Keffiyeh Scarf

[lick1987]

^ where exactly can i buy them in the uk? i really want one...they look so good! topshop??

I'll probably read up on what it stands for just so I know what message it conveys. But I'd still wear it for non-political reasons.

 

[missy-t1]

Shemagh/keffiyah/arab tartan scarf

Hellooo there, havnt posted here for a loong time and jee things have changed around here quite a bit!

Well back on topic, I find this trend quite interesting.
For those of you who dont know what this is
this is what it looks like:
http://www.simplyislam.com/images/dbase/50644.jpg

And I found this blog which I thought is quite interesting:
http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2006/07/whodathunkit.html

So do you wear one? And how do you tie it? What do you think of it? Only for the brave..?

I quite like em, but its real common now :S

 

[lemeray]

^ I think they're is a thread on this already but it's under something else...can't remember. I don't like this trend, looks like a cloth around your neck.

 

[Whitelinen]

^ where exactly can i buy them in the uk? i really want one...they look so good! topshop??

I'll probably read up on what it stands for just so I know what message it conveys. But I'd still wear it for non-political reasons.

But isn't there a problem that other people might think you are wearing it for the political reasons?

 

[ETROsexualJ]

So that is what this scarf is called.
I have a pic ofa guy with one on my blog.
http://theboyabouttown.blogspot.com/2006/11/stylist-fisch-for-fab-111306.html

I've been seeing more and more around. Like at least 2-4 every day. I should do a whole photo series on them.

 

[emi25]

But isn't there a problem that other people might think you are wearing it for the political reasons?

It is! It happened to me the other day... Some people said behind my back "...and look at that girl, she wears it without knowing what it means/ stand for..." And I got kind of upset cos I do know what it means and I told him he is more ignorant than he thinks I am...

Just because I didnt put on all my house-occupant-outfit but I wore it with high heels...

Whatever..even if people thinks you have it for political reasons...so what? No?

 

[pinksatin]

It is! It happened to me the other day... Some people said behind my back "...and look at that girl, she wears it without knowing what it means/ stand for..." And I got kind of upset cos I do know what it means and I told him he is more ignorant than he thinks I am...

Just because I didnt put on all my house-occupant-outfit but I wore it with high heels...

Whatever..even if people thinks you have it for political reasons...so what? No?

I agree^^^. I do care about how I look but I try not to care what other people think. If we all worried about that so much we'd all be walking around in white tshirts and jeans. Fashion is expressive and sometimes risky. People don't always get it. It's not my problem.

 

[missy-t1]

This trend cracks me up….my dad has had a kahfiyah for as long as I can remember …I'm just waiting for the djellabea to take the trendsters by storm!! Could you imagine???

whats a djellabea?

AND, has anyone got any pics (celebs/models/yourselves) of people wearing these scarves?
I want to wear this scarf for both reasons 1) fashion and if it is a political reason 2) palestine

But like I said, its become too fashionable.

 

[missy-t1]

sorry MODS: I know you dont want this ton turn "political",but i must say,
Haha this is the most ridiculous thing ive ever heard,
first of all: where did you get ur info from?
THIS (koufiyyah) is a traditional dress that goes waay back- with NO political associations. The red and white is worn all over the middle east-including saudi, the white is also worn all over- its just a diff fabric- black/white is more worn in the north part of the middle east, NEVER heard of green, and for SURE it has NOTHING to do with "islamism"-, socialism or any militant groups. ITS JUST A TRADITIONAL ARABIC HEAD DRESS. JUST LIKE SCOTTISH KILTS. Case closed.

well:
from the don that is wikipedia
The keffiyeh is almost always of white cotton cloth, but many have a checkered pattern in red or black stitched into them. The plain, white keffiyeh is most popular in the Gulf states, almost excluding any other style in Kuwait and Bahrain. The black-and-white keffiyeh is most popular in the Levant. The red-and-white keffiyeh is worn throughout these regions, but is most strongly associated with Jordan.

....

In the 1930s, the keffiyeh became a symbol of Palestiniannationalism, as a result of its association with rural areas (as opposed to the city-dweller's fez). It was adopted by many of the Palestinians who supported Grand MuftiAmin al-Husayni during the Great Uprising. The British attempted to ban it in Jenin, and at one point, a British army chief went so far as to propose jailing any Palestinian who wore it, but he was overruled by his superiors. It would later become a trademark symbol of Yasser Arafat, who was rarely seen without a keffiyeh. Arafat would wear the keffiyeh in the traditional manner, around the head and wrapped by an agal, but he also wore in the neckline of his military fatigues.
Another Palestinian figure who is associated with the keffiyeh is Leila Khaled, a female member of the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Several photographs of Khaled circulated in the Western newspapers after the hijacking of TWA Flight 840 and the Dawson's Field hijackings. These often included Khaled wearing a keffiyeh in the style of a Muslim woman's hijab, wrapped around the head and shoulders. This was unusual, as the keffiyeh is associated with Arab masculinity, and many believe this to be something of a fashion statement by Khaled, denoting her equality with men in the Palestinian armed struggle.
Since the outbreak of the First Intifada and the emergence of Hamas as a rival to the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Palestinian Territories, the colors of the stitching in a keffiyeh are now associated with Palestinians' political sympathies. The iconic black-and-white 'Palestinian' keffiyeh is associated with the PLO and Fateh. Green, as the colour associated with Islamism, is also associated with Islamic Jihad. Red, often associated with socialism, also has a pan-Arabist association in the Arab world. It is often worn by militants of the PFLP, PFLP-GC, and DFLP. Red is also the color often worn by civilian supporters of Hamas, though militants generally wear ski masks.

 

[Lena]

Fashion is expressive and sometimes risky. People don't always get it. It's not my problem.

that's my girl, well earned karma for our stylish pinksatin

 

[pinksatin]

So I've read a little of what it symbolizes. And I get that it's sometimes seen as support for Palestinians. But that it's also been worn for ages with no political connotations. I am curious though, would you wear this if you were Jewish? I am and I was wondering if it isn't the exact opposite of supporting Israel, is it not?

I would like to wear it b/c i think it's pretty and where I live the streets aren't saturated with them and I like to find new and different things to wear, but I asked my mom if she knew where to get one and she said she "didn't think that's something you'd want to wear if you're Jewish".

Could I maybe portray it like a symbol of peace? Like "yes, I support Israel and I'm Jewish but I know Palestinians are people too and violence is overrated"?

any thoughts? TIA

 

[ApertureRomance]

I like that idea !

I like them personally I wouldn't wear one because in my mind it's hard to separate the political views that it connotes from the basic premise of fashion , I sometimes find them a little hypocritical like wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt made by a 6 year old South American boy.

There is a label that have taken it's popularity and put the print on a hoodie but I can't remember who makes it but it looks really good.

 

[masquerade]

So I've read a little of what it symbolizes. And I get that it's sometimes seen as support for Palestinians. But that it's also been worn for ages with no political connotations. I am curious though, would you wear this if you were Jewish? I am and I was wondering if it isn't the exact opposite of supporting Israel, is it not?

I would like to wear it b/c i think it's pretty and where I live the streets aren't saturated with them and I like to find new and different things to wear, but I asked my mom if she knew where to get one and she said she "didn't think that's something you'd want to wear if you're Jewish".

Could I maybe portray it like a symbol of peace? Like "yes, I support Israel and I'm Jewish but I know Palestinians are people too and violence is overrated"?

any thoughts? TIA

I know I would never wear something like this due to my religious and political convictions. I think there are enough similar looking scarves out there, taht if you like the look, you dont have to support something you disagree with per say (houndstooth or whatever).

If you want to support that point of peace in the middle east, i think its a nice idea.

but that seems to always be the case w/ fashion. every few seasons, big crosses become popular again, but I would never wear it because I'm jewish, you know.

 

[pinksatin]

I know I would never wear something like this due to my religious and political convictions. I think there are enough similar looking scarves out there, taht if you like the look, you dont have to support something you disagree with per say (houndstooth or whatever).

If you want to support that point of peace in the middle east, i think its a nice idea.

but that seems to always be the case w/ fashion. every few seasons, big crosses become popular again, but I would never wear it because I'm jewish, you know.

true. I think I would be stretching it just b/c I think its' cute and it's not worth offending people like maybe my family or Israelis I know. I am the same way about crosses. I love charm chain necklaces but I always have to make sure I don't accidentally buy one with a cross. Same with rosaries. I think they are so so pretty but I can't wear it b/c it's a symbol of somebody else's religion and I don't want to be misusing it. I do have other necklaces with the Hamsa and star of david though so I guess it balances out. There are other scarves and necklaces in the sea!

 

[ponytrot]

i think it's easier for me because of my pro-palestine views. I believe in what the Keffiyeh scarf means and so if anyone ever got insulted at the scarf i'd just explain that it is an expression of my views-which i'm entitled to.

-actually thats never happened so...

i don't know about religious symbols- i just find it abit odd appropriating symbols that mean something to that particular faith (i.e. krishna/star of david/even a cross..) if i don't actually have those beliefs. I almost think its worse if i'm wearing a cross and say a star of david at the same time because then it devalues and renders meaningless both symbols.

I guess the difference is that the Keffiyeh scarf is more a political statement as opposed to actual symbols of faith/worship. I think that we get into dangerous territory when to wear religous smbols without considering what it means to other people. Wearing a statement piece like that "because it's cute" seems abit too flippiant and unthoughtful for me.

 

[vanilla fairy]

So I've read a little of what it symbolizes. And I get that it's sometimes seen as support for Palestinians. But that it's also been worn for ages with no political connotations. I am curious though, would you wear this if you were Jewish? I am and I was wondering if it isn't the exact opposite of supporting Israel, is it not?

I would like to wear it b/c i think it's pretty and where I live the streets aren't saturated with them and I like to find new and different things to wear, but I asked my mom if she knew where to get one and she said she "didn't think that's something you'd want to wear if you're Jewish".

Could I maybe portray it like a symbol of peace? Like "yes, I support Israel and I'm Jewish but I know Palestinians are people too and violence is overrated"?

any thoughts? TIA

now thats a nice idea!


u guys, the kahfiyah\ shemagh or whatever u wanna call it doesn't by anymeans sympolize Palestine or any religeon per say, it's just a mid-eastern inspired fashion.. i know the arab jews in Yemen and Palestine\Isarel and Iraq still wear it, so i don't think it's religeon related as much as it's a cultural thing, just like cowboy hats and the japanese kimono

p.s. if u like this trend, wear it and show us
i really like red one with mono colored outfits, it gives a nice tocuh

 

[fezbatik]

It's been touch and go, wearing it in and around Toronto.
I haven't seen too many around.
I am educated on the message I may appear to be sending. That's all I can do. I think it is a really nice looking scarf, period.

Fact is - fashion is only a political statement if you make it one.
And i don't.

I disagree with PinkSatin though to a degree.
If someone takes issue with my fashion choice, I do welcome friendly discourse to discuss their feelings and such as I realize i may seem offensive.
That is my problem.

All you can do is educate people.

Then march on wearing your choices in peace.

 

[fash ho']

interesting discussion.

it really illustrates the layers of meaning in certain items of clothing and how you wear them. i have a t-shirt with an arabic symbol for 'peace' on the front which usually garners an interesting conversation. also my boyfriend sometimes wears a t-shirt that says "black is beautiful" from the Harlem museum in new york - totally non-politically but it always draws some attention (not always positive).

^^^^^^^^^digression

i don't know what i prefer - that someone wears it because its 'cute' or because they want to make some half-baked signal that they are 'political' and therefore trendy. neither is right or wrong, but i do think that they are just so ubiquitous here - kind of like those awful fake mcqueen skull scarves. my tendency would be to archive it until its fashion moment is over (whether you wear it as fashion or political statement)

 

[James1057]

i really like them...ive seen alot of people recently wearing them. Does anyone know where i can purchase one in the UK?

 

[CelineChic]

well:
from the don that is wikipedia
The keffiyeh is almost always of white cotton cloth, but many have a checkered pattern in red or black stitched into them. The plain, white keffiyeh is most popular in the Gulf states, almost excluding any other style in Kuwait and Bahrain. The black-and-white keffiyeh is most popular in the Levant. The red-and-white keffiyeh is worn throughout these regions, but is most strongly associated with Jordan.

....

In the 1930s, the keffiyeh became a symbol of Palestiniannationalism, as a result of its association with rural areas (as opposed to the city-dweller's fez). It was adopted by many of the Palestinians who supported Grand MuftiAmin al-Husayni during the Great Uprising. The British attempted to ban it in Jenin, and at one point, a British army chief went so far as to propose jailing any Palestinian who wore it, but he was overruled by his superiors. It would later become a trademark symbol of Yasser Arafat, who was rarely seen without a keffiyeh. Arafat would wear the keffiyeh in the traditional manner, around the head and wrapped by an agal, but he also wore in the neckline of his military fatigues.
Another Palestinian figure who is associated with the keffiyeh is Leila Khaled, a female member of the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Several photographs of Khaled circulated in the Western newspapers after the hijacking of TWA Flight 840 and the Dawson's Field hijackings. These often included Khaled wearing a keffiyeh in the style of a Muslim woman's hijab, wrapped around the head and shoulders. This was unusual, as the keffiyeh is associated with Arab masculinity, and many believe this to be something of a fashion statement by Khaled, denoting her equality with men in the Palestinian armed struggle.
Since the outbreak of the First Intifada and the emergence of Hamas as a rival to the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Palestinian Territories, the colors of the stitching in a keffiyeh are now associated with Palestinians' political sympathies. The iconic black-and-white 'Palestinian' keffiyeh is associated with the PLO and Fateh. Green, as the colour associated with Islamism, is also associated with Islamic Jihad. Red, often associated with socialism, also has a pan-Arabist association in the Arab world. It is often worn by militants of the PFLP, PFLP-GC, and DFLP. Red is also the color often worn by civilian supporters of Hamas, though militants generally wear ski masks.

Wikipedia is a bit off sometimes. I'm Saudi and I do notice more men wearing the all white keffiyeh with an agal. But the color really has nothing to do with the geographic location in the middle east. I occasionally see the red-checked ones too.

My grandpa wears the white one because he thinks it keeps his head cool in the sun.