Poke bonnets hi res stock photography and images Alamy Fashions and bonnets, Autumn 1837 Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century Claremont Colleges Digital Library Girl's Short Sleeved Dress, Apron and Bonnet Set, MADE TO ORDER, Victorian, Civil War, Prairie School Days 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.