Women’s garb

Bollenhut

This is the trademark of the Black Forest and is only worn in the municipalities of Kirnbach, Gutach in the Kinzig valley and Hornberg Reichenbach.

Bollenhut

The Bollenhut is a straw hat that is plastered and painted black and white. It also has eleven large and three smaller woolen pompoms on top. Only married women can wear the black Bollenhut. The headdress („Spiegele“) of colorful glass beads and a mirror is fixed on in the middle with ribbons. The mirrors are supposed to keep away evil spirits by scaring them with their own reflection.

Women’s garb

This garb comprises a neck ruffle and a shirt, both of which are made from white cotton. The neck ruffle and puff sleeves are gauged (gathered by hand, pleat by pleat) and the sleeves are decorated with cotton lace. The purple detachable collar (a lavishly decorated neck collar available in both round and rectangular designs) is worn by children and single women. Married women are allowed to have a green collar made, which is embroidered with special patterns and sequins by hand. The bodice is made of black velvet with colored flowers embroidered on it. The apron is flowery or plain and is tied at the back with a patterned apron ribbon. The red underskirt (poodle skirt) is made from red wool fabric, the same as that used to line the long velvet coat worn by the men. Angora stockings are also worn.