How to Wear an Arab Scarf

The keffiyeh, or Arab scarf, is making its way into fashions around the world.

A keffiyeh is a traditional Arabic headdress worn by men. It consists of a square piece of cloth made of cotton and can be either white, black and white checked, or red and white checked. Arab men wear the keffiyeh wrapped around their heads in a variety of ways. However, the keffiyeh has, in recent years, invaded mainstream culture around the globe and can be found anywhere from the sands of Palestine to the runways of Milan.

Things You'll Need

• Keffiyeh

Instructions

1. Identify what type of scarf you have. The Palestinian keffiyeh is a mix of cotton and wool and is either all white or has a checked black and white/red and white pattern. The black and white keffiyeh is symbolic of Palestinian heritage. The red and white keffiyeh is worn throughout Palestine and Somalia. However, the red and white keffiyeh is usually associated with Jordan.

2. Wear your keffiyeh as a traditional headdress. The keffiyeh is traditionally folded into a triangle. The fold is worn across the forehead. It can be held in place by a rope or worn loosely draped about the back and shoulders. It can also be worn wrapped into a turban.

3. Wear it as a fashion statement. In the 1980s, keffiyehs became a popular fashion trend. In the mid 2000s, hipster girls would fold their keffiyehs into a triangle and wear the largest point of the scarf on their chest while wrapping the two other points around their neck.

4. Wear it as a symbol of support of Palestinian solidarity. Westerners often wear the keffiyeh in a variety of ways simply to show support for the Palestinians regarding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish