Slovakian caps - Picture heavy

August 29, 2019



Hello lovelies,

The natural Museum of Bratislava is currently holding an exhibition until September 2019 about Slovak caps from the 19th and 20th century called "Beauty created for women" and let me tell you, the caps were all so beautiful; there were caps in almost every colour, with flowers or/and lace or/and embroidery.

Here the official text from the museum:
"Women's headgear had an important place in the long-term development of clothing in the territory of Slovakia. In the folk environment, the head cover was formed under the influence of geographical, natural, socio-economic and cultural conditions. This complicated process was also affected by migration, administrative restrictions and orders, period fashion and trade. Wearing a headdress had a definitive meaning within a village's collective structure. It confirmed that a woman was married. Headdresses were also worn by young single women who had children out of marriage. This imperative was related to the time when traditional clothing was worn. The term čepiec (headdress, bonnet) was used to designate the head cover throughout most of the territory of Slovakia, except for the region of Central Slovakia, where it was replaced by the term kápka, and the southern part of Western Slovakia with a Hungarian population, where it was called főkötő. Based on the cut and placement of basic stitches it was divided into five forms which were further segmented into several variants. Two forms of headdress prevailed in Slovakia, one with basic stitches placed on the back of the head and the second with basic stitches placed on the top of the head. It was made of various types of material and by various techniques. In general, more expensive, better quality and more decorative materials were used for ceremonies and holidays, and simpler and cheaper fabrics were used for everyday use. The fastening of headdresses was the same all over Slovakia: they were tied by pulling down on the back part of the headdress or the headband in the back of the head and tying it. Headdresses from the villages of Východná, Štrba and Turiec and the bonnets affected by urban fashion are the exception. They were tied by a string or ribbon under the chin.
In the 1960s, the wearing of traditional clothing, and thus also of headdresses in Slovakia, was abandoned by everyone except for older women and women in certain regions on Sundays and when visiting church, as well as at festive, ceremonial occasions. Wearing headdress at wedding ceremonies was preserved for the longest."

So, without further a do, here are a few pictures from the exhibition.

Bridal headdress, Omšenie, early 20th centuary

Bridal Headdress, Rykynčice, first half of the 20th century
Bridal Headdress, Kojatice, first half of the 20th century

Bridal Headdress, Jakovany, 1947
Bridal Headdress, Novohrad, early 20th century


The two red headdresses without caption:
The parta was the headband worn by young women which was a sign of their freedom. In the past, it constituted part of ceremonial or ritual head styling. It was worn by young women to church on Sundays or important holidays. Young women put this headband on for the final time on their wedding day. Headbands were purposefully covered by textile so that ribbons, beads, glass decorations and other decorative items could be added. They were mostly complemented by a green wreath or twigs of rosemary, myrtle or another evergreen plant. In the late 19th century, traditional headbands were replaced by floral wreaths in many regions of Slovakia. The material for creating headbands was usually purchased in fairs or local shops.

Headdress with floral motif, Cajla, 1860
Headdress with bird motif, Mengusovce, early 20th century




Forgov headdreass of craftsman's wife in urban environment made by milliner. Pukanec, 1920-1945.
the red varion of the top blue headdress.
Pads, rolls, etc under headdress




All the best,

Auris Lothol

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