Medieval headwear is a necessary element of dress. Similarly to the outer garments, medieval headdresses are the evidence of a social status, and marital status in case of women. In painting hardly ever can we find figures without any headwear. Medieval headwear includes: caps, hats, coifs, hoods, kerchiefs and others.
Medieval headdresses varied in their form and purpose. Coifs, straw hats, kerchiefs and hoods were rather practical. Escoffions, on the other hand, were the most glamorous court headdresses.