Wander through any global city and you will see the hijab worn a dozen different ways. Each region has developed its own drape, volume and fabric preference, shaped by climate and culture. Here is a tour of the most distinctive hijab styles by country, and how to recreate them.
Turkish style
The Turkish look is neat and structured, usually built on a square silk or satin scarf folded into a triangle, wrapped smoothly and pinned close under the chin. It sits flat and polished, often with the fabric crossed and tucked so no ends hang loose. A square scarf in a printed silk is the classic base.
Egyptian style
The Egyptian style tends to be fuller and more voluminous, with layered wraps and a raised shape at the crown. It often uses a rectangular scarf draped and pinned for height, giving a soft, rounded silhouette that frames the face generously.
Emirati and Khaliji style
The Emirati and wider Khaliji look is defined by volume at the crown and a loosely draped sheila in neutral, refined tones. It reads elegant and effortless, and we cover it step by step in our Khaliji and Emirati styles guide.
Malaysian and Indonesian style
Southeast Asian styles are famously polished and modest, favouring instant or bawal (square) hijabs, structured shawls, and fabrics like cotton voile and chiffon that hold a crisp shape in humid heat. Coverage over the chest is common, with neat, symmetrical drapes.
Saudi and Gulf abaya style
Across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, the hijab is usually worn with an abaya, often in black, with a simple, understated scarf drape that keeps the focus on the outfit as a whole. Elegance here is about restraint.
Iranian and Syrian styles
Iranian styles often use a looser drape and a rusari (light scarf) worn further back on the head, while Syrian and Levantine styles lean towards soft, wrapped looks in flowing fabrics.
How to try them yourself
You do not need a different wardrobe for each look, just a few versatile pieces. A square scarf unlocks the Turkish style, a fluid chiffon or sheila gives you the Egyptian and Khaliji volume, and a grippy jersey hijab makes the neat Southeast Asian wraps easy. Pick one new style a week and see which suits your face and your day.