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Niqabs (Face Veils)
For more comprehensive information on the different kinds of niqabs we offer, including how they fit, what the different options mean, and why to choose one style over another, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Click image to enlarge
Georgette Half-Niqab with Elastic
$3.00
These elastic-back georgette niqabs have two layers for coverage but are lightweight and breathable. This fabric drapes easily and resists wrinkles. About 13 1/2” square; elastic stretches comfortably to fit almost anyone. Imported from Kuwait. Hand wash or machine wash gentle recommended.
$3.00
Georgette Half-Niqab with Elastic - Large Band
These elastic-back georgette niqabs are two layers thick for coverage but are lightweight and breathable. This fabric drapes easily and resists wrinkles. These niqabs are made from a single layer of fabric folded over at the top, but not stitched together at the sides, allowing more air flow and making for a lighter and even more breathable niqab with the same coverage as our traditional half-niqabs (above).
The niqab itself is about 13 1/2" square. The total circumfrence, before stretching, is about 26" (the regular sized niqabs, above, have a circumfrence of 19" - 19 1/2"). You can compare the size of this niqab against one that fits you comfortably, to determine your best fit. If you find the elastic to be too large, we can shorten the circumfrence for you for a nominal charge, or you can simply put a knot in the elastic to shorten it to your comfort.
Pebble georgette has a rougher texture than regular georgette. It is equally as breathable as regular georgette, and can be worn with regular georgette scarves.
$10.50
Georgette Scarf and Niqab Sets
Square (44") solid color georgette scarves and half niqabs, but paired in a set guaranteed to color match. (If purchased separately, the scarf and niqab will be the same color but may vary in exact shade of the color.) The texture of the georgette will be regular georgette, unless Pebble georgette is indicated.
Colors available as a set will vary from time to time. If you are interested in a color not listed here, please email us.
Headband Niqab with Two Eyeveils
$8.00
Black georgette tieback niqab with a layer of thin cotton backing against the face. This niqab has two georgette eyeveils, which can be worn over the head or pulled down over the eyes for more privacy. Standard sized; covers upper chest. Breathable and comfortable. The eye opening is on the large side of average, and will accomodate glasses (by my own experience with this niqab).
Handwash, and hang or lay flat to dry. Imported from Saudi Arabia.
About Niqabs
Half niqabs cover from the nose downward, and are held on with elastic or with ties. Half niqabs do not cover the forehead. Because of the way half niqabs fit, they are a good choice for those who wear glasses, those who want an easy way to show the face (just pull it down, and back up again), and those who want a less dramatic niqab style. Half niqabs with elastic are usually worn under the hijab, as the elastic band is not designed to be pretty, though it's possible to also wear it over the hijab. Those with tiebacks can be worn over or under the hijab.
Half niqabs are very popular, and are available in many colors. They are convenient and inexpensive, and easy to care for: they can usually be washed in the washing machine, in a lingerie bag, and hung/laid flat to dry. You could thow them in the dryer also, but the fabric will wear more quickly. These are easy to wear and are recommended for those new to wearing niqab. They do put some pressure on the bridge of the nose, which can be adjusted by changing the length of the elastic used, or by loosening/tightening the tiebacks.
Full, or headband style, niqabs cover from the forehead down. These have an eye opening, which varies in width depending on the manufacturer; some are too narrow to comfortably accomodate glasses, other niqabs have very wide eye openings. Some of these have eye veils, which are extra pieces of fabric that can be worn over the head or used to cover the eyes. These can be tied out of the way under the tieback headband, or left over it. They can also be pinned in place with a single stick pin on the top of the head, which anchors the layers to each other and to your hijab, and allows the veils to drape around your face more gracefully.
Wearing one layer of an eye veil down is like looking out through dark sunglasses: you can see out quite well, but no one can see your eyes. Other headband niqabs have no eyeveils. It is generally recommended to wear full niqabs with eyeveils over your hijab, though those without eyeveils can be worn either over or under your hijab.
Many women find that the headband style niqab is more comfortable, because they do not put pressure on the nose or ears (if it does, it's probably tied more tightly than necessary). However, this style is most frequently found in black, and as such, it tends to have a more dramatic appearance than the smaller half niqab. The full niqab is also called a burqa, particularly in Saudi Arabia (where it has nothing to do with the famous Afghani head-to-toe garment of the same name). They are generally made from georgette, sometimes with a thin cotton layer next to the face, which some women prefer. Some full niqabs from the Middle East are made entirely of cotton gauze; these are the easiest fabric to breathe through, but need to be ironed so that they hang neatly when worn and may need to be starched to not appear limp.