Vintage Birdcage Veils - Unique Elegance and Style

Vintage birdcage veils are also commonly known as a bird cage veil, cage veil, face veil, cage blusher, or pouf veil.  And, they're making quite a comeback--as any woman with a fashion-forward sense of style already knows.  

And it's no wonder!  A fabulous net veil can be worn as a wedding veil, bridesmaids veil, or just as a decorative headpiece for everyday glamour!  Pair your birdcage veil with a hair flower clip or feather fascinator hair piece for even more style and impact.  Cage veils are a ton of fun to wear, and go with so many different styles of dresses and gowns.

You can browse and Buy Birdcage Veils from our Online Shop

Vintage Birdcage Veils -  Styles and Materials

Vintage birdcage veils come in several different styles and lengths.  They may be worn on the front of the face, or cover the entire head.  As far as the length goes, the netting may come down to cover one or both eyes, down to the nose or chin, or even cover the entire face--it is entirely a matter of choice and what looks good to you.  Typical lengths of cage veils use 9 inch netting (to come partially down the face), or 12 and 18 inch netting for a full face veil.  The cage veils may also be worn as part of a headpiece in the form of a flirty net pouf as an eye-catching accent.  

Vintage birdcage veils are made from several different netting choices, from Russian net (Russian veiling), French net (French veiling, which is softer in texture than Russian), vintage silk veiling, fishnet, tulle, or illusion veiling materials, in addition to English net and merry widow veiling.  Most cage veils feature a classic diamond-shaped netting (Russian or French net), with or without adornments such as chenille dots or crystal accents.  Depending on the style of netting used to make your net veil, the impact can be quite understated and elegant, or very bold.  Net veiling is available in all colors, from classic white, ivory, and black, to every color of the rainbow.  The fabric can also be dyed to match just about any dress color, as needed.  We can source genuine vintage veiling at your request, or you can purchase from our shop of veils made with beautiful Russian netting.  We are also happy to make a tulle face veil or a traditional veil at your request.  In addition to the cage veil styles, we carry traditional veils such as mantilla and monogrammed wedding veils.

Contact us at EllenMariePDX[at]gmail.com for couture vintage birdcage veils and your own special design requests.  We can make the perfect vintage birdcage veils for your wedding, and can even make matching hair accessories for your bridesmaids!  

Want this veil set with fascinators? Click to Shop our veil selection.

Imagine having a custom set of bridal hair accessories that are perfectly matched to your wedding theme and colors.

Be sure to visit our "Customer Testimonials" feedback page to read letters we have received from satisfied customer who have purchased our birdcage veils and headpieces, including custom bridal headbands, prom hair clips, and designer veil sets.

Depending on the style desired, the vintage birdcage veils may feature two side combs for attaching the veil to each side of the head, or they may also be attached to a single comb for placement in the center or top of the head, or on just one side.  They may also be attached to a hat or hair ornament such as a feather fascinator or hair flower.  The veil may be worn straight, or at a jaunty angle, allowing just one eye to peek through. 

Visit our 1000Markets.com shop or our Ellen Marie Website for the latest feather fascinators, one of a kind bridal designs, and vintage birdcage veils.

Undoubtedly, with all this versatility, a bird cage veil can be a welcome departure from a full length traditional wedding veil, with that sassy and fresh attitude that is somehow both vintage and modern all at the same time.  But don't limit yourself to wearing a cage veil only on special occasions.  Colored vintage birdcage veils make a great adornment for any special occasion and are loads of fun to wear.  If you're looking for bridesmaids veils that don't detract too much attention away from the bride, a small cage veil or blusher veil is a great choice.  When worn with a hair flower or feather fascinator, you can achieve one of a kind style and set yourself apart from ordinary brides wearing a common veil.

A Brief History of Vintage Birdcage Veils

While the birdcage veil has a definite retro or vintage flair, the truth is that the practice of wearing veils and headpieces has been around for centuries!  Veils have been worn to represent both virginity, as well as to evoke a sense of mystery and sensuality.  And the birdcage veil is one of the most versatile of all, because it can be worn for many different occasions.

Here is a brief history of vintage birdcage veils, courtesy of Wikipedia.com: 

The first recorded instance of veiling for women is recorded in an Assyrian legal text from the 13th century BCE, which restricted its use to noble women and forbade prostitutes and common women from adopting it. Greek texts have also spoken of veiling and seclusion of women being practiced among the Persian elite. Statues from depict women both veiled and unveiled, and it seems to be regarded as an attribute of higher status.

Classical Greek and Hellenistic statues sometimes depict Greek women with both their head and face covered by a veil. Caroline Galt and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones have both argued from such representations and literary references that it was commonplace for women (at least those of higher status) in ancient Greece to cover their hair and face in public.

For many centuries, until around 1175, Anglo-Saxon and then Anglo-Norman women, with the exception of young unmarried girls, wore veils that entirely covered their hair, and often their necks up to their chins (see wimple). Only in the Tudor period (1485), when hoods became increasingly popular, did veils of this type become less common.

For centuries, women have worn sheer veils, but only under certain circumstances. Sometimes a veil of this type was draped over and pinned to the bonnet or hat of a woman in, especially at the funeral and during the subsequent period of "high mourning". They would also have been used, as an alternative to a mask, as a simple method of hiding the identity of a woman who was traveling to meet a lover, or doing anything she didn't want other people to find out about. More pragmatically, veils were also sometimes worn to protect the complexion from sun and wind damage (when un-tanned skin was fashionable), or to keep dust out of a woman's face, much as the keffiyeh is used today. 

Conversely, veils are often part of the stereotypical image of the courtesan and harem woman. Here, rather than the virginity of the bride's veil, modesty of the Muslim scarf or the piety of the nun's headdress, the mysterious veil hints at sensuality and the unknown. (Source: Wikipedia)

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

With attitude!  Obviously, in the modern day, veils are worn primarily as an accessory, for expressing a sense of drama and fashion to spice up an outfit.  You can wear a veil any day, if your personality and sense of style permits it, but commonly, veils are worn for formal events when extraordinary adornment is desirable such as weddings, horse races and high society events, and so on.  If you have occasion to wear a veil, then by all means, take advantage of the opportunity and have fun with it.

It's amazing how just a tiny piece of Russian netting or French veiling can completely transform your appearance and boost your confidence at the same time.  Vintage birdcage veils are definitely fun to wear.

You may select a style with one comb and attach it at the top center of your head, or off to one side.  Or you may get one that has one comb on either side of your head, or even request a detachable veil style attached to a bridal headband or hair clip.  We also design beautiful elegant bridal hats with veils.

Is a Cage Veil the Right Choice?

Birdcage veils are a little less formal, than say, a traditional chapel length or cathedral veil for weddings.  They are a fabulous option for the modern woman who is willing to express her individuality and uniqueness.  There is something so dramatic and alluring about a tiny swatch of netting draped over the eye!  

Commonly called a cage blusher, it adds a little something to complete your ensemble and draw attention to your eyes and face, without being too "over the top".  They can be worn with all styles of gown, from short, tea length, and informal gowns, to full length bridal gowns.  And yes--you may choose a colored veil, even for your wedding.  It really is so versatile, that it is up to you!  

And, if you're looking for discount birdcage veils, or cheap wedding veils, this might be a great option over a fancy designer one for sale at the bridal salon, particularly if you are a bit crafty and willing to make it yourself.  We offer vintage birdcage veils at some of the best prices you will find for handcrafted, high quality designer products.

The net veil is commonly attached to a hat, thus known as a visor veil.  Hat veils can be the perfect touch for an informal wedding, as well.  And surely you have seen these worn with hair flowers and feathers for a fresh and modern, yet totally classy look that never goes out of style. 

Plus, for an informal wedding or a less formal wedding gown, the bird cage veil is a perfect match that won't overwhelm a simple gown or elegant understated style.  This is also a perfect choice for bachelorette party veil.

Best of all, this is the perfect style whether you have short hair or long hair, and whether you are young or old, tall or short.

Above, Cage Blusher Veil Birdcage Veil with Fascinator

Something Old is New Again - Vintage Birdcage Veils

Contact us at EllenMariePDX[at]gmail.com for custom design requests.  We are happy to make vintage birdcage veils to your specifications.  We're also on 1000Markets!

Ellen Marie Design features custom designer vintage birdcage veils, bridal headpieces, hair accessories, and jewelry.  The online shop is located at www.EllenMarieDesign.com.  

Just for a bit of trivia, some common misspellings of vintage birdcage veils include: wedding vail, wedding vale, and birdcage vale.  

Additional searches for blusher veil, French netting veil, Russian veil, madonna veil, face veil, and mantilla veil are common.

 Below, slideshow photos are courtesy of Meriwether Photography. Modeled by Nicole.

Customer Letters and Testimonials

-Holli

For custom bridal fascinator and birdcage veil set with champagne birdcage veil.

-Natalya

For custom bridal fascinator and birdcage veil set with mixed ivory and pink feathers.

Thanks again,

-Michelle

For custom prom headband with peacock feathers.

-Channie

For custom bridal fascinator and jewelry set in champagne and ivory.

-Alicyn

For birdcage veil.

Ellen Marie Design features custom designer vintage birdcage veils, bridal headpieces, hair accessories, and jewelry.  The online shop is located at www.EllenMarieDesign.com.