Linen Turban

“What do I do with my hair?!?” has been the anguished cry of women frustrated with a “bad hair day” or keeping their long locks out of their way while working for centuries. And, of course, in many times and places throughout the Middle Ages a married woman or lady of station was expected to keep her hair covered. While noblewomen often relied on the veil, or the veil and wimple, a far simple and more practical style developed amongst the working classes in the 13th century, and became a common fashion for the next two centuries, particularly in the Italian and German principalities and free cities. Likely developed from a practical “ad hoc” solution by bathers wishing to keep their hair dry, a long piece of linen was wrapped about the head into a tight turban, sometimes worn with a rectangular veil added over top, especially in Italy. A perfect, simple, comfortable and historical way to keep your hair out the way and in the heat of summer you can even soak it with cool water before wearing – kind of medieval air conditioning!

See our ‘Photo Gallery’ below for instructions on how to wrap your turban.