Nationalclothing.org

Every nation has its own traditional headgear. It shows the culture and traditions of the country, its nature and climate. There are so many different headdresses, some of them are usual and obvious for us, and others seem odd and unique. Let’s find out which headgear is used in definite country.

Sombrero – Mexico, Spain and Philippines.
Cowboy hat – US, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentine.
Keffiyeh or kufiya – Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Oman.

Conical hat is used in plenty Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, parts of Russian Manchuria and Vietnam.

Female headdress of a noble woman, France, 1870. The hat is made from straw (but the pattern is intricate and cute) and decorated with velvet and feathers of the bird-of-paradise. The hat is tied to the head with two thin straps.

Various female hats used in the 19th century in Europe

Women’s straw hat, 1860-1865. Its design is cute and weaving is intricate. It is decorated with artificial flowers. The hat is tied under the chin with two crimson ribbons Women’s accessories: hat made from straw with ribbons to tie under the chin (France, 1810-1830); small hat made from fabric and decorated with ribbons and lace Female hat, Holland (the Netherlands), 1870-1875. The straw hat with ostrich feathers and lacy underside is tied under the chin with a long satin ribbon Women’s headdress, Russia (St. Petersburg), 1890-1895. The black hat is large, lacy, and intricate

Nice hats but personally I don't like straw hats. Pillbox hats are much more exquisite and cute. The hats above look like they belonged to some old lady

Traditional hats from Georgia called "papakha". They are made from sheepskin. They are used by both men and women during the cold season. These hats are also a part of Georgian folk costume, often worn by the folk dancers and singers

Vintage Azerbaijani papakha hats. These are male hats made from karakul and wool.
In Azerbaijan papakha used to be the most important men’s accessory. Men never took them off during the day (even during dinner). To steel one’s hat or just knock it down from one’s head was a great disrespect and insult. Azerbaijani males considered their papakha to be the symbol of courage and honor. Today, this tradition is almost forgotten but older people still remember and honor it.

Various female hats used in the 20th century in Europe and US

Women’s hat, the end of the 19th – early beginning of the 20th century. The headdress is adorned with lace and artificial flowers
Female hat, US, 1900-1902. The hat is made from felt and embellished with large feathers
Women’s accessories, the beginning of the 20th century. The hat is decorated with feathers and sequins
Female accessories, the beginning of the 20th century. The hat is simple, made from straw, and doesn’t have any extra decorations
Women’s straw hat, 1911. The straw hat with wide brims has delicate beige decorations. It is tied to the head with thin ribbons
Large festive hat, Ukraine, 1910. The hat is wide-brimmed, embellished with artificial pink flowers
Female hat, Czechia, 1895-1900. The hat is made from black chiffon. It has a metal frame. The hat is decorated with a large stuffed bird

Traditional male (at the right) and female (at the left) headdress of Kazakhstan. It is called “kalpak”. These are summer kalpaks – they’re made from velvet and decorated with embroidery.

Traditional headdress of an unmarried women from Serbia. It is a woolen cap with flat top, decorated with embroidery and coins.