Orthodox Jewish ladies are expected to keep their heads covered post marriage. Spinster ladies can also opt for traditional coverings while praying in or entering a synagogue. The hair covering tradition finds its roots in the Bible where a priest humiliates adulterous women by unbraiding or uncovering her hair. Today we are going to discuss the different jewish hair coverings which have evolved with time and in accordance with the cultural requirements of the society. Read on to know more about the different styles.
· Sheitel is a wig which mimics baby hairs near the hairline. However, modern ladies can be seen pulling out some hair to soften the hairline. Orthodox communities encourage their women to wear artificial looking wigs having short cuts.
· Fall is a partial wig which allows your natural hair to peek behind from your choice of scarf, headband or hat. Younger wearers of YU, Yeshivish and modern orthodox communities simply adore this style.
· Tichel or scarf has transcended the boundaries of culture for becoming a much-loved accessory of women across the globe. However, it holds the highest popularity in Israel. Modern ladies can be seen styling their scarf while showing subtle hairline in the front. Traditional ladies wear them close to the hairline with a volumizer which can create an illusion of gorgeous locks underneath.
· A pre-tied bandana comes with bits of sewn elastic and tails of varying length. This style still holds a lot of popularity amongst the Yeshivish community and the fabric can be either printed or embellished with rhinestones.
· Hats have evolved into a life-saver of Sephardic and modern orthodox community women who do not wish to wear wigs. Here you can choose from a classic fedora to an oversize baseball cap, a casual beret and many more. Women can stay warm during chilly winters by pairing hats with a “hat fall.”
· Snoods were a staple amongst medieval noblewomen and have evolved into a lunch lady accessory of modern times. You can select amongst luxe crochet yarns, chenille and sequined snoods which are mostly worn by ladies of Hasidic and Yeshivish community.
· Beanie is a snow bunny inspired accessory which has become a rage amongst fashion-forward Jewish ladies. It can be worn with a variety of apparel options by choosing amongst the rhinestone-embellished or simple ones. Ladies looking for full coverage often team up the beanies with a fall beneath. This look is portrayed with sass by women of varying communities ranging from Yeshivish to modern.
· The Sheitel and Hat combination can commonly be seen amongst Hasidic ladies belonging to more orthodox communities like Skvere, Viznitz, Belz and Satmar. Sheitels are usually short and straight with high-quality hair bands while the hats resemble pillbox style popularized by Jackie Kennedy. Extra coverage of these Jewish hair coverings is considered to be extra holy and showcases double respect towards the almighty.
· A Shpitzel is often sported by Hasidic ladies along with the traditional turban. Some designs carry a natural flair whereas the others mimic the look of having your hair out without making any sacrifice in terms of coverage.
· Turban is an ultra-exotic variant of Jewish hair coverings which has found its place in the closet of fashionistas ranging from Beyonce to Sarah Jessica Parker. Its cone-shaped variants are preferred by Hasidic ladies as an alternative to sheitel.
Final Words
Women’s head coverings are determined to a great extent by the community beliefs of Jewish ladies. But whatever be your choice, these Jewish hair coverings can enhance your style quotient at every event you attend.
