Headscarves

Headscarves

Anna Chlupová

Headscarves are one of a group of clothing accessory created only from straight pieces of material. They can be considered primary forms of clothing. Some of them covered the head and partially the body, while others twisted around only the body or only the head or were used around the neck, crossed through the chest and tied up at the back. Headscarves held a significant place in traditional women’s clothing. Developmentally older were the large head scarves, 115 to 215 cm in size. They were still used as festive parts of clothing at the end of the 19th Century, and in some areas until the beginning of the 20th Century, even after WWI. Large headscarves from tulle, thin white textile – chiffon, batiste, half cashmere, cashmere and blue print are known. Large headscarves were proof of the persistence of the old wrapping custom. At the end of the 19th Century, small headscarves started to be used more. The large ones were only used by old women since the younger ones regarded them as impractical. Small head scarves (70 – 100 cm) were typical with a large range of materials, quality and price. The colour, pattern and decoration of the head scarves were diverse and rich, depending on the age of women using them, events, season and regional customs. Embroidery was concentrated in the corner hanging over the back. Calico headscarves were popular and universal. The most precious were the red ones with colourful, so called oil print with border ornament. Special attention must be paid to the methods of modification, tying and use of headscarves.

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