montera (Hat)

The tradition of regionally distinctive dress is still a feature of some of the remote villages of highland Peru. The costumes are a mixture of Spanish influence with surviving indigenous aspects and materials. Hats of this style are worn by women for everyday and fiestas. The style of hat is European, however the practice of wearing locally distinctive hats is in accordance with old Inca custom.

worn by women

A shallow disk-shaped wool covered basketry hat. Black on top while the underside is yellow and light red-pink. Black area is divided into four sections by a white cord and stitched on. Cords end in geometric patterns consisting of red, blue, green, yellow, brown, purple, and orange fabric circles and metallic fabrics stitched in a pattern of two star shapes stitched in each section. Underside plain with ties sewn together at chin, and having green and light purple with stitching.