The traditional clothing and accessories are so diverse and unique that you can easily tell in most cases what country or ethnic group it belongs to. Such garments attract our attention in the streets immediately, unlike most contemporary outfits, because they’re usually bright, richly embellished, and often have a rather unusual shape. Especially headwear – folk headpieces are among the most extravagant items of traditional attire. Like these 5 headdresses we offer you to see.
#5 Peruvian headpiece
This hat is called a “montera”. Some designs of it date back to the 15th century and the Incan heritage. The round shape of montera represents the sun, which the Incas worshiped. This headdress is always brightly colored and richly embellished – with ribbons, flowers, embroidery, and sometimes even fruits. Some monteras are shaped like the head of a mushroom, others a plate, yet others remind us of a thin pancake, but that’s just my associations)).
#4 Miao headpiece (China)
Chinese Miao people have comparatively simple folk attire, but their headdresses and jewelry pieces are a sight to behold. Their headwear is typically decorated with beads, seed beads, and embroidery. Practically always it has a round shape and beaded fringe. To tell you the truth, its design reminds me of a lampshade.
In some regions, the traditional Miao headdress is massive, made from tin, and very intricate.
#3 Cambodian headpiece
In Southeast Asia, the traditional headdresses are large, elaborate, and made from metal. The fanciest, for example, royal wedding headgear, can be even made from solid gold or gold-plated. But ordinary women wear fake gold headpieces. Like these intricate massive pieces from Cambodia.
#2 Mexican headpiece
In the Oaxaca region of Mexico, there is a pretentious-looking women’s headdress made from starched white lace. It definitely catches everyone’s attention in the street because it’s large, beautifully made, and unique. The headpiece itself is sewn from very delicate lace, but the size of it!
#1 Turkmen headpiece
Turkmen women love their jewelry massive and encrusted with semi-precious gems. This traditional headdress is like a huge jewelry piece. It’s so decorated and impressive! The cap sits high on the head and has sort of a stylized tree on the very top, and there are many large pendants hanging down on the shoulders, chest, and back. Small pendants hang down on the forehead. Truly fancy headgear.