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What people wear tells a lot about them; their culture, geographical location, weather condition and even their socio-political status. Similarly, headdresses and hats too have been a crucial part of a traditional dress; in some places, these have become icons of the countries. The world is home to some interesting headdresses; from fur caps to conical hats, here are some fascinating headdresses from around the world, with equally interesting stories around them.

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If you see a person in a fur hat with earflaps, he/she must be a Russian in all probability. The country is known for its extreme and harsh winters, which is why Ushanka hats, with earflaps are extremely useful here. The name of the hat is derived from a Russian word Ushi meaning ears. These headgears keep the wearer warm by offering near-total head and face coverage.

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Dont get into the pronunciation as we are talking pure Scottish here. These headgear belongs to Scottish men, who have been wearing Tam o shanters since the 16th century. Until the 1920s, these floppy hats were worn strictly by the men of Scotland; but later, a design for females was introduced in Europe and America.

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These hats belong to the British men. Designed in the 19th century, the bowler hats are said to have been made as an alternative to the top hat. Soon, it became popular among the working-class men across the UK and America. These hats have also been a crucial part of Bolivian womens traditional dress since they came to South America in the 1920s.

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Hijab, also known as batula and niqab, is unique to women of Islam religion living in the middle east countries and the Indian subcontinent. It is a kind of head covering worn by Muslim women to meet the Islamic standards of modesty. The hijabs are made using breathable material to keep the wearer comfortable.

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Sombreros are Mexicos signature hats. These wide-brimmed headgears were designed to save people from the sun. The name of the hat is derived from a Spanish word for shadow or shade. No one knows the exact origin of this hat, but a theory traces its history back to the Mestizo cowboys of Mexico. A sombrero also tells a lot about the status of the wearer; decorative elements, wider brims, and the materials used indicate wealth.

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These are probably the most stylish hats and have been rocked by eminent people like John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Vladimir Lenin. Made using traditional wool, the history of these fishermans caps date back to the early 19th century. Soon, navy sailors and coastal Mediterranean villagers were seen donning these caps.

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The kufi is a fitting cap worn by Muslim men throughout the world and is a part of their traditional dress. In the world of Islam, crocheted kufi hats are immensely popular while patterned caps are preferred by Jews and African Christians. However, a kufi can represent a plethora of faiths in the US.

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These conical hats are not unique to any particular country in Asia but can be seen in certain regions. These hats are extremely practical for everyday use and are worn by men and women in East and South Asia. Designed to shield people from sun and rain, these are perfect for farmers, be it in Japan or Vietnam.

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Around the world in traditional headdresses - Happytrips