How to Wear a Hijab: Step-by-Step Guide for Different Styles
Women worldwide celebrate hijabs daily by wrapping them in unique ways to express themselves. Whether braiding a long pink chiffon hijab or wrapping a colorful hijab as a turban, hijabis unite as they celebrate their creative freedom and identity. This meaningful and beautiful practice brings women around the globe together and continues to offer them new ways to express themselves. In this blog, we will explore different ways to wear a hijab, hijab styles for beginners, and step-by-step hijab styles so you can continue to express yourself.
Understanding the Basics of Wearing a Hijab
What is a Hijab? A hijab, which translates to “barrier,” is a scarf or covering wrapped around the head in some fashion that veils the hair. Hijabs symbolize identity and religious devotion and have existed in many cultures and religions for millennia. Hijabs carry historical significance, with roots in various religious and ethnic groups that share similar functions. Hijabs have melded throughout time to create a modern interpretation of the Hijab today. Today, hijabs vary in style, color, texture, pattern, and length. Hijab styles can differ, but most commonly expressed are classic, turban, layered, and unique styles utilizing different accessories or wrapping/braiding techniques. In addition to style, hijab materials vary, commonly chiffon, cotton, and jersey fabrics. Furthermore, these fabrics can range in color, pattern, and length.
Women usually pair hijabs with an under cap covering the hairline and ears. Under caps come in various styles and materials, often as stylish additions to the hijab scarf. Furthermore, Hijabs are not exclusive to scarves but can also vary as headpieces. A common type of headpiece is slips, which are beneficial as they typically range in function. Hijab slips are commonly used for ease of use and mobility and can vary in activities such as prayer, athletics, or daily wear. For example, women in athletics can wear a slip to keep them cool and wick moisture. Hijabs do not have to be a solo styling piece and can also be paired with different accessories like hats and jewelry to create unique styles. For example, Bucket hats with hijabs are a modern trend and give you more creative freedom to express yourself.
Exploring Headscarf materials and textures
As seen above, Hijab styles can vary in numerous ways, but a lot of creative freedom can come from the materials and textures of the headscarf alone. It’s essential to know about the fabric materials and textures, as these influence your style and the possibility of correctly wrapping your hijab. We will examine what common materials and textures exist and what occasions are optimal for them. Hijab materials include chiffon, cotton, jersey, silk, georgette, rayon, and bamboo.
- Bamboo: Bamboo-based fabric has a soft and luxurious feel while maintaining breathability. This eco-friendly fabric is popular for daily use because it is moisture-wicking and lightweight. This style typically comes in solid colors and long lengths and is optimal for casual wear.
- Chiffon: A requirement for every woman's closet, chiffon is a lightweight, sheer, and flowy fabric made of woven polyester, silk, or nylon. Because of its flowy and elegant nature, this hijab is most commonly styled with layers and paired with under caps. Chiffon has a slick and slippery feel that doesn’t have much stretch. Because of its flowy appearance, this fabric is best for special occasions. Furthermore, this fabric can come in different textures (ruffles, sinching, pleats), making hijab styling extra-dimensional.
- Cotton: Cotton fabric is an excellent choice for women interested in full coverage with minimal slipping. Cotton is a durable fabric known for its softness and sustainability in different weather conditions. Its absorbent and lightweight feel make it great for daily use, especially in more hot and humid climates. These hijabs typically come in solids but can come patterned.
- Jersey: A woman who loves coziness and comfort would love jersey fabric, known for its soft, stretchy, and tight fit. Jersey fabric consists of cotton blends, making it smooth and elastic. This material is excellent for working out or doing day-to-day activities, as it is snug, breathable, and lightweight.
- Modal: Modal is the most popular fabric choice on this list and is the most versatile because of its softness, smooth texture, and breathability. Modal hijabs can be dressed up or down and typically come in solids or varying patterns. Modal fabric is lightweight and sheer and is derived from beech trees. Unlike chiffon, modal has a slight stretch and is moisture-wicking, allowing you to style it for everyday looks with many different wrapping techniques.
- Silk: The most luxurious fabric on the list, silk is a non-sheer, smooth, and glossy fabric best suited for special occasions. It is lightweight and breathable, making it best for special events in hotter months. Silk typically comes patterned and is an excellent choice as a statement piece. Because of its slickness, this type of hijab often requires an under cap and pins or magnets to keep it in place. Furthermore, this delicate fabric must be hand-washed to preserve its quality.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Wear a Hijab
This section will teach you how to wrap a hijab and common hijab-wrapping techniques.
Style 1: Classic Wrap Style
Best fabrics: Modal, cotton, or jersey
Additional items: Under caps, pins, or magnets if using silk or chiffon
Steps to create a classic wrap hijab style:
- Drape the scarf over your head with the edge along your forehead. Adjust the scarf so the longer end is on the right side and the shorter one is on the left.
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Drape the longer end of the scarf entirely over the head and around to the other shoulder. Pin the top of the head if needed.
- You can keep the long side draped over the front of the shoulder or throw it behind the back of the shoulder.
Style 2: Turban Style Hijab
Best fabrics: Modal, bamboo, or jersey
Additional items: Under cap if wanted but not required
Steps to create a turban hijab style:
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Drape the scarf over your head with the left side of the scarf starting a bit shorter than the right side, starting with the scarf ends in front of your shoulders.
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Keeping the hijab draped on your head, bring both ends of the scarf behind your back, twist the ends, and bring them back to the front of your shoulders, securing the hijab around your head.
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Pull the two ends so it tightens around your head.
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Grab the left end of the scarf and drape it around your head, folding in any flyaways or loose ends.The two ends of the scarf should be on the same side as your shoulder.
- Grab the two ends and tie a knot.
Style 3: Layered Hijab Style
Best fabrics: Chiffon, cotton, or jersey
Additional items: Under caps, pins, or magnets if using silk or chiffon
Steps to create a layered hijab style:
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Drape the scarf over your head with the left side of the scarf starting considerably shorter than the right side.
- Grab the corner of the left side of the scarf, pull it in front of your face, under your neck, and around to the crown of your head, and pin the edge there.
- Optional: secure the scarf with another pin near the ear
- Optional: you can stop here if this is your desired look. Continue if you desire more layers in your hijab.
- Bring the long right piece around the back of your neck, keeping the scarf fully extended and smooth.
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Take the extended scarf and pull it over your head.
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Adjust the hijab and make sure there are no awkward layers or creases. Secure the hijab with pins as needed.
Tips for Wearing a Hijab Comfortably
Wearing and styling hijabs depends on personal preferences, but here are some helpful tips to maintain comfort while expressing your style.
- Choose fabrics best suited for comfort and breathability
For everyday looks, try to prioritize fabrics that are soft and breathable. Cotton, chiffon, and jersey are excellent choices for hotter months and do not irritate skin.
- Avoid tightly tying your hijab and tight pins.
Tightly tying your hijab can cause migraines and headaches, make breathing more complex, and irritate your hairline/scalp. Opt for more relaxed fits to avoid these common discomforts.
- Wear an under cap or other hijab accessories.
One popular hijab accessory is an under cap. Wearing an under cap is optional, but sometimes, it can help avoid slipping and offer extra protection to cover your hairline (if wanted). Under caps can also add another dimension of style by introducing different colors and textures to your look. Another hijab accessory that is similar to an under cap but a little lighter is a headband. Headbands are great options to minimize slip and provide additional style while reducing material.
- Moisturize and prep your scalp
Always moisturize and prep your scalp for extended hijab use. Prepping is essential because hijabs can pull on your hair and damage it over time. Frequent moisturizing routines will reduce itchiness and dryness and promote healthy hair growth.
- Wear hair in low styles.
Wearing hair in a low style reduces the pressure of the hijab on the back of your head. You can also wear a scrunchie to secure these low styles and offer volume under your hijab.
Conclusion
In this blog, we described a hijab, how to wear one, hijab materials and textures, hijab styles for beginners, and step-by-step hijab tutorials for the turban, layered, and classic hijab looks. We also covered tips for wearing a hijab and the best materials for comfortable hijab styles. Lastly, we covered unique hijab accessories and different ways to incorporate these accessories into your easy hijab styles.
We would love to see your looks- please share your favorite hijab styles and check out the hijabs we have for you!
