Lucile Willetta Tomlinson (née Peers) was married to William Rae “Tommy” Tomlinson, who was the who was the Federal Member of Parliament for Bruce riding from 1935 to 1945. He was Village Reeve from 1946 to 1948, and the first mayor of Port Elgin from 1949 to 1955. Tommy also served as a Captain in the Armed Forces during the Second World War.
Hats Off
If you were to go back in time to attend a swanky event in 1937, you’d probably top off your outfit with a nice hat: maybe a handsome homburg for the gents and pretty pillbox for the ladies.
Mrs. Lucile Tomlinson of Port Elgin had an impressive collection of spiffy hats for various occasions. But for this particular event in 1937, none of these hats would fit the bill – no matter how stylish they were. When Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson received an invitation to King George VI’s coronation, the dress code mandated that “feathers and veils must be worn” by the ladies. Yes, must.
Court Dress
“Court Dress” refers to a series of rules about what one must – and must not – wear when presented to British royalty. These rules include stipulations about what colours, fabrics, styles, and types of garments are permissible. These vary depending on the context of the event, as well as the rank, social class, marital status, and gender of the individual. According to these customs, ladies were required to don veiled and plumed headdresses.
Covering the head, especially for women, has a long history of signifying humility and respect in both secular and spiritual contexts. Veiling, therefore, was a sign of deference to the Monarch. But why the feathers? When these dress codes were established in the 1820s, ostrich plumes happened to be all the rage for high society ladies. So, naturally, feathers became part of required dress for ladies at court. Even after this style fell out of vogue, the rule hung around for over a century and was still one the books at the time of King George VI’s coronation.
Picture Perfect
Sporting a long sheer veil topped with ivory feathers and a glittering rhinestone headband, Lucile radiates with elegance and style in this photograph by Frank Arthur Swaine. Paired with a high-necked, sleeveless blouson gown and geometrically patterned elbow-length gloves, Lucile took this 100-year-old dress code and served up peak fashion. This photo was featured in the September 1937 issue of Mayfair Magazine.
Sources:
- Department of External Affairs, correspondence addressed to W.R. Tomlinson re: specific details on prescribed dress for coronation attendees: BCM&CC Archives A2020.058.001
- “Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth – Dress Regulations” document issued by the Earl Marshal’s office, 1937, BCM&CC Archives A2020.058.003
- “Royal Reflections” by Kathleen Bowker, 1397, in Mayfair Magazine, page 23, BCM&CC Archives A2020.058.023.001
- “The Court Presentation” by Evangeline Holland, 2007, for Edwardian Promenade: The Court Presentation – Edwardian Promenade
Slider Images (top):
Postcards depicting scenes from the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 1937: BCM&CC Archives, A2020.058.019
