Headscarves and neckwear in the Middle Ages
Archaeological findings and sculptures from the 5th century AD suggest Anglo-Saxon women wore scarves tucked into the neck of their under gowns, and pulled over the head for warmth. Excavations of remains from the 8th to the 10th century show headscarves and veils worn by Viking women, with some styles possibly influenced by the Anglo and Celtic hosts of their settlements.
Scarves feature widely in fashion from the Middle Ages. Throughout most of medieval culture, it was considered vulgar for married women to show their hair, so matrons would don a wimple, a stretch of cloth worn around the neck and chin to cover the head. Wimples were worn in a variety of ways - starched, creased, folded, and even supported by wicker frames - to keep up with both fashion and propriety.
Among the wealthy 12th century women, long and fine scarves were worn suspended from tall headdresses - a trend said to have begun with the beautiful Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. In 14th century France, aristocratic women wore a henin - the …show more content…
In the midst of another war at the end of the 17th century, the steinkirk was born, named after the Battle of Steenkerque, where French soldiers were forced to fight with improperly arranged cravats after a surprise attack from the enemy. Bridging the gap between function and style, the steinkirk remained in the realm of men’s fashion for over a century.
Further south, the Spanish mantilla, a lace or silk shawl worn over the head and shoulders, grew in popularity with women during the 17th and 18th centuries. Some historians believe they may have originated in the Andalusia region in the 1500s, influenced by Muslim women from neighbouring areas in North Africa. The mantilla was, and is still today, an item of fashion, modesty and piety worn at festive and formal
Archaeological findings and sculptures from the 5th century AD suggest Anglo-Saxon women wore scarves tucked into the neck of their under gowns, and pulled over the head for warmth. Excavations of remains from the 8th to the 10th century show headscarves and veils worn by Viking women, with some styles possibly influenced by the Anglo and Celtic hosts of their settlements.
Scarves feature widely in fashion from the Middle Ages. Throughout most of medieval culture, it was considered vulgar for married women to show their hair, so matrons would don a wimple, a stretch of cloth worn around the neck and chin to cover the head. Wimples were worn in a variety of ways - starched, creased, folded, and even supported by wicker frames - to keep up with both fashion and propriety.
Among the wealthy 12th century women, long and fine scarves were worn suspended from tall headdresses - a trend said to have begun with the beautiful Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. In 14th century France, aristocratic women wore a henin - the …show more content…
In the midst of another war at the end of the 17th century, the steinkirk was born, named after the Battle of Steenkerque, where French soldiers were forced to fight with improperly arranged cravats after a surprise attack from the enemy. Bridging the gap between function and style, the steinkirk remained in the realm of men’s fashion for over a century.
Further south, the Spanish mantilla, a lace or silk shawl worn over the head and shoulders, grew in popularity with women during the 17th and 18th centuries. Some historians believe they may have originated in the Andalusia region in the 1500s, influenced by Muslim women from neighbouring areas in North Africa. The mantilla was, and is still today, an item of fashion, modesty and piety worn at festive and formal