Fabric, shape and pins
Hijab styles and fabrics for Muslim women
Which fabric for which day, how big a scarf you need, and how to pin it so it stays put.
Hijab sizes at a glance
- 180 × 70 cm a typical maxi hijab: long enough to wrap and cover the chest Common UK shop size
- 115 cm a typical square hijab, folded into a triangle Common UK shop size
- 1 underscarf (bonnet) keeps hair tidy and stops slipping Hijab basics
- 2 pins for most styles: one under the chin, one at the side Hijab basics
Choosing a fabric
Each fabric has its day.
- Jersey: stretchy and soft, with no pins needed. Good for school, sport and long days, though warm in summer.
- Chiffon: light and floaty for occasions. It slips and can be sheer, so wear it over an underscarf.
- Crinkle cotton: breathes, grips well and needs no ironing.
- Viscose and modal: soft everyday scarves that drape well.
- Satin and silk: smart for weddings and Eid, but slippery, so pin them over a grip underscarf.
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Square or maxi?
Two shapes, many styles. A square scarf, folded into a triangle, is quick and neat, and suits school and work. A maxi (a long rectangle) wraps more ways and covers the chest generously without a second layer. Instant or slip-on hijabs, with a sewn-in front, are the quickest of all and suit girls who are just starting.
Pinning safely, for Muslim women and girls
Pins out of your mouth. Doctors have treated many women and girls who breathed in a pin they were holding between their lips while tying a scarf, so keep pins in a dish or on a cushion. Use safety pins rather than straight pins near the face, and if you use magnets, keep them away from small children, because two swallowed magnets can pinch through the gut.
For school, work and sport
Practical first. For PE and the gym, a one-piece jersey or sports hijab stays on without pins. For school, a plain square in the uniform colour is neat and quick. For work, a crinkle cotton or viscose maxi looks smart all day, and a dark underscarf hides any slips. For prayer at work, a slip-on hijab saves time.