The hijab is more than just a headscarf, it is a concept. Literally, hijab means a curtain or a veil. Muslim women wear a hijab as a measure of modesty. As a concept, it directs both men and women to lower their gaze. Hijab is a staple piece of clothing for women following Islam.

Muslim men in some parts of the world also follow the concept of hijab by sporting a hat. However, it is totally left to the discretion of women whether they want to wear hijab or not. Also, the style of wearing hijab has evolved over the years. Today there are different styles of tying a hijab prevalent in different Islamic countries of the world. The most common types of hijab worn by women are:

1. THE SIMPLE HIJAB: This hijab style is simple and is followed by a large majority of Muslim women. The simple hijab is just a square scarf which is draped over the head.
2. THE SHAYLA: This type of hijab has an artistic touch to it. Instead of a square, this hijab has a rectangular surface. The draping process is the same but it is pinned on the side of the forehead and some part is left hanging.
3. THE TURBAN HIJAB: As the name suggests, it is draped over the head in a turban style. The surface of the hijab is rectangular. After the draping is complete, it leaves the face clear like all the hijabs do.
4. THE KHIMAR HIJAB: The surface of this hijab is also rectangular. Some part of the hijab after draping hangs on the back like a cape.

These are the 4 most prevalent hijab styles. However, there are many more hijab styles which you can try.

With the changing fashion trends, the hijab styles have also changed. There are a lot of fabrics which are used to make hijab. Cotton, chiffon, wool, and georgette are used to make hijab. Georgette hijabs are the best in terms of looks, fabric, and comfort. But cotton hijabs are used most commonly for regular day to day use.

Various hijab accessories are also available in the market to hold the hijab in place. The georgette hijab is very comfortable but the only drawback is that it slips over the head. Pins are used to hold the georgette hijab in place. Using too many pins can inflict damage on the hijab. Therefore to keep the georgette hijab or any other hijab in place, one must use special hijab pins. These pins are easily available in the market. Also, you can use an underscarf to avoid chafing of the area that covers the hair. The underscarf increases the life of the hijab regardless of the fabric it is made from.

A large majority of the actions we do, the food we eat, the dresses we wear is influenced by the religion we are born into or the religion we choose to follow. It might surprise you to know that Islam is the second largest religion in the world followed by Hinduism and Buddhism. Also, it is one of the strictest religions and disrespect or nonadherence to any rule calls for serious repercussions. Some Islamic countries have a death penalty for women who don’t wear the burkha for whatsoever reason.

There are countries which are very liberal about the burkha. There is no hard and fast rule to veil or not to veil. According to Islam, women must wear a burkha in front of all those men who could potentially marry her. This basically means that a Muslim woman need not wear a burqa in front of her immediate family members.

Most Muslim women wear a black burka . Since the beginning, black is the color of the cloth used for making burkha. The burka has grills on the facial region through which the women can see, speak, and breath. The burka is basically a robe that flows to the ankle. Only hands are visible in the burka. Back in the days, this piece of clothing was worn by Muslim women but today, women from all conventions do not have to wear this piece of cloth.

Burqa is mostly made of cotton and silk fabric. There are many Islamic dresses that look like the burka. One of them is the niqab. The niqab and burka are almost the same. The only difference is that the niqab has a slice on the headpiece for viewing while the headpiece in a burka has grills through which women can see, breath and speak. Hijab, on the other hand, is just the headscarf. It covers the hair, ears, neck, and some part of the forehead.

Fashion designers have changed the look of the traditional black burka to give it a more trendy and fresh feel. Embroidery on the border, intricate needlework are some of the tweaks that fashion designers have added to the burqa. A large majority of women have embraced this burka fashion. On the other hand, orthodox Muslim people see this change as derogatory.

Burka is the most politicized piece of clothing. Debates on whether or not the burka pop up every now and then in different countries. The burqas will not be banished anytime soon and you will be able to see different types of burka fashions in the near future. The base color which is black may remain the same because it has a significant significance in Islam.

According to an Islamic theory, black is the base color in burka because it gives a modest view. However, the change in fashion trends, blue, green and red are also available in the market.