the predominate culture. I mention these things because they were all a part of my decision making. My covering is very practical, a Jewish-style kerchief. It covers a multitude of hair styling sins.

 

[zab]

It wasn’t just Spanish. Many other Catholic cultures used it too. Perhaps not as decorative, but that kind of head covering was worn.

When head coverings were required in the United States, most American Catholics where focused more on fitting in with American culture vs foreign cultures. American culture was based on English culture, and in England they used hats (even though most of English culture was not Catholic).

Today, with the EF; most of the people who attend are not focused on fitting in with American culture. The EF today is very much countercultural. So a Catholic attending the EF mass is most likely to wish to embrace a Catholic Culture vs Secular/ American culture.

The mantilla is very much so from an influence from a “Catholic Culture” vs the hat which more of an influence of American, English, Protestant, Secular culture.

God bless

Nice try . The mantilla was very much a fashion thing that was caught on in the '60’s and yes, Jackie Kennedy had a lot to do with it. And like someone else posted, not only was it attractive, but it was practical and could easily fit in a girl’s pocket or pocket book. And it did not mess up the teased up hair!
Talking about culture, I came from French and German ancestry. I was more familiar with the German side and head scarves seemed to be the covering most suitable to that culture.

 

[zab]

Nice try . The mantilla was very much a fashion thing that was caught on in the '60’s and yes, Jackie Kennedy had a lot to do with it. And like someone else posted, not only was it attractive, but it was practical and could easily fit in a girl’s pocket or pocket book. And it did not mess up the teased up hair!
Talking about culture, I came from French and German ancestry. I was more familiar with the German side and head scarves seemed to be the covering most suitable to that culture. But I do remember my grandmother wearing hats, too.

 

[phil19034]

Nice try . The mantilla was very much a fashion thing that was caught on in the '60’s and yes, Jackie Kennedy had a lot to do with it. And like someone else posted, not only was it attractive, but it was practical and could easily fit in a girl’s pocket or pocket book. And it did not mess up the teased up hair!
Talking about culture, I came from French and German ancestry. I was more familiar with the German side and head scarves seemed to be the covering most suitable to that culture.

I fail to see what you are saying. I acknowledge that in the US it was very much a fashion thing that caught on in the 60s.

In non-English speaking nations the didn’t use hats. The used mantillas, veils, scarves, etc. My point was that in English speaking nations, hats were popular, while in non-English speaking nations mantillas (or other scarf like coverings) were used.

Even in conservative Jewish synagogues today there are American Jews who wear hats, while there are other Jewish woman wearing mantillas, scarves, and even tissues.

 

[phil19034]

At the last Royal Wedding, it seems that the hats ladies wore stole the show.

exactly, hats are still very popular in England.

 

[Sunbreak]

In the 50s and 60s although many women preferred hats or even just big bows that sat on top of the head with netting attached (kind of a fake hat) some wore the circle lace things or mantillas. I know I had a black mantilla in 7th or 8th grade.

 

[Bonnie]

In the 50s and 60s although many women preferred hats or even just big bows that sat on top of the head with netting attached (kind of a fake hat) some wore the circle lace things or mantillas. I know I had a black mantilla in 7th or 8th grade.

I still have the black circle doily thing Mom bought us to wear to my cousin’s wedding - he married a Catholic & joined the church. I was too young to pay much attention to the Mass, but even so, I guess that counts as my first Mass.