Anna Chlupová
Headdresses and garlands were a significant decoration for brides and also a symbol of virginity. Decoration for the bride’s head was known throughout all Slavonic nations and has a very old origin. In Slovakia this decoration was very variable. Several regional forms and customs were created. In some areas a headdress or garland was decoration for the bride at the wedding, while in other areas it was a symbol of every unmarried woman. They were worn during celebrative days or every Sunday. Due to the influence of various social and economic conditions and partially under the influence of city fashion, wearing a headdress remained only as a part of the bride’s clothing since the 20th century. Headdresses have various size and forms: they were simple or decorated, made out of various materials – glass pearls, small pieces of metal, beads, small pieces of wire, embroidery, ribbons and laces, artificial flowers, leaves etc. Older headdresses were characterized by the simplicity of their form and decoration. A headdress was not owned by every bride. In municipalities there were usually only several headdresses, and girls lent it to each other for weddings. Expensive, richly decorated headdresses were made by one or two women in the village, while the simpler ones were designed and made by several women.