Originally worn on the outside of costumes, the chihaya is simply made of solely of plain white cloth one bolt length wide with a cut made purposely in the middle for the wearer to put their head through.
元は装束の上より、白無地の絹一幅の中央部分のみを縦に切れ込みを入れて頭部を通すという一種の貫頭衣のようなものだったとされている。