Styles of Hijab

[xDreamerx]

I have some questions about the hijab. I don't want to wear one but I am curious about the different styles. Sometimes I see women with a more rounded look, others have a more squared in the back look like Nawal on American Muslim. Some have more fabric in the front, some have less. Some have what I assumed were just for fashion but apparently are North African. Are most of the styles regional? Or is it like most other fashions where each person or groups of people tend to make up their own thing? I'm just curious. I tried to google this, but wikipedia's article on hijab is lame and the other sites that came up with either selling scarfs for hijab or were religious in nature explaining the reasons why women wear not the sort of history and/or culture behind it which is what I'm interested in.

Anyone? :)

[saraelise]

I think most styles are regional, at least in origin. But a lot of styles are also determined by political inclination. Think of the Iranian chador which is the same throughout Iran, the Afghan burka etc. These are styles that aren't determined by region but by religious politics. I think among muslims that live as minorities/in Western countries the style of hijab worn can be very similar.

I'm trying to find some examples of the style mostly seen in Western Europe, hold on.

[Sunnichick31]

Differennt styles are definitly cultural (for example, in Turkey they wear mostly square scarves which they fold into a triangle and wear like that, whereas in other countries you'll find square scarves or long rectangular ones like what you would see in accesories stores here) but a lot of it is personal preference too. I have a little bit of everything, but prefer square ones because they are looser around the neck, whereas wrapping a longer scarf around my head and neck ends up choking me LOL.

http://cadhighahijabstyle.com/wp-conten ... -Islam.gif

Edited to add-maybe you'd like to check out some hijab fashion blogs?

http://stylishmuslimah.blogspot.com/

(note-I HATE this girls photos because she portrays the hijab badly. her clothes are too tight and high heels are a no-no! but i'll put it on here anyway since it is a "hijab" fashion site http://hijabrevival.blogspot.com/

I LOVE this girls blog. It's one of my faves, so sad that she hasn't updated lately. http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/

This one is OK. http://www.misshijabi.com/

And another one of my favorites- http://muhajabat.wordpress.com/

[saraelise]

I mean, I definitely think most individuals will work with their own limits for modesty and sense of fashion and create their own style.

This is quite like the hijabs you see Turkish women wear: http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxht3 ... o1_400.png

This is very common in Western/Northern Europe, often on women from all sorts of regional backgrounds: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxuqp ... o1_500.png

Women from African countries (I assume Swahili speaking places) often wear a big veil which essentially covers all of them and goves over bags etc. so very obviously an outdoor veil. I can't find a picture.

Anyway, these are some of the styles that are very common amongst European muslim women.

[Sunnichick31]

I mean, I definitely think most individuals will work with their own limits for modesty and sense of fashion and create their own style.

This is quite like the hijabs you see Turkish women wear: http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxht3 ... o1_400.png

This is very common in Western/Northern Europe, often on women from all sorts of regional backgrounds: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxuqp ... o1_500.png

Women from African countries (I assume Swahili speaking places) often wear a big veil which essentially covers all of them and goves over bags etc. so very obviously an outdoor veil. I can't find a picture.

Anyway, these are some of the styles that are very common amongst European muslim women.

Do you mean these?? http://muhajabat.files.wordpress.com/20 ... iopian.png

[saraelise]

Do you mean these?? http://muhajabat.files.wordpress.com/20 ... iopian.png

Yes, exactly! I didn't know what they were called.

[Sunnichick31]

They're called khimars. I have a couple, but they aren't very common outside of the African community. There is a slightly different style worn in parts of Asia (like Indonesia and Malaysia) it's a lot shorter and it's more stylish.

like this--http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4245091014_06d7906fbb.jpg

[0KidsAndHappy]

I've always been fond of the hijab, not in any religious sense, but I simply love the way they look. I always find myself staring at women who wear one because of how much it emphasizes their beauty. I hate that I do it, especially somewhere like an airport or mall, because I know that it has to be infuriating constantly being stared at by people thinking negative things. It's hard not to, though, as I always catch myself admiring naturally beautiful people in public ... the hijab totally makes natural beauty stand out even more. (Yeah, yeah, I know ... the large majority are worn with modesty in mind, but beauty is still beauty. :oops:)

[saraelise]

I've never seen them on non-African women, except maybe for those shorter ones. They're very nice! I love the variety in style.

[holierthanyou]

Edited to add-maybe you'd like to check out some hijab fashion blogs?

http://stylishmuslimah.blogspot.com/

(note-I HATE this girls photos because she portrays the hijab badly. her clothes are too tight and high heels are a no-no! but i'll put it on here anyway since it is a "hijab" fashion site http://hijabrevival.blogspot.com/

I LOVE this girls blog. It's one of my faves, so sad that she hasn't updated lately. http://ilovehishmatheblog.blogspot.com/

This one is OK. http://www.misshijabi.com/

And another one of my favorites- http://muhajabat.wordpress.com/

Uh-oh! That almost sounds like Fundy-Speak! :doh:

[Sunnichick31]

I've always been fond of the hijab, not in any religious sense, but I simply love the way they look. I always find myself staring at women who wear one because of how much it emphasizes their beauty. I hate that I do it, especially somewhere like an airport or mall, because I know that it has to be infuriating constantly being stared at by people thinking negative things. It's hard not to, though, as I always catch myself admiring naturally beautiful people in public ... the hijab totally makes natural beauty stand out even more. (Yeah, yeah, I know ... the large majority are worn with modesty in mind, but beauty is still beauty. :oops:)

I have to agree. I think it's how the hijab frames the face. That's probably what brings out the natural beauty. I also have always thought that.

Uh-oh! That almost sounds like Fundy-Speak!

I know, I thought that as I was typing, but it's like, she's trying to show everyone how she dresses so modestly and perfectly, while accentuating her waist (it's a no-no) wearing heels-also a no-no, and wearing sleeves that only go to her elbows. For a hijabi blog, it's not right, but if it were just a plain fashion blog, the stuff is fine, if that makes any sense.

[holierthanyou]

I know, I thought that as I was typing, but it's like, she's trying to show everyone how she dresses so modestly and perfectly, while accentuating her waist (it's a no-no) wearing heels-also a no-no, and wearing sleeves that only go to her elbows. For a hijabi blog, it's not right, but if it were just a plain fashion blog, the stuff is fine, if that makes any sense.

Ok, my mind automatically starts making parallels to Christian modesty blogs (apologies for the inappropriateness of my brain always making those parallels in the first place). I understand how the 'expectations' for a fashion blog are going to be different than that of a religious modesty blog, but personally I would still see it as fundy-esque to call out a religious modesty blog on not adhering to the 'right' standards of modesty (i.e. everyone might interpret modesty differently, even within the same religion).

Please correct me if I am trying to compare oranges to apples here (because I realize I may very well be), but to me I might compare it to the Seven Sisters blog admonishing readers about the 'low modesty standards' of ZsuZsu's blog, because ZsuZsu doesn't wear a prayer covering over her head. I realize that both of the writers of those blogs identify as "modesty"-obsessed Christians, but can't they legitimately have their own personal standards of modesty still?

[HijabiLady]

Alas I prefer the 2 piece Amira style, you can order then by the handfuls on Ebay. I own waaaay too many hijabs to co-ordinate with my clothing. :blush: Some women have a lot of shoes....I have a lot of hijabs.

[HijabiLady]

Ok, my mind automatically starts making parallels to Christian modesty blogs (apologies for the inappropriateness of my brain always making those parallels in the first place). I understand how the 'expectations' for a fashion blog are going to be different than that of a religious modesty blog, but personally I would still see it as fundy-esque to call out a religious modesty blog on not adhering to the 'right' standards of modesty (i.e. everyone might interpret modesty differently, even within the same religion).

Please correct me if I am trying to compare oranges to apples here (because I realize I may very well be), but to me I might compare it to the Seven Sisters blog admonishing readers about the 'low modesty standards' of ZsuZsu's blog, because ZsuZsu doesn't wear a prayer covering over her head. I realize that both of the writers of those blogs identify as "modesty"-obsessed Christians, but can't they legitimately have their own personal standards of modesty still?

well a lot of people think hijab means just ahead scarf but that is not entirely accurate. Bare minimum for hijab is supposed to be non form fitting clothing. This applies to both men and women in Islam. Of course you will see tons of hypocrisy with women wearing long flowing abayas and their husband walking around in tight pants, shorts, etc., Where I live I see a lot of young teenage girls wearing head scarfs but super tight clothing. I know a big part of this is just teenagers doing their thing so I don't raise my eyebrow. But i have seen adult women wearing the head scarf but t-shirts which makes me scratch my head.The jurisprudence (fiqh) is very clear that sleeves are supposed to go to the wrist. At first I thought these weren't Muslim women but they salaamed me so I just came away perplexed.

Meh, live and let live.

[Kaylee]

Please correct me if I am trying to compare oranges to apples here (because I realize I may very well be), but to me I might compare it to the Seven Sisters blog admonishing readers about the 'low modesty standards' of ZsuZsu's blog, because ZsuZsu doesn't wear a prayer covering over her head. I realize that both of the writers of those blogs identify as "modesty"-obsessed Christians, but can't they legitimately have their own personal standards of modesty still?

I think the difference may be that there is an agreement in the standards in Islam (at least withing various sects or followers of a certain teacher or set of rules, I forget what that's called), while most of the fundie bloggers are sort of setting their own standards and making it up as they go, rather than following a set of standards agreed upon by the community. To me, it would be like an Orthodox Jewish poster mentioning that a certain outfit on a "Orthodox" fashion blog did not meet the accepted rules for Orthodox modesty, or someone Amish/ex-Amish pointing out that a Mennonite or Amish-style dress or covering would not be acceptable under their communty's dress code.

[Sunnichick31]

I think the difference may be that there is an agreement in the standards in Islam (at least withing various sects or followers of a certain teacher or set of rules, I forget what that's called), while most of the fundie bloggers are sort of setting their own standards and making it up as they go, rather than following a set of standards agreed upon by the community. To me, it would be like an Orthodox Jewish poster mentioning that a certain outfit on a "Orthodox" fashion blog did not meet the accepted rules for Orthodox modesty, or someone Amish/ex-Amish pointing out that a Mennonite or Amish-style dress or covering would not be acceptable under their communty's dress code.

That's a good way of putting it. :)

Alas I prefer the 2 piece Amira style, you can order then by the handfuls on Ebay.

I can't wear most of them. I really hate having things right against my neck (it just feels like I'm choking) so I can only wear super loose amira hijabs. they have some super cute ones out there though. I always buy the hijabs and then just use the undercap if I really am in love with the pattern. Hijabgirl.com sells amiras in bulk, have you checked them out?

[Sola]

I love these http://thehijablog.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/fly-hijabi/ they look so beautiful and elegant.

[Avalondaughter]

A few years ago a Kuwaiti woman from one of their oil companies came to work in my office on a special project. Actually two Kuwaiti women, but only one was religious and worethe hijab. Anyway, She always just draped a fabulous long scarf over her head. I see a lot of hijabs that look like hoods, like they were meant to be worn as hijab. This woman always wore what looked like a western scarf, but draped it perfectly over her head.

[SpeshulTaterTot]

I grew up and still live in a very Muslim neighborhood and often see girls who make me wonder why they wear hijabs at all. Tight clothes, high heels, about a ton of make-up. I realize many of them see it as an accessory, but I don't know. I agree that the hijab frames the face and makes many women look absolutely gorgeous, but I don't see the point if you're wearing it with a mini skirt.

[Sunnichick31]

Slightly off topic-this is a kinda interesting documentary I found a while back.

Here's the link to part 1-

the other parts can be found in the related videos.

[HijabiLady]

Hijabgirl.com sells amiras in bulk, have you checked them out?

Oh...this is bad. I already see about 6 of them I MUST have.

[Clementine]

LOVE this!

http://hijabrevival.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... wahat.html

That would be a perfect dress to wear around the house during the hot humid summer days. I prefer to be covered and not show too much skin. It also would be a great beach cover.

[snarkykitty]

I don't want to make this sound patronizing, but it seems that a lot of women who wear a hijab or tichel (Jewish) have absolutely gorgeous faces? Living close enough to NYC, there is a lot diversity. I think it's because of ethnic influences - facial bone structure, color of skin, proportion of eyes, nose and mouth, etc.

I mean, if I kept my hair covered, I think I would look pretty awful. While I don't want to reduce a symbol of faith to just a fashion, it's obvious that women of all faiths like to dress fashionably, even the women who wear head coverings that cover more.

Has anyone here ever wrapped a scarf on their head, covering every piece of hair to see what they look like? I have seen old photos of family in Italy and Lithuania who wore some sort of covering but it was more of a kerchief style - it didn't come around the throat and it just tied at the nape of the neck. I don't think I'd even look good in that, but I'm willing to give it a try. I just don't think I have a face that can stand on its own!!

[0KidsAndHappy]

Has anyone here ever wrapped a scarf on their head, covering every piece of hair to see what they look like?

I do it all the time and I would absolutely love to wear a hijab (or just a head scarf fashioned similarly) outside of my home. It brings out my cheek bones and somehow makes my blotchy skin looked more balanced. It also draws attention to my eyes and away from my nose (what I consider my best and worst features, respectively). However, because of where I live, I have almost no doubt that something bad could happen simply by wearing it. I also would feel a bit disrespectful wearing something that is of religious significance to so many people as a fashion statement, even if though I wouldn't be doing it out of any disrespect. I've read a few blogs by Muslim women who talk about this and say they don't find any offense in non-Muslim women wearing them ... but I tend to go overboard with my PCness at times.

[bugsy]

There are women who take the same bus that I do who are absolutley stunning in their Hijab. I've always wanted to compliment them on it, but I'm not sure if that would be innapropriate. I feel like such a weirdo sometimes.