Our fair friends have really cause to complain of the gentlemen, for the adoption by them of their own peculiar and appropriate articles of dress. We did not think that dandyism had progressed so far as to abstract the veils from ladies wardrobes, much less that the use of them was becoming general; but we found, upon our visit to Epsom, that a great portion of our male companions were thus singularly arrayed. On previous occasions, the use of such interesting appendages had been very restricted; but now they have become almost universal, and have the most ludicrous and singular effect imaginable. The ostensible cause of the custom, is to keep the dust from the gentlemen’s faces, and to prevent sun spots, we suppose, on their delicate complexions. Really, we should advise the adoption of parasols as well, , and what do our friends think of shavels, to arrest the progress of the dirt in its way to the spoliation of their embroidered waistcoats, and to prevent the cold evening air affecting their chest and lungs? Those articles might be found particularly serviceable to the gentlemen, and as they have already adopted ladies’ veils, they surely need not stick at trifles!

Quoted from: The Atheneum, or Spirit of the English Magazines. Fourth Series. Vol. 1. April to October 1831.