Headscarf

Headscarves or head scarves are scarves covering most or all of the top of a woman's hair and her head, leaving the face uncovered. Headscarves may be worn for a variety of purposes, such as for warmth, for sanitation, for fashion or social distinction; with religious significance, to hide baldness, out of modesty, or other forms of social convention.

Some English speakers use the word "babushka" (the word for 'grandma' in Russian:  бaбушка ) to indicate the headscarf tied below the chin, as commonly worn in Europe, especially by elderly women in Russia. In many parts of Europe, headscarves are used mainly by elderly women and this led to the use of the term "babushka", a Slavic word meaning 'grandmother'.

Headscarves may also be tied behind the head.

Some types of head coverings that Russian women wear are: circlet, veil, and wimple.

Headscarves and religion

Headscarves may specifically have a religious significance or function. For instance, in some branches of Judaism, married women are required to cover their hair with scarves, known as tichels or snoods, in compliance with the code of modesty known as tzniut. These head-coverings come in different shapes and sizes. Tichel is a veil where it covers all the hair and towards the back of the head the left over veil is made into a bun. Snoods and tzniut belong to almost the same style and are worn more like a hat.