Steve
I've seen some indication that it was a style that was worn as far back as mid 15th century England. Of course there are no photos, since there were no cameras until around 400 years later.
Here are a few historical photos...
1893, Austria...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Hofmannsthal_1893.jpg
1917, Russia...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Kerensky.jpg
1957, USA...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/15/Barry_MacKay.png
Sur La Mer
Have no clue, many of them hides behind head dress.