Asnood (/snuːd/) is a type of traditionally femaleheadgear, with two types known. The long-goneScottish snood was acirclet made of ribbon worn by young Scottish women as a symbol ofchastity.[1] In the 1590s, snoods were made using Florentine silk ribbon for the gentlewomen at the court ofAnne of Denmark byElizabeth Gibb.[2]
The other type was intended to hold the hair in a cloth or net-like hat.[3][4] In the most common form, the headgear resembles a close-fittinghood worn over the back of the head. It is similar to ahairnet,[4] but snoods typically have a looser fit.[5]
Decorative hairnets, popular among women in theVictorian era, were referred to as snoods. This term was then applied to any netlike hat, and, in the 1930s, to a net bag headgear. This latter meaning became popular during theSecond World War when women joined the workforceen masse and were required to wear the headgear to avoid their hair getting caught by the moving parts of the factory machinery.[3]
For a short time during WWII, the snoods were at the height of fashion (a hit of Paris collections in 1939).[6]
Another similar garment which is also referred to as a snood is used to cover facial hair such as beards and moustaches when working in environments such as food production.[7] Although it appears that "hairnet" has replaced "snood" as the common term for hair containment on the head, the term "beard snood" (essentially a "ringed scarf") is still familiar in many food production facilities.[citation needed]
Women's snoods are often worn by marriedOrthodox Jewish women,[8] according to the religious requirement of hair covering (seeTzniut). Since these snoods are designed to cover the hair more than hold it,[9] they are often lined to prevent them from being see-through. Contemporary hair snoods for Jewish women come in a wide range of colors and designs.[10]
In the 21st century, women use snoods primarily for religious reasons.[11]
Snoods ... They're like a hair net but have a looser fit and much coarser mesh ...
