Headscarf

 The headscarf is not traditionally a head-covering worn by men

Whilst a headscarf is not traditional, the same piece of fabric can be turned into turbans, shemagh and bandanas which are styles of head coverings worn by men. 

Maybe the only difference between a headscarf worn by women or men is the name, maybe the fabric might be more patterned for women, the knots different, but gender stereotypes are gradually disappearing, so worn today it does not really matter.

I think it looks smart, would certainly make use of it as emergency sun protection.

Plague Mask

During the 17th Century, beaked masks were worn by so-called 'Plague Doctors' in Italy (and to a lesser degree in other parts of Europe) as part of the overall protective wardrobe.

The mask was worn along with spectacles, leather gloves, long coats and trousers sewn into their boots. The overall look was very dark and ominous.  

The mask was intended to protect the doctor from the plagues miasma spread through poisoned air that in turn imbalance a person humors, this was in a time before germs were understood.

 (The four humors medicine are black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood)

The mask was filled with perfumes and other smelly stuff which was believed to help protect the wearer.

This is an Italian carnival style version of mask

This particular mask was given to our lrp group by one of our crew

Arming Cap

This padded cap is designed to be worn under a metal helmet

The cap helps stabilise and make the helmet worn over it more comfortable, I also expect it helps protect a little against the shock of blows to the helmet.

Made of thick cotton canvass, then filled with extra layers of fabric.

Poker Visor

The green eyeshade, poker visor or casino dealers visor.

The green visor started life as protection against the harsh light created by early electric light bulbs in the late 19th early to mid 20th centuries

The visor was worn by accountants, telegraphers, newspaper copy editors and other people who worked in detailed vision intensive occupations to reduce eyestrain. Not sure if it worked although green light is said to be a restful colour. 

The green eyeshade is also associated with gambling as croupiers used to wear them possible for a similar reason as accountants, although they may have also hidden the eyes somewhat making it harder to read people.

This is a cheap fancy dress eyeshade, but still usable.

Du-rag

The Du-rag or Do-rag is scarf worn on the head meant to be worn after a hair treatment or to protect other headwear from the hair.

The Du-rag became a symbol of a black power movement in the 1960s and later adopted as an African American fashion accessory to wear on its own. 

The Du-rag is also used by motorcyclist under the helmet to protect the helmet liner from sweat and greasy hair. 

The name Du-rag I've read is actually short for dew or sweat from the head so could be sweat rag. The name as also been associated with do meaning hairdo, either is possible but neither may be true.

The actual du-rags in these pictures are specially shaped scarves with ties and slightly stretchy fabric making them easy to tie onto your head.

Minotaur

This foam, latex and faux fur mask was made by Mandala Studios 

Mandala have cracked it when it comes lrp masks, their masks are comfortable and always have good vision, this one included, they are as practical as a mask can be. 

This one comes with a strap to hold in place

Time for a Pow Wow

A pow wow or powwow is a gathering of  Native Americans were they dance, sing, socialize, basically a party. in most western films they are also often portrayed as a political meeting between warring tribes or cowboys.

Headdress or war bonnets like this would be essential at any powwow as you need to look your best.

The Warbonnet is the chosen ceremonial headgear of the Plains Indian of North America, they were also worn into battle.

They are quite light and comfortable to wear they serve no practical purpose at all other than to announce your presence, which they do very well.

War bonnets are made around a buckskin skull cap and designed so the feather flare out around the head. 

The skull cap can also be decorated with beads.

Dyed horse hair mostly holds it all together and creatively provides additional decoration

Some war bonnets also included horns from buffalo.

Baubles

Presents for Christmas included Beard Baubles and R.

Along with a green Vietcong pith helmet, a brown suede hood and a bag full of Wee Willie Winky Hats.

Crown

The crown a headress worn by a monarch or emperor to show thier power, wealth and also used in a coranation to endorse thier position.

Crowns come in many shape a date back to time of pharoes, the one shown here is shaped like a traditional european crown.

Often made of gold or other precious metaerial, covered in jewels and lined with some expensive animal skin, this headgear is not practical or confortable, its nothing but a symbol of the wearers rank. 

This is a cheap fancy dress plastic crown which I have repainted and distressed, lined with felt all to give a bit life and make it less plasticky.

One up from the cracker crown shown in my previous post.

Mask with Hat

Well the picture and title say it all its a mask with hat shape cast into it, in this case probably the start of tricorn.

Feathered headpiece

This feathered headpiece is based on 1920’s Flapper Headband.

It was advertised as  1920s Great Gatsby Headband Carnival headpiece.

However, it was actually intended to be used to provide an additional imposing item for an Egyptian based culture as in the photo below.

Combined with the feather collar and bit of jewellery it gave to look and cost less than five pounds.

Latex Skeleton Mask

There are other things you can wear on head besides hats such as hoods, wigs, crowns and one of the other things is masks

This latex mask I'm wearing is from the Ascendancy prop box

Latex masks can be half masks which leave the mouth uncovered, face masks just covering the eyes and forehead or like this one full head masks covering the whole face and head.
These full head masks are the worst to wear as they restrict breathing but the main problem is condensation from breathing and general sweat.

You get a little puddle of fluid in the chin of this mask after wearing it for half an hour.