Is the headdress still worn?

Yes and no… It is no longer worn by women from traditional society, i.e. women who have worn it all their lives since they were little girls. But that doesn’t mean it’s disappeared! Today, it is the traditional groups that keep this tradition alive, performing at festivals and other cultural events. Each of them has a deep-seated desire to respect the codes and customs, to leave nothing to chance and to make this culture their own, without being backward-looking. A lot of young people are getting involved in these groups, so the future of the headdress is safe!

How does a large headdress stay up? It’s an intriguing question! First of all, it has to be starched, i.e. stiffened with starch. It’s a long process, and one that requires a bit of work (ironing was a real profession in the old days). After being thoroughly washed, so that it is white (bordering on blue to make it even brighter), the headdress, which for the moment is as soft as a piece of cloth, is coated with a clever mixture of starch, paraffin and water. It is then iron-dried to give it its shape. This is a long process, as it takes around 45 minutes to dry the headdress, taking care not to burn it!

These are two completely different techniques. Lace has no backing , and is made by interweaving threads (and using a hook in the case of picot lace). Embroidery, on the other hand, is made from a backing. A woollen sheet for a waistcoat, tulle or organdy for a headdress, to which thread is added using a needle. The Bigouden headdress is therefore embroidered and not made of lace. There was very little lace on Bigouden garments, although some could be found at the beginning of the century on the ruffs of toddlers. On the other hand, picot lace was found in the form of doilies.

Where can I take an embroidery workshop?

At the Abri du marin in Sainte-Marine twice in the summer, with Nadine Chaminand.

How do you put on a Bigouden headdress?

It’s rather more complex than just putting on a hat. First of all, long hair is essential. The base is held in place by the hair: a bonnet , or koef blev in Breton, is placed on top of which the hair is finely pulled back and secured with a velvet ribbon and pins. A circular comb is then used to attach the back of the headdress, the dalet , and then the headdress, to which the laces have been pinned. Once attached, still using pins, the laces are fastened to form a knot at the side. Finish the hairstyle by making pretty heart-shaped clips with the front hair. And to help you understand, here’s a link to an instructional video.

Headdresses and costumes | Destination Pays Bigouden, Brittany

The story of the little hat that became a big hat...

In Pays Bigouden, the traditional headdress was surprisingly small in the 19th century, particularly compared to everywhere else in Brittany.

Then, at the beginning of the 20th century, local women stopped placing it on the edge of the forehead, but fixed the headdress further back on a circular comb, which allowed the designs to soar – in all senses!

From headdresses of around 10 cm in the 1910s, to around 20 cm in the 1920s, the Bigouden headdress reached over 33-35 cm in the 1940s.

A culture bigoudène

The Bigouden region has said goodbye to wearing headdresses every day. The design grew so much due to the impetus of the inhabitants and a certain competition between the young girls, each wanting to stand out a little from the next.

Today, this tradition has been maintained, not forgotten!

The headdress is the story of the Bigoudène woman, who could adapt it over the years, in line with fashion. This headdress is a symbol, part of the local memory.

It has grown thanks to the young girls of the region, thanks to their daring, their pride and their character. The headdress has become a signature. Far beyond the Bigouden region, it is now, by association, the symbol of Brittany.

Where can I see headdresses?

Grand parade of the Festival des brodeuses, second weekend in July
Musée Bigouden, from summer 2026.
Mondays in summer, 6pm, Lesconil harbour, costume parade and dance initiation, free.
Entre terre et mer parade in Penmarc’h in August.
And also at other traditional events.

Consult the calendar of events

FAQ

Is the headdress still worn?
Yes and no… It is no longer worn by women from traditional society, i.e. women who have worn it all their lives since they were little girls. But that doesn’t mean it’s disappeared! Today, it is the traditional groups that keep this tradition alive, performing at festivals and other cultural events.
Each of them has a deep-seated desire to respect the codes and customs, to leave nothing to chance and to make this culture their own, without being backward-looking.
A lot of young people are getting involved in these groups, so the future of the headdress is safe!
How does it stay up?
How does a large headdress stay up? It’s an intriguing question!
First of all, it has to be starched, i.e. stiffened with starch. It’s a long process, and one that requires a bit of work (ironing was a real profession in the old days).
After being thoroughly washed, so that it is white (bordering on blue to make it even brighter), the headdress, which for the moment is as soft as a piece of cloth, is coated with a clever mixture of starch, paraffin and water. It is then iron-dried to give it its shape. This is a long process, as it takes around 45 minutes to dry the headdress, taking care not to burn it!
Embroidery or lace?
These are two completely different techniques. Lace has no backing, and is made by interweaving threads (and using a hook in the case of picot lace).
Embroidery, on the other hand, is made from a backing. A woollen sheet for a waistcoat, tulle or organdy for a headdress, to which thread is added using a needle. The Bigouden headdress is therefore embroidered and not made of lace.
There was very little lace on Bigouden garments, although some could be found at the beginning of the century on the ruffs of toddlers. On the other hand, picot lace was found in the form of doilies.

Where can I take an embroidery workshop?
How do you put on a Bigouden headdress?
It’s rather more complex than just putting on a hat. First of all, long hair is essential. The base is held in place by the hair: a bonnet, or koef blev in Breton, is placed on top of which the hair is finely pulled back and secured with a velvet ribbon and pins.
A circular comb is then used to attach the back of the headdress, the dalet, and then the headdress, to which the laces have been pinned. Once attached, still using pins, the laces are fastened to form a knot at the side. Finish the hairstyle by making pretty heart-shaped clips with the front hair.
And to help you understand, here’s a link to an instructional video.

Embroidery has always been my passion. I embroider and create in my studio. I also offer workshops for those who want to learn this ancient technique.
These workshops take place twice a summer at l’Abri du marin in Sainte-Marine and places need to be booked in advance.

Nadine Chaminand

The Bigouden costume

From everyday garment to costume

Bigouden clothing was worn to work, built to brave storms and to attend local festivals. Even if it’s no longer worn on a daily basis, the tradition is still alive and well. From museums and workshops to bagadoù music groups and festivals, the costume is exhibited, preserved, reworked and celebrated.

Take a tour of this region to get a better idea of the subtleties and richness of Bigouden embroidery.

Embroiderers, a guild

Before it became ornamental, embroidery was first and foremost functional on clothing. It was used to attach a silk or velvet ribbon or to cover a seam. Little by little, embroidery began to spread and was inspired by fashionable French motifs. Embroidery on peasant clothes remained highly codified.

The clothes were made from black or blue woollen cloth, lined with linen for the breastplates. They were embroidered by men, as very thick fabrics had to be pierced and a certain amount of strength was required to prick and push the needle.

The tennerien neud embroiderers (thread-pullers in Breton) were invited by families to stay for a communion or a wedding, while the waistcoat was being made. They usually worked alone on the floor, cross-legged, bent over their work on which they placed motifs according to the social rank, community and heritage of their client.

Bigouden embroiderers long formed a powerful guild. At the end of the 19th century, there were several in the Pont-l’Abbé region. They were aware of new trends in Parisian fashion, and it was through them that embroidery designs in a variety of styles appeared.