Vainags

In Latvia not only each district, but, perhaps, almost every town has its own distinctive costume. While garments of men or married women in many of them are the same, the maiden’s crowns (vainagi) differ very much by style, color, and ornaments. The wreath from southern Latgale (the districts of Izvalta and Rudzeti) is made of red wool; the traditional patterns are embroidered on it with green and white beads. Just like in Russia, in Latvia only the unmarried women were allowed to go bareheaded, flaunting their hair. The vainags comes from simple bandages that keep hair together, and is consistent with the Russian golovodzs and headbands.