A Durham Girl's Guide to the Best Hijab Style
I put on the hijab for the first time in Chicago’s main airport, an hour before the flight that would take me to Durham for the first time.
Starting on this international adventure was exciting in a dizzying sort of way, and it made me feel like I was drifting away from my old life. After wrapping the hijab around my head to do the midday prayer, one of our five a day, I considered what would happen if I just… didn’t take it off. The fabric was soft, comfortable, and felt like home. It connected me to something larger than myself in a time where everything else in my life seemed out of focus and beyond my control.
For the first few months that I was practicing with the hijab, I felt completely lost. I had no idea about the functional aspects of wearing the hijab: I didn’t know how to do a hijab bun that didn’t fall halfway through the day, I wasn’t sure what pins to use or where to put them make sure the scarf didn’t fly off, and I definitely didn’t know how to tie my hijab.
I collected advice from my friends, experimented in the mirror, and, of course, turned to my Instagram feed for help. I tried to find out what styles were out there and what fabrics felt the most comfortable.
Here’s a collection of what I learned about common styles and some influencers that helped me learn them:
- Close-fitting
Close-fitting styles are easy to maintain throughout a windy Durham day, and if pinned right, they’ll last for hours. Wearing this style makes me feel confident that nothing will move around while I’m doing sports or running errands. I don’t tend to do this one often, because I prefer the fabric to be looser around my face, but jersey fabric is perfect if you’re not used to it. Satine, silk, and georgette are common to wear tightly, so find out what works best for you!
2. Loose and flowy
This is a personal favorite. While your hijab may flap around in the breeze -- make sure to use pins and a good under cap! -- this quick and wearable style emphasizes the flowy nature of a good fabric. This is the perfect one to do if you’re running late for a tutorial (which I often am) and need to throw on something quick. Chiffon and modal fabrics are great for this, especially printed cloths that can become the statement piece of your outfit.
3. Accessorized
If you’ve got a little extra time, accessorizing your hijab is a super fun method of self-expression. While stud earring may not show under the fabric, large earrings can be pinned to cover your ears while the jewelry remains visible. Repurposed hairclips or bobby pins can secure your hijab to your under cap while looking fun and whimsical. I got a cheap bag of hair cuffs off Amazon, and I love putting them on the edge of the fabric near my eyes to add some shine. Matching your hijab accessories to similar rings or earrings can tie a whole outfit together, especially if you keep the metals consistent. However, make sure you’re careful if you do this with a fabric that can snag easily, like cotton or pashmina, or you may tear a hole!
Of course, it should be said that hijab is not a trend, and it shouldn’t make Muslimas subject to whatever fast-fashion fabric is in style that month. I hope these tips can help someone find the style that they feel confident in, that feels secure and is perfectly suited to her day-to-day. After all, the concept of “hijab” isn’t just the headscarf, it’s a commitment to patient with people, charitable in every way, and to be respectful to every person you meet.
“Surely ˹for˺ Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah often—for ˹all of˺ them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
— Quran, 33:35
By Samara Patel
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