What Do Amish Women Wear on Their Heads

The Simple Answer: What Amish Women Wear on Their Heads

Amish women wear a head covering called a prayer kapp (or simply “kapp”). It is a white or black fabric cap that covers the hair. The kapp is worn every day, not just for church. It is a symbol of humility and obedience to God, based on a passage in the Bible (1 Corinthians 11).

The style and size of the kapp vary by community. Some groups wear small, fitted caps. Others wear larger ones that sit farther back on the head. But the purpose is always the same: cover the hair and show modesty.

The Prayer Kapp: The Everyday Head Covering

The prayer kapp is the most common head covering for Amish women. It is made from lightweight fabric like cotton or organdy (a crisp, sheer cotton fabric). White kapps are for everyday wear and church. Black kapps are for more formal occasions like weddings or funerals.

The kapp has a fitted cap section that covers the crown of the head. It also has two strings (called “ties”) that hang down the front. These ties can be left hanging or tucked in, depending on the community. In some groups, the ties are always tied under the chin when a woman is in public. In others, they are left loose.

The hair is always pulled back tightly before putting on the kapp. Most Amish women wear their hair in a bun at the nape of the neck. The kapp covers the bun and all the hair above it. No hair should be visible in front of the kapp.

Different Styles by Community

Not all Amish women wear the exact same kapp. The style depends on which church district they belong to. Here are the main differences you will see:

• Swartzentruber Amish: Very large, stiff kapps that sit far back on the head. They use heavy starch to keep the shape. The ties are often left hanging.
• Old Order Amish: Medium-sized kapps with a slight heart shape on the forehead. The fabric is softer and the cap sits closer to the head.
• New Order Amish: Smaller, more fitted kapps. These look more like a simple white cap. The ties are usually tucked in.
• Beachy Amish: Very small kapps that barely cover the top of the head. Some Beachy women wear a small net or snood instead of a traditional kapp.

If you see an Amish woman in public, the size and shape of her kapp will tell you a lot about her community. A large, heavily starched kapp almost always means she belongs to a very conservative group.

The Black Cap: Worn by Married Women Only

In many Amish communities, married women wear a black cap or bonnet over their white kapp when going outside. This is often called a black bonnet or weather bonnet. It provides extra coverage and protection from the elements.

The black bonnet is a separate piece. It fits over the kapp and ties under the chin. It is made from heavier fabric like wool or stiff cotton. Most black bonnets have a brim that shades the face. They are practical for walking, working outdoors, or riding in a buggy.

Unmarried girls do not wear the black bonnet. They wear only the white kapp, even outside. This is one way to tell if an Amish woman is married or single. However, in some communities, unmarried women also wear a black bonnet for church or special events. It varies by district.

When Do Amish Women Wear Different Head Coverings?

Amish women wear the kapp almost all the time. The only time it comes off is in private — during bathing, sleeping, or intimate moments with her husband. When she wakes up, the kapp goes back on before she leaves the bedroom.

For church services, Amish women wear a freshly starched and ironed white kapp. Some communities also add a black scarf (called a “shawl” or “cape”) over the shoulders for church. This is part of their formal Sunday attire.

During weddings, the bride wears a white kapp that is often slightly different from everyday ones. It may have more pleats or a special shape. The bride’s kapp is kept as a keepsake after the wedding.

For funerals, women wear a black kapp or a white kapp with a black bonnet. Dark colors show respect and mourning. After the funeral, the widow may continue wearing darker head coverings for a period of time.

Girls start wearing a small kapp around age 2 or 3. It is not a rite of passage. They simply learn by watching their mothers. By age 5 or 6, most Amish girls wear a full-sized kapp every day.

How Amish Women Care for Their Kapps

Keeping a kapp clean and crisp takes work. Most Amish women have multiple kapps so they can rotate them. A typical woman owns 5 to 10 kapps at a time.

Kapps are hand-washed or machine-washed on a gentle cycle. They are then starched heavily to give them shape. Cornstarch or commercial spray starch does the job. After starching, the kapp is stretched over a wooden form (called a “kapp block”) to dry. This block gives the kapp its signature shape.

Once dry, the kapp is pressed with a hot iron. The ties are ironed flat and straight. The cap section is shaped by hand while pressing. A well-made kapp should hold its shape for several days of wear.

Most Amish women make their own kapps. They buy fabric from local stores or order it by catalog. The cotton organdy fabric commonly used is lightweight and breathable. It is also easy to wash and starch.

When a kapp gets too worn or stained, it is repurposed. The clean fabric is cut into patches for quilts or rags. Nothing goes to waste in an Amish home.

The Deeper Meaning Behind the Head Covering

The kapp is not just a fashion choice. It is a religious practice. Amish women cover their heads because the Bible says women should have a symbol of authority on their heads during prayer. Since Amish women pray throughout the day — before meals, after meals, in the morning, at night — they wear the covering at all times.

The kapp also serves a practical purpose. It keeps hair clean when working with animals, cooking over a wood stove, or doing farm chores. Hair that is pinned up and covered stays out of the way. It is also cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

For outsiders, the kapp can seem restrictive. But for Amish women, it is a source of identity and belonging. It marks them as part of their community. It is a visible sign of their faith, humility, and commitment to a simple, non-conforming life.

If you visit an Amish community, do not stare or take photos of women without permission. The kapp is personal and sacred to them. Treat it with the same respect you would want for your own religious practices.