Keffiyeh Scarf

[susannah]

This trend hasn't appeared in Australia yet but I have been wearing long cotton scarves worn very similarly for a few years now. I think it is quite easy to acheive the same look for those that are worried about the political ramifications. Think about the possibilites: florals, batiks, houndstooth, paisley...

Today I'm wearing a charcoal and light grey one I bought in Vietnam.

 

[Umm Zain]

I was looking through the models street style and noticed a lot of models that were wearing the kahfiyah, I was wondering if this is a major trend recently. As I live in Palestine, I see them everywhere anyway but thought it was interesting to see so many on the models. Who else here is wearing the scarf?

I love these scarves. I love the way they look wrapped around the neck. I am well aware of the political association as well and since I support the Palestinian cause (AND a peaceful resolution in the region which insha Allah can be achieved one day sooner rather than later), I wear it with no qualms. Should anyone ask... I know the meaning of my fashion statement.

whats a djellabea?

A djellaba is an outer garment that both men and women wear over their "regular" clothes when out in public. As far as I know the word "djellaba" is Moroccan, but the concept is Middle Eastern (ex: the abaya for women). This pic (from http://www.desertstore.com) is a good example of a common djellaba you would see in Morocco and is a woman's version (note the tassel on the hood that the man's version would never have). I have one that is similar, but with beautiful white details embroidered in the fabric. I wear it when visiting Morocco (my husband is Maghrebi), but I never wear it in the US. However it would not surprise me to see them on the streets here in the States one day. There are some BEAUTIFUL djellabas out there and they can look really pretty on if done right.

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

You could most likely buy the kahfiyah (scarves) in almost any Islamic store in the UK that sells scarves and accessories (at least that's the case here in the States). But, you can buy them online too. Here are some links:
http://www.desertstore.com/products-For-Sale/SA-ght-01.html
http://www.islamicboutique.com/proddetail.asp?prod=0208001
This site has a nice variety of colors: http://www.halalco.com/kefiya.html
There are more, but you just have to look around a bit.

XOXOXOXOXO

 

[morgan38]

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 really really doubt too many Jews are going to be hopping on the Kahfiyah bandwagon. Though I don't think you can exactly pinpoint a true meaning of the scarf ( and I realize that many argue it has no political connotations), generally people see it as support for Palestine.
I think it's an attractive scarf, but generally I stray away from wearing clothes that may come off as "culturally insensitive" to certain people...especially if I'm in a professional setting.

 

[Lena]

I think it's an attractive scarf, but generally I stray away from wearing clothes that may come off as "culturally insensitive" to certain people...

thats how i really feel about this myself..

 

[ETROsexualJ]

At Movida in NYC

pic by me

 

[StellaMare]

I saw these at Urban Outfitters and thought of this thread, personally I'm not a fan of this "trend." picture by me.

 

[Diorling]

UO = Kiss of death

 

[Umm Zain]

Kaffiyeh Yisraelit

So for everyone that likes the style, but not the message, I found this article about a Kaffiyeh Yisraelit. I think it's a pretty scarf not to mention that the model's eyes are gorgeous!

http://jewschool.com/?p=11485
http://jewschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/israelikaffiyeh.jpg

 

[lucy92]

i also saw the the scarf at urban outfitters. can anyone give a good explanation on how the scarf is tied? is it simple?

 

[vanilla fairy]

http://jewschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/israelikaffiyeh.jpg
wow. thats smart! the pattern is very well done

 

[masquerade]

So for everyone that likes the style, but not the message, I found this article about a Kaffiyeh Yisraelit. I think it's a pretty scarf not to mention that the model's eyes are gorgeous!

http://jewschool.com/?p=11485
http://jewschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/israelikaffiyeh.jpg

interesting article

still dont think im sold on this design even if it is made for jews. but that is just me

 

[missy-t1]

I had this discussion the other day, it was brought up in a meeting I attended about world politics..
I think it's sad to see people using this scarf as a fashion symbol, when it has become a national 'emblem' for a particular cause, may not have been to start off with but certainly since Arafat (ex-Palestinian president) started wearing it, it has become a pro-Palestinian symbol. This is the black and white scarf.
I think people who wear it, not knowing what it is about, or supportng the cause, is belittling teh cause and those who support it. Retailers and fashion designers or whoever sells these scarves should understand this and stop selling such things. (Black and white scarves)

Although I know they sell it in army stores. But, again they don;t sell it on grounds of fashion.

 

[missy-t1]

I love these scarves. I love the way they look wrapped around the neck. I am well aware of the political association as well and since I support the Palestinian cause (AND a peaceful resolution in the region which insha Allah can be achieved one day sooner rather than later), I wear it with no qualms. Should anyone ask... I know the meaning of my fashion statement.


A djellaba is an outer garment that both men and women wear over their "regular" clothes when out in public. As far as I know the word "djellaba" is Moroccan, but the concept is Middle Eastern (ex: the abaya for women). This pic (from http://www.desertstore.com) is a good example of a common djellaba you would see in Morocco and is a woman's version (note the tassel on the hood that the man's version would never have). I have one that is similar, but with beautiful white details embroidered in the fabric. I wear it when visiting Morocco (my husband is Maghrebi), but I never wear it in the US. However it would not surprise me to see them on the streets here in the States one day. There are some BEAUTIFUL djellabas out there and they can look really pretty on if done right.

Ahh my Somali Muslim friends wear this..!

 

[dsq]

some pictures i found that resemble kahfiyah scarfs but are not. i guess they can be a good alternative for those who want to wear the look but don't want to associate any political stance that come with it. they are from the alexander herchcovitch fw04 show from style.com

 

[_ladybug_]

that can definitely be a good alternative

 

[ponytrot]

I love these scarves. I love the way they look wrapped around the neck. I am well aware of the political association as well and since I support the Palestinian cause (AND a peaceful resolution in the region which insha Allah can be achieved one day sooner rather than later), I wear it with no qualms. Should anyone ask... I know the meaning of my fashion statement.


A djellaba is an outer garment that both men and women wear over their "regular" clothes when out in public. As far as I know the word "djellaba" is Moroccan, but the concept is Middle Eastern (ex: the abaya for women). This pic (from http://www.desertstore.com) is a good example of a common djellaba you would see in Morocco and is a woman's version (note the tassel on the hood that the man's version would never have). I have one that is similar, but with beautiful white details embroidered in the fabric. I wear it when visiting Morocco (my husband is Maghrebi), but I never wear it in the US. However it would not surprise me to see them on the streets here in the States one day. There are some BEAUTIFUL djellabas out there and they can look really pretty on if done right.

You could most likely buy the kahfiyah (scarves) in almost any Islamic store in the UK that sells scarves and accessories (at least that's the case here in the States). But, you can buy them online too. Here are some links:
http://www.desertstore.com/products-For-Sale/SA-ght-01.html
http://www.islamicboutique.com/proddetail.asp?prod=0208001
This site has a nice variety of colors: http://www.halalco.com/kefiya.html
There are more, but you just have to look around a bit.

XOXOXOXOXO

No offence meant at all..but that reminds me abit of the Ku Klux Clan and Abu Grabe...

 

[Umm Zain]

No offence meant at all..but that reminds me abit of the Ku Klux Clan and Abu Grabe...

None taken ! I can see your point, but they don't look that way on and in Morocco, I've seen more colorful than black!

 

[Sylphide]

http://www.thecobrasnake.com/partyphotos/tiktok/IMG_9257.htmlhttp://www.thecobrasnake.com

 

[pavement]

I really really doubt too many Jews are going to be hopping on the Kahfiyah bandwagon.

I have an Israeli bud who is pro-Palestine. Though I should ask what he thinks of the scarf. I doubt he would wear it. But he's used to coming off as an *** to his fellow Israelis.

 

[Tushka_BeLLa]

Could someone maybe buy me one and Fed-Ex it over?!? I really want one