Aigrette

Jewellery

A dash of feathers
Aigrette is French for 'egret' and the characteristic white plume on the head of this bird is the inspiration for this hat ornament. A plume-shaped decoration or tuft of feathers on a hairstyle or hat, held together by a jewel. This fashion style reached its peak at the end of the nineteenth century, when hats were often made entirely of feathers or even whole birds. The aigrette was also popular as a headdress in the 10s and 20s, sometimes in combination with a turban, a style introduced by the French couturier Paul Poiret. Until 1939, every lady at the British court was obliged to wear a white feather bunch with her evening toilets.

 

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