The Hijab Glossary: Fabrics, Styles & Fashion Terms Explained (2026)

A practical hijab fashion glossary: the fabrics, styling terms, accessories and construction details you see when shopping for hijabs online. From chiffon and modal cotton to drape, GSM, underscarves and hand-rolled edges, this guide explains what each term means and why it matters when choosing a piece.

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Morning Sky – Modal Cotton Hijab

A powder blue modal cotton option for soft, relaxed draping.

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Hijab fabrics

Chiffon

Chiffon is a lightweight woven fabric known for airy drape and a refined finish. It can be made from polyester, silk or nylon. Matte chiffon generally offers more grip than glossy chiffon and is popular for everyday and occasion styling.

JAIDA chiffon is lightweight with a matte finish and generous 200 × 70 cm sizing. Shop luxury chiffon hijabs →

Satin

Satin describes a weave with a smooth, lustrous front surface. It catches light beautifully, which makes it a popular choice for weddings, evening outfits and special occasions. Satin usually has more slip than matte fabrics, so an underscarf or magnets can help secure the style.

Shop JAIDA satin hijabs →

Modal cotton

Modal cotton combines modal fibres with cotton for softness, breathability and structure. It has a matte finish and natural grip, making it one of the easiest fabrics for everyday wear, work and travel.

Shop modal cotton hijabs →

Jersey

Jersey is a stretchy knit fabric, often made from cotton, viscose or synthetic blends. It is flexible, easy to wrap and naturally grippy, although it can feel heavier than chiffon.

Georgette

Georgette is a lightly textured woven fabric with more body than very fine chiffon. Its subtle texture can help it hold shape while retaining a soft drape.

Crepe

Crepe refers to fabric with a lightly crinkled or textured surface. It tends to resist wrinkles and can create more structured styling.

Styles and shapes

Hijab

Hijab commonly refers to a headscarf worn by many women as part of modest dress. In fashion retail, the term is also used for the scarf itself and its different fabric, colour, print and styling variations.

Shayla

Shayla is a long rectangular scarf style common across the Gulf region. Its length makes it suitable for loose draping and layered wraps.

Turban-style wrap

A turban-style wrap brings the scarf around the crown rather than creating a long front drape. It is a styling method rather than a separate fabric type.

Dupatta

A dupatta is a long scarf traditionally worn with South Asian clothing. Depending on fabric and size, it can also be styled as a headscarf.

Accessories and essentials

Underscarf / undercap

An underscarf, also called an undercap, is a lightweight base worn beneath a hijab. It helps contain hair, creates grip and can add coverage. Different shapes include tube styles, tie-back styles and full-neck designs. Shop JAIDA underscarves →

Hijab magnets

Hijab magnets are two magnetic pieces used to secure fabric without piercing it. They are useful with delicate chiffon and satin and can replace traditional pins in many styles. Shop JAIDA Hijab Magnets →

Hijab pins and clips

Hijab pins secure layers by piercing the fabric, while clips fasten or decorate without the same pinning method. Turkish-style clips are often used as a decorative finishing detail. Shop Turkish Hijab Clips →

Design and cultural influences

Keffiyeh-inspired geometry

The keffiyeh is a traditional woven scarf associated with the Levant and especially Palestinian cultural identity. Its recognizable black-and-white geometry appears in textile and fashion design. JAIDA's Jabalia Veil adapts that geometry into chiffon.

Tatreez

Tatreez is traditional Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery. Floral and geometric motifs vary by region and family, and the decorative language continues to influence contemporary textile design.

Andalusian design

Andalusian design is known for intricate geometry, botanical motifs, tilework and architectural detail associated with historic southern Spain. JAIDA's Heritage Edit uses these visual references in original fashion prints.

Mughal decorative art

Mughal decorative art is known for detailed botanical motifs, garden imagery, architectural ornament and richly patterned textiles. These references can be reinterpreted in modern printed accessories.

Construction and quality terms

Hand-rolled edges

Hand-rolled edges are finished borders where the raw fabric edge is folded into a small rolled hem and stitched. A neat edge helps prevent fraying and gives a scarf a refined finish.

Non-slip

Non-slip describes fabric with enough surface texture or grip to reduce movement while worn. Matte fabrics usually grip more naturally than very smooth, glossy fabrics.

Opaque

Opaque means non-see-through. Some fabrics are opaque in a single layer, while lightweight chiffon may need layering or an underscarf for fuller coverage.

Drape

Drape describes how fabric falls and folds. Chiffon tends to create light flowing folds, modal cotton has a softer structured drape, and satin creates smoother, more luminous movement.

GSM

GSM means grams per square metre, a measure of fabric weight. Lower GSM generally indicates a lighter fabric, while higher GSM usually feels more substantial.

Hijab sizing

Rectangular hijabs come in many dimensions. JAIDA's standard chiffon, satin and modal cotton size is 200 × 70 cm, giving enough length for multiple wraps and generous draping. Read the complete hijab size guide →

About JAIDA

JAIDA is a Canadian online apparel and accessories retailer based in Oakville, Ontario. We design and sell physical fashion products including chiffon, satin and modal cotton hijabs, underscarves, magnets and styling accessories. Shop JAIDA Best Sellers →