The keffiyeh, also called "shemagh" (pronounced "schmog"), is the scarf traditionally used in the Middle East to protect against wind and weather. It has also gained popularity among the American and British military, particularly soldiers stationed in the Middle East, as well as in survival disciplines and, in general, for outdoor activities. There are also a couple of ways to wear it as a trendy clothing accessory. If you are not yet familiar with this particular type of garment, in this article you will find useful information on how to wear it in various ways.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Traditional
Step 1. With the keffiyeh fully open, match one corner with the diametrically opposite one, folding it in two to form a triangle
This way of wearing the keffiyeh is particularly effective for protecting the face and head from the wind or sun
Step 2. Cover the forehead with the keffiyeh, placing the folded side between the eyebrows and the hairline
- The keffiyeh must slide backwards on the head, not in front of the face.
- If you have already tied a bandana, you can think of this starting position as if you are preparing to wear a very loose bandana.
- The two ends of the keffiyeh must be at the same distance from the center of the forehead, so the center of the folded side of the keffiyeh must coincide with the center of the forehead.
Step 3. Fold the right side to the left so that it wraps completely under the chin
Push the end on the shoulder towards the back of the head.
Keep the end steady with your left hand as you work with the other end to prevent it from coming loose. The keffiyeh must be worn tightly to be effective
Step 4. Grab the left bent side with your right hand and drag it to the right until it completely covers your face:
unlike the right side, this side of the keffiyeh is wrapped to cover the mouth and nose, not under the chin.
Push this end over the shoulder towards the back of the head as well
Step 5. Tie the two ends behind your head
Tighten well, and if necessary tie a double knot. The knot must be behind the head, roughly in the center, and must be tight enough to hold the keffiyeh in front of the face.
Do not squeeze so tightly that you can no longer breathe well or turn your head, but still enough to keep the keffiyeh well pulled to cover the neck, face and head well
Step 6. Make any necessary adjustments
Adjust the keffiyeh so that it covers the head and lower part of the face well, leaving the eyes uncovered. Once this is done, the keffiyeh is properly worn.
One of the main advantages of this way of wearing the keffiyeh is its versatility. Once worn, you can lower the part that covers the face so that only the head is bandaged, or even lower both parts of the keffiyeh on the neck to form a scarf
Method 2 of 5: Tactical
Step 1. With the keffiyeh fully open, match one corner with the diametrically opposite one, folding it in two to form a triangle
This way of wearing the keffiyeh is effective for protecting the face and head from the wind or sun. It is also particularly useful if you find yourself having to breathe while protecting yourself from sand or dust
Step 2. Cover the forehead with the keffiyeh, placing the folded side between the eyebrows and the hairline
- The keffiyeh must slide backwards on the head, not in front of the face.
- Choose a stitch that is roughly three-quarters of the way down the folded side, with the longest part on the right.
- If you have already tied a bandana, you can think of this starting position as if you are preparing to wear a very loose bandana.
Step 3. Drag the shorter part (the left one) under the chin and push the end up, behind the head
Hold the end steady with your right hand. Do not insert it into the rest of the keffiyeh yet
Step 4. With your free hand, drag the longest part (the one on the right) over your face to cover your nose and mouth
Step 5. Continue wrapping the longer part by dragging it over your head
The edge must remain completely above the head, and the end must be pulled until it roughly matches the opposite end.
The end should always be held steady with the hand on the side of the head while working with the opposite end
Step 6. Tie the two ends with a double knot to hold the keffiyeh in place
Do not squeeze so tightly that you can no longer breathe well or turn your head, but still enough to keep the keffiyeh well pulled to cover your neck, face and head well
Step 7. Make any necessary adjustments
Adjust the keffiyeh so that it covers the head and lower part of the face well, leaving the eyes uncovered. Once this is done, the keffiyeh is properly worn.
The main disadvantage of this method is that the keffiyeh cannot be easily pulled down to form a scarf. However, it is a safer and more effective way to protect yourself from the elements than the traditional method described above
Method 3 of 5: Casual
Step 1. With the keffiyeh fully open, match one corner with the diametrically opposite one, folding it in two to form a triangle
This way of wearing the keffiyeh is not the most effective, and it is not the traditional way: it is more a "casual" way to wear the keffiyeh as a clothing accessory
Step 2. Bring the keffiyeh in front of the lower part of the face, covering the nose and mouth with the folded side
Two corners will remain on the sides from the face, while the third bottom corner will remain between the neck and the upper chest.
Step 3. Drag the two shorter ends over your shoulders and tie them tightly behind your neck
- When wrapping the keffiyeh around your neck, keep the ends raised to keep the fabric snug against your face.
- Tie a single knot behind the neck. The knot should be tight enough to hold the keffiyeh in place, but not tight enough to make it difficult for you to breathe or turn your head.
Step 4. Slide the extremities over the shoulders and front across the chest, freely
There is no need to hide them, or put them in your jacket.
Step 5. Make any necessary adjustments
Gently drag down the top of the keffiyeh covering the nose and mouth, and place it under the chin to cover the neck.
This is the last step in wearing the keffiyeh in this way
Method 4 of 5: Neat
Step 1. With the keffiyeh fully open, match one corner with the diametrically opposite one, folding it in two to form a triangle
This way of wearing the keffiyeh is not the most effective, and it is not the traditional way: it is more of a "casual" way to wear the keffiyeh as a clothing accessory
Step 2. Bring the keffiyeh in front of the lower part of the face, covering the nose and mouth with the folded side
Two corners will remain on the sides of the face, while the third bottom corner will remain in front, between the neck and the upper chest.
Step 3. Bring the two ends over your shoulders and then wrap them around your neck, bringing them back, but without knotting them
Cross them behind the neck and bring them back to the front.
- When wrapping the keffiyeh around your neck, keep the ends raised to keep the fabric snug against your face.
- For this style, do not tie the keffiyeh behind the neck. The two ends only need to cross: while holding them tightly, bring each end over the opposite shoulder (relative to the original position of the same extremity), so that it ends up over the chest. Don't let them go yet.
Step 4. Knot the two ends in front of your chest, continuing to hold them tight
Hide the ends under the lower corner of the keffiyeh.
- Tie a single knot, positioned more or less in the center of the neck.
- The knot should be tight enough to hold the keffiyeh in place, but not tight enough to make it difficult for you to breathe or turn your head.
Step 5. Insert the keffiyeh underneath the jacket by unbuttoning or unzipping the top to fit it inside, and then close the jacket as necessary to give it a cleaner and tidier look
This last step is optional: if you want you can also leave the ends above the jacket, with a more "relaxed" style
Step 6. Make any necessary adjustments
Gently drag down the top of the keffiyeh covering the nose and mouth, and place it under the chin to cover the neck.
This is the last step in wearing the keffiyeh in this way
Method 5 of 5: Wear the Keffiyeh like a Bandana
Step 1. Fold the keffiyeh in half to form a triangle
Step 2. Place it on your face (like a bandana) and hold it still
Step 3. Drag the two ends behind the neck and then back to the front (without knotting)
Step 4. Bring the ends back behind your head and loosely knot them
Make the necessary adjustments to wear it comfortably.
