Wikipedia:WikiProject Germany/Portal:Baden-Württemberg/Selected article/5

Bollenhut, Gutach

A Bollenhut is a formal headdress worn since c.1750 by Protestant women as part of their local costume or Tracht in the three neighbouring Black Forest villages of Gutach, Kirnbach and Hornberg-Reichenbach. With its woollen pompoms, the picturesque-looking red Bollenhut has become a symbol of the Black Forest as a whole, despite its very local origins. The red pom-poms and white brim of the Bollenhut also is said to have inspired the top layer of the Black Forest Cake.

The broad-brimmed, whitewashed straw hat bears 14 prominent, woollen, pompoms arranged in the shape of a cross. Only eleven pompoms are visible, however, because three are covered by those on top. Spinsters wear red pompoms, married women wear black. The Bollenhut can weigh up to 2 kilogrammes and is manufactured by female milliners. The red Bollenhut may first be worn by girls at their confirmation.

Today the Bollenhut and associated Tracht are still worn on holidays and for traditional events. The Bollenhut and local costumes may be seen all year round e.g. in the Black Forest Costume Museum in Haslach im Kinzigtal.