Silk scarves as headbands: From functional to aesthetic and how the modern chic boho look came to be favored by many. How tradition and culture shaped a fashion staple.
What better way to make a fashion statement than wearing a silk scarf as a headband? Today, this stylish accessory adds a touch of boho chic and luxury to an outfit, but what about its origins? Spanning many centuries and diverse cultures, silk scarves have gone through various incarnations, from the functional to the aesthetic, with a touch of the symbolic to boot. Read on to discover more about this enchanting way to style a silk fashion scarf – and learn all about its cultural legacy!
The origins of wearing silk scarves as headbands
Headwraps, in other words fastening a scarf, often made of silk, around the head, is a tradition that dates back centuries. Its origins can’t be easily pinpointed geographically, as many cultures and civilizations have embraced the use of fabric headbands, whether for symbolic, functional or aesthetic reasons.
* Africa
While there are various styles of head wrap worn today in Africa, it is often seen as a symbol of power and unity. Unsurprisingly, given the vastness of this continent and the diversity within it, scarves as headbands have various connotations and symbolic functions depending on the region. In West Africa, for instance, it was often worn to denote power, status and even religious beliefs. In Zimbabwe, however, it serves a more practical purpose, helping keep hair clear whilst working.
Today, African head scarves often feature bold and vivid colors, symbolizing different things such as joy, fertility, spirituality and celebration.
* Mesopotamia
Scarves were worn as headbands as early as the 13th century in Mesopotamia, a region today known as Iraq. Curiously, they were only allowed to be worn by upper-class women and priestesses, as a symbol of their status and authority. Slave women, meanwhile, were banned from doing so! In this region today, headscarves often serve a religious or even political purpose.
* France
France has a long connection with silk production. Back in 1466, Louis XI, France’s king at the time, established the country’s silk production industry in the city of Lyon. In a true European collaboration, the looms were mostly operated by Italians from Calabria, which enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality silk weavers. Fast forward 100 years and Lyon was synonymous with the silk industry throughout Europe.
Since then, French women have embraced silk scarves in many forms, whether as a simple fashion scarf or a more elaborate headband. Since the start of the 20th century, prestigious French fashion houses such as Hermès have firmly cemented silk scarves for women within the realm of Parisian chic.
* Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek history features many representations of goddesses wearing silk scarves as headbands, while ancient Greek women were thought to wear headbands to symbolize respectability. Like in Mesopotamia, the headscarf was more closely associated with higher-status women. Since silk was available to the Greeks from around the 5th century BCE thanks to well-established trade between Asia and Persia, and countries along the Mediterranean, these scarves were likely made from silk, which would have also offered protection from the heat and sun.
It’s clear that wearing scarves as headbands has a rich and fascinating history, with civilizations from every corner of the globe investing in the possibilities this versatile accessory affords. Perhaps no other garment has so many symbolic, aesthetic, cultural and even political motives behind it – not to mention the practical benefits that transcend time and geography!
What about cultural appropriation?
Many of us might feel self-conscious wearing a headscarf because we worry it might be perceived as an act of cultural appropriation. This concern is unfounded; would we fear in the same way about wearing a scarf around the neck? Probably not. What about wearing a hat? Almost certainly not! Wearing a silk scarf as a headband is a practical way to deal with unruly hair, as well as protecting your scalp from the sun.
We all remember Audrey Hepburn’s iconic styling of the headscarf, which has been revived time and time again, over the decades. Silk scarves have been adopted by people from all walks of life, from various cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles. It’s an accessory that truly transcends cultures and boundaries, making it one of the most versatile fashion accessories.
How to wear silk scarves as headbands
Choosing to wear silk scarves as headbands is a clever trick to elevate any outfit, and add a touch of individuality and self-expression while keeping hair in check on a windy or cold day!
* Basic square wrap
This simple way to wrap a square silk scarf (such as these beautiful Italian silk scarves) achieves an effortless look that adds elegance to any outfit. First, fold the scarf diagonally, into a triangle. Hold the folded edge at the top of your forehead, and have one corner in each hand. Pull them behind your head, underneath your hair to the back of your neck. Tie the ends in a knot and fold the scarf over your hair.
* Square scarf turban-style
This look pairs well with casual attire and protects your hair from the elements, either on a windy day or in summer at the beach. Begin as with the basic square wrap, but this time, instead of placing the folded edge at the front of your face, place it beneath your hairline at the back of your neck.
With one point in each hand, tie a knot at the front of your head. Then, bring the ends back behind your head, and tie another knot. Next, tuck the loose ends into the wrap. Tuck the triangle at the front into the knot and experiment!
* Retro head wrap
Once again, you’ll begin with your square scarf folded neatly into a triangle. As with the first style, place the folded edge just below your hairline along your forehead, draping the rest of the scarf over your hair at the back. Pull the ends beneath your chin and tie a loose knot. This style keeps your hair protected from the elements (or your hairstyle in place).
For a more polished look, you can now take the ends behind your head and tie a further knot at the back of your neck. Paired with oversized sunglasses, this can achieve a look reminiscent of inimitable 1960s glamour!
Silk scarves are unrivaled in their potential to transform an outfit. By taking advantage of their potential as a hair accessory, you can transform your outfit and add elegance with just a few simple ties and knots – while ensuring your hair remains stylishly secured and tangle-free.
It’s not just about that, though. Wearing silk scarves as headbands is also about honoring the symbolisms, histories and different heritages they encompass, thanks to their rich and beautiful past spanning civilizations and cultures across the globe. Enjoy embracing this captivating and versatile garment that has retained its allure since ancient times!
