Written by Sondos Amer
Wearing the hijab can be a complicated journey. One filled with both good hijab days and bad hijab days.
I started wearing hijab full time when I just started college. I considered myself to be a little late or behind on everything compared to other people I knew who began to wear the hijab in high school or earlier. The summer before my first year of college my mom took me to a hijab store in Anaheim, CA. Entering the store I was excited to begin shopping as my eyes caught the colorful abayas draped on display and the hundreds of colored hijabs stacked on top of one another. It was like a beautiful colorful world made just for me to start my journey.
I chose many different colors and types. I also got some types of instant hijabs and it made it more structured for me. As the years passed I began to learn more of my personal likes and dislikes. I began to figure out that the hijab isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that there are so many different fabrics and even hijab accessories I didn't even know existed.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned when choosing hijab fabric is that the "perfect" hijab depends heavily on the weather.
Most of the hijabs I started out with were simple cotton but when I started expanding my tastes I did try out the popular, but elegant chiffon fabric.
Best Hijab Fabric for Winter: Chiffon
Chiffon is beautiful, elegant, and lightweight, but it can be tricky. Because it's often see-through, you almost always need an undercap to make it work.
I love the elegant and flowy look of a chiffon hijab at all times and don’t get me wrong a good undercap is great to have for a more polished look, but I’ve had to come to the realization that it just isn’t the most comfortable in the summer heat. Over the summer I just couldn’t handle my trusty undercap with an extended neck covering. I simply just felt too closed in.
Best Hijab Fabric for Summer: Jersey
When the temperature rises, jersey is my MVP. Unlike chiffon, it’s opaque enough that you can often skip the undercap entirely. Just one layer and you’re good to go. It feels soft and cool against the skin, and because it’s a bit "grippy," it stays in place even when you're active.
I admit I was a bit stubborn to use jersey hijabs at first. I thought nothing could top the elegance of chiffon, but experimenting with jersey helped me realize how smooth, cute, and simple it can look.
Best Everyday Hijab Fabric: Modal
Modal holds a bit of a mix of chiffon and jersey. It's breathable and light like jersey, but also might need an undercap like chiffon depending on its color or thickness. It's the best of both worlds as well, it has the beautiful, soft drape of chiffon but the breathable, non-slip feel of jersey.
Understanding something as simple as a fabric choice can change your entire outlook. When I accidentally chose the wrong fabric and was physically uncomfortable, I found it much harder to stay connected to why I was wearing hijab in the first place. I'm still trying out what's best for me, but what has helped me the most is understanding that I don't need to reach perfection. A hijab journey is a journey of intention, not perfection. And that journey will have its ups and downs.
This year in my journey I got to know The Nour Company at a more personal level as my local hijab store in Irvine, California, serving the Orange County community. A. When you go to The Nour Company store or shop on the website you will find many different hijab options to choose from, but most importantly you will also find a place you can ask questions. Nour is all about helping everyone, whether you're a beginner or a veteran, and that's why we consider ourselves a community-driven company. Because whether you're struggling with a specific style or just want to feel the difference between modal and jersey in person, anyone can stop by our Irvine location or contact us on social media.
You don't have to figure it all out alone. We’re here to walk this path with you, one fabric choice at a time. Come say hi, share your story, and let’s find what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Stop by The Nour Company and try different fabrics in person.
May Allah grant us all pure intentions on our journey with the hijab, Ameen.