There were over 100 types of hats, different in shape and purpose – for young and old, men and woman, fashionable and everyday hats. For summer and winter, holiday and ceremonies. Regular hats like “louz” can serve for all occasions. In winter the hat edges can be lowered and protect against wind or cold. On warmer days sides are rolled up and tied on back side.
Hats are very functional, but also make the main piece of the clothes. Each hat was richly embroidered with silk, velvet, ornaments, furs and even precious stones. Often long tassels and red strips streaming in wind would make the owner look very stylish. That is why an expression “red  tasseled Mongols” was often used. The hats embroidery and ornaments would also indicate the social status and even age of its owner. It is advisable to keep one’s hat on when entering gher, a traditional nomadic dwelling. The rules of etiquette forbade to greet or meet anybody bareheaded. In the olden days neither a man, nor woman was allowed to go into the street or enter some¬one’s house without wearing a hat.

In old times it was considered to be a humiliating punishment if the “zangia” – a round shaped knot decoration crowninna the hat, was torn off. To tread or step over it is considered to be insult to the owner. Greeting another person or wishing goodwill always done with one’s hat on as a sign of respect. Such a traditional impor-tached to headdresses in the past is still carries on.