Monday, August 5, 2013

Fashion History Of The Turban

Fashion History Of The Turban



By Cathy Mercer





In many cultures and religions throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa, some style of turban has been used as the accepted form of head covering for centuries. In many cases, an individual’s social standing or field of employment can be told by the color and design of their headdress. The Western world seems to have adopted this covering as a fashion trend.



In the traditional sense, this headdress is made by winding a long silk, linen or cotton scarf around the head in a particular sequence in order to end up with a very specific look. By modern standards, the name has come to mean any of several coverings that are brimless and close fitting with even a slight resemblance the the original. In fact, many do not even have to be wound as they are purchased already sewn into position.



In the later portion of the 17th century, Western society was first introduced to this covering by the ethnic groups that were moving into the country. The early years of the 20th century saw the rise of silent films in which many stars were sporting these exotic headdresses. Socialites in the 1930’s made the turban their own status symbol of high breeding, expensive education and a knowledge of worldwide fashion.



The head pieces were soon being made of expensive fabrics and covered with lavish and pricey embellishments, making them the height of fashion and glamor. They were exotic and beautiful and gave a woman an air of mystery. Celebrities made them even more popular by wearing them with such elaborate adornments that they appeared to be crowns on the heads of royalty.



This stylish head gear was not exclusively for the rich and famous. The housewives and working class ladies of the 50’s and 60’s started wearing plainer versions in cotton or linen as a way to be fashionable and keep their hair controlled all while carrying on with their daily duties. Terry cloth versions soon replaced the towel as a more attractive and acceptable way to dry one’s hair after swimming or showering.



By the 1970’s, the turban was being worn in the West less as a headdress and more as a new type of hat. Women would purchase them already styled and sewn in place, and allow their long tresses to flow freely from the bottom of the covering. Embellishments became over sized and and bold, as was much of the fashion of that era.



The style lost a bit of its popularity and steam over the next thirty years. During the new millennium, however, there has been a renewed interest in this type of fashion head wear. Women have come up with so many different variations on the base design that the possibilities are virtually endless and have so many practical applications for daily use and for those who suffer from loss of their hair or are taking chemotherapy.



Used for centuries as traditional wear for several religions and cultures around the world, the turban has also become a modern fashion statement for Western societies. There are so many different ways to wrap and twist a scarf and women are realizing that this trend is versatile, practical and beautiful. Now being sold as permanently shaped caps, they are more accessible to an even broader customer base.









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Fashion History Of The Turban



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