Evolution of Hijab

So what is the history behind the evolution of hijab?

Whether you've worn hijab for a few years or for what seems like a lifetime, chances are your hijab style has evolved. Maybe you started out wearing squares or one-piece hijabs. Maybe you had trouble finding good hijabs and picked up whatever you could from department stores, overseas or from Muslim conventions. Maybe you took pashmina shawls and wrapped those.

However you wrapped your hijab "back then," hijabs and hijab styles have changed as well as our confidence and conviction with how we wear our hijab. Have like-minded ancestors like us been wearing the hijab the same way we have? Did they have a range of options like Georgette, Cotton, Printed to choose from? Probably not.

Nowadays many influencers, entrepreneurs, bloggers, models, and athletes are breaking the stereotypical modest fashion barriers by owning hijab and muslim apparel companies, performing hijab tutorials and styling various clothing pieces, turning heads on the runway, and even achieving victory in the olympics. Therefore, these Muslim women are refreshing examples of individuals who prove that their religion does not place restrictions on differing self-expressions.

Hijab, over the years has had many notable transformations, leading us to the now, a world where we style our hijabs as per our liking, wear outfits that blend well with it, sometimes even accessorise according to the colour of our hijab.

Back in the day, there were times when hijab was seen in a more aggressive light, where practices of seclusion lead to women covering their faces in the presence of outsiders. We had times when the purdah defined our social class and not just our freedom of choosing Modesty.

The hijab has evolved quite a lot over the years with styles like Burqa, Niqab, Turban, Jilbab, accessorized hijabs, etc but women around the world are still looked down on what is in-fact their birth-right.

Despite the introduction to modest fashion, there is a certain judgment present in the community. This judgment often derives from the notion of individuals who were influenced culturally based on their ethnic/residential backgrounds.  One of those popular opinions are that Muslim women should not wear bright color clothing or hijabs, they should wear their hijab in basic (old fashioned) styles, and they should avoid wearing anything that’s attractive. Often, this type of thinking would labeled as conservative.

While we do respect the opinions of others as a community, it does not have to place limitations on those who desire to express their unique sense of style.  Everyone’s stylistic personality will differ, but as long as they are personally comfortable, enjoy what they are wearing, and portray confidence for their level/satisfactory of modesty, judgment should diminish and cease.

Do let me know your views on this topic.

-Fathima Nisar