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its vintage
August 9, 2013

20 Vintage Photos of Beautiful Women in Veils

By Diana Tsui

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Photo: Gordon Parks/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

With summer wedding season winding down, you’ve probably seen your fair share of veils trailing down the backs of brides. But diaphanous, embellished overlays weren’t always worn solely for the purpose of exchanging vows. In the past, pillbox hats came garnished with delicate birdcages, similar to the ones more recently seen on the Jil Sander spring 2012 runway. Meant to be worn everywhere, from shopping trips to elegant dinners, they were a glamorous daily accessory during a time when ladylike dressing was the norm. On the silver screen, sirens like Marlene Dietrich and Gloria Swanson added mystery and sex appeal by posing in dramatic lighting clad in dark scarves or black netting. If a starlet wanted to play up her innocence, she could drape a sparkly white mantilla across her head, like Vivian Leigh in Gone With the Wind. In more modern times, divas like Madonna and Joan Collins used them to add to their commanding presence. Click ahead to see a collection of arresting and alluring images of women in veils.

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Great Vintage Photos of Marlene Dietrich, the Queen of Androgyny
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1 / 20 Photos
1932: Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) as a befeathered Madeline or Shanghai Lily in the film Shanghai Express, directed by Josef von Sternberg. Costumes ... 1932: Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) as a befeathered Madeline or Shanghai Lily in the film Shanghai Express, directed by Josef von Sternberg. Costumes by Travis Banton. (Photo by Eugene Robert Richee/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) Photo: Eugene Robert Richee/Getty Images
Circa 1940: Vivien Leigh (1913–1967), British actress, wearing a white lace veil in a studio portrait, against a blue background. (Photo by Silver Scr... Circa 1940: Vivien Leigh (1913–1967), British actress, wearing a white lace veil in a studio portrait, against a blue background. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Circa 1930: American actress Gloria Swanson (1899–1983) holds a silk scarf up to the light, framing her profile. (Photo by John Kobal Foundation/Getty... Circa 1930: American actress Gloria Swanson (1899–1983) holds a silk scarf up to the light, framing her profile. (Photo by John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) Photo: John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
The Veil, c. 1947. Photograph by Mrs. G V Field. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images) Photo: Royal Photographic Society/Getty Images
1990: English actress Joan Collins glimpsed through a black veil. (Photo by Terry O'Neill/Getty Images) Photo: Krause, Johansen/Getty Images
1964: Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, later Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, attending a cattle show in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Image... 1964: Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, later Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, attending a cattle show in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) Photo: Keystone/Getty Images
June 30, 1960: A flamingo velvet pillbox hat with a pleated front and bow, called "Florentine," from the Autumn Collection by Christian Dior... June 30, 1960: A flamingo velvet pillbox hat with a pleated front and bow, called "Florentine," from the Autumn Collection by Christian Dior Chapeaux Ltd, being modeled in London by Jill Leslie. (Photo by Derek Berwin/Fox Photos/Getty Images) Photo: Derek Berwin/Getty Images
June 15, 1939: A woman modelling a tiny hat and veil of the style worn by Victorian horsewomen. (Photo by Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) P... June 15, 1939: A woman modelling a tiny hat and veil of the style worn by Victorian horsewomen. (Photo by Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Circa 1955: American actress Jane Russell wearing long gloves, a low-cut dress, and a veiled hat. (Photo by John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) Photo... Circa 1955: American actress Jane Russell wearing long gloves, a low-cut dress, and a veiled hat. (Photo by John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) Photo: John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
Austria, circa 1925: Actress Sibylle Binder. Vienna. (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) Photo: Trude Fleischmann/IMAGNO/Austrian Archives/Getty Images
Austria, circa 1931: Ninon Darville. Tripper. Photography. (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) Photo: Imagno/Austrian Archives/Getty Images
February 1932: A fashionable veiled hat creates a spotted look over the wearer's eyes. (Photo by Sasha/Getty Images) Photo: Sasha/Getty Images
France, July 1994: High fashion couture fall-winter: Emanuel Ungaro (Photo by Alexis DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Photo: Alexis DUCLOS/GAMMA/... France, July 1994: High fashion couture fall-winter: Emanuel Ungaro (Photo by Alexis DUCLOS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Photo: Alexis DUCLOS/GAMMA/Getty Images
August 1950: French fashion model Sophie Malgat poses in an alley as an unidentified woman photographs her in Paris, France. (Photo by Gordon Parks/Ti... August 1950: French fashion model Sophie Malgat poses in an alley as an unidentified woman photographs her in Paris, France. (Photo by Gordon Parks/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images) Photo: Gordon Parks/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Italy, July 21, 1951: A model wearing Italian fashions. (Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images) Photo: Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty ... Italy, July 21, 1951: A model wearing Italian fashions. (Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images) Photo: Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images
Miss Sweden Anita Ekberg, sporting a heavy veiled hat by Mr. John during her hat-buying spree while visiting U.S. for possible work as a model. (Photo... Miss Sweden Anita Ekberg, sporting a heavy veiled hat by Mr. John during her hat-buying spree while visiting U.S. for possible work as a model. (Photo by Lisa Larsen//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images) Photo: Lisa Larsen/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
1941: British-born actress Joan Fontaine wearing an extravagant hat decorated with flowers. (Photo by Ernest Bachrach/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Imag... 1941: British-born actress Joan Fontaine wearing an extravagant hat decorated with flowers. (Photo by Ernest Bachrach/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) Photo: Ernest Bachrach/Getty Images
1933: Actress Carol Goodner as she appears in Dinner At Eight at the Palace Theatre. (Photo by Sasha/Getty Images) Photo: Sasha/Getty Images
Circa 1947: A woman modelling a hat with veil and feathers. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
1994: American pop singer Madonna performs during the video shoot for her single "Take A Bow." (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) Phot... 1994: American pop singer Madonna performs during the video shoot for her single "Take A Bow." (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images) Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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