Veils & Hats: Is one preferable to the other?

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Because another thread was going somewhat off topic I have decided to start a new one.

For women who chose to wear head coverings, why do you chose the style of head covering that you do?

I came across this blog page which states something I have been saying: Pre-1983, hats were more common than veils as head coverings in the United States. I believe the same was true in Canada. I can’t speak for Europe but I believe this to be true in the British Isles as well.

The blogger also states something that I believe to be true. The veils that get called mantillas today (such as what you see offered from venders are not traditional mantillas but rather, lacy chapel veils. Traditional mantillas were extravagant looking affairs that probably took women a great deal of time and effort to put on.

Chapel veils are not to be confused with chapel caps. Chapel caps were small doily like veils that were also very common.
 
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Religious wear veils. Laity wear mantillas or head coverings.
Is that your blog? We are not to link to blogs, which can be notorious for error and inaccuracy.

CAF rule #4
Links are only permitted as references for the topic of discussion. Links for promotional purposes, personal blogs, or to anti-Catholic websites are not permitted. Exceptions may be made for Catholic related resources.
 
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I prefer a mantilla. It’s compact and fits easily in my glove compartment, so I don’t have to think about it when leaving home and it’s always with me. It blocks some of my peripheral vision so it’s easier to focus during prayer. Plus, the only hats I own are for hiking and wouldn’t be appropriate for church.
 
I wear a chapel veil typically. They clip easily onto the hair and I can tuck it into my purse when I leave church. I can wear my hair however I like, and I don’t have to worry that it will clash with my outfit. Simple ones are also inexpensive.

I have seen some pretty hats, but I just don’t know enough about how to wear them properly (the different types, etc.) Kind of like gloves, hat fashion is a bit obscure (imo.) That’s intimidating to me.
 
I am more used to wearing a headscarf but then I get mistaken for a Muslim wearing a hijab.

I will not wear a mantilla since I am not Hispanic. I prefer wearing a headscarf.
 
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I typically wear a headwrap or a scarf. Usually a plain headwrap is something I can fit in my purse.
 
I tend to tie my scarves back when I wear them rather than wrapping them around my head, at least if they’re lightweight (most of mine are semi-sheer). So the ends are in a knot at the nape of my neck and I’ll either wrap them up into a scarfbun or let them hang down my back.
 
I wear veils during spring, summer and most of fall. When it gets cold outside (late fall, winter and early spring) I wear a hat. For the big holy days (e.g. Nativity, Theophany) I take both with me. I will wear the hat to & from church. In church, I switch from the hat to a veil for the reasons Lisa B mentioned earlier.
 
I guess I am different here. I use all of them but, of course, not at the same time. lol

It depends on where I am going. I frequent different parishes on occasion, am involved in different ministries and frequently attend daily Mass and then also spend time in adoration.

I have hats, scarves, veils (triangular ones and infinity scarves also) and then I also like large headbands. I recently acquired my mothers from the "60’s which is a triangular veil.

I always keep a veil in my purse so I can pull it out when needed and the veil is probably my preference of what to wear.
 
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Once I get off of sundays I’ll probably start wearing more because I’ll have more time to get ready. (Ok, I admit it, I’m a clothes horse.)

I don’t wear hats much primarily because it’s hard to find them to fit. I’m a very petite woman and the hat market in my size seems to be dominated by pink sequins and my little pony hats.
 
It’s not my blog. But it is one that states that in the pre-Vatican II United States, hats were far more common as head coverings than were veils. That was my also my personal experience.

I actually disagree with much of the propaganda many of the veil producers give about the reasons for wearing veils. I suspect they’ve made some it up in order to promote their products.
 
I did not either until I joined CAF. I was surprised when the EMHC’s dress ended just above her cleavage. It did not cover her upper chest, shoulder, or arms. Her lower legs and much of her thighs were showing. In addition, she was not veiling. Oh my!
 
I think there is a big misunderstanding here of why women are choosing to wear a veil or any kind of headcovering.

It has nothing to do with trying to look like or be like a 1950’s or 1960’s woman. I have not once heard anyone say that is why they wear a veil. I have never heard anyone say they wanted to be like the Amish, Mennonite or Aposolic Christian Anabaptists, never, definitely never ever. (These things I read in the blog)

It is totally about being in the presence of God and it is about realizing we are in a holy place, when in God’s presence. The Sanctuary is our holy of holies. It just happens that it is the veil, that most women today are choosing to show respect and honor toward God’s presence.

To say, women used to wear hats, so we should all be wearing hats, doesn’t make any sense. It has nothing to do with a time period fashion statement, except that the veils worn during a past time period were of a feminine nature and I believe there is definitely a growing rejection of feminism and desire for authentic femininity but hats can work very well in that also. Not all women like wearing hats and hats can’t fit in your purse.

I, also do not see it as companies promoting this to sell their veils, since many women make their own or they are sold by women who stay home and make them to sell - not big companies, though I believe with the growing trend Catholic companies are picking up on it.

I think another misunderstanding is that it just young women choosing to wear the veil or headcovering. I am in my 50’s. The other four women in my parish who cover are older than I. All in their 60’s, so don’t believe it is about young women who know nothing about the past or are romancing a time period they know nothing about making this choice.

I like the way this older woman explains why she has chosen recently to return to chapel veils:

 
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A hat feels more formal to me, so I wear a chapel veil. Also, I’m a mess of a human being right now and don’t think I could properly care for a nice hat.
 
You’re not “a mess of a human being”. That would be me.
 
Perhaps if we met in the street we might briefly believe we were gazing into a mirror.

Your mirror (me) would have pinkeye she acquired from one of her children who would most certainly crush a fine hat.
 
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