As a toddler, I used to mix them up.
Balaclava. Baklava. Same word, surely. One was sweet and flaky, the other itchy and unavoidable. I wasn’t entirely wrong to be confused.
Years later, the balaclava has returned. Today, it’s worn by trendy modest bloggers in winter and embraced by hijabi women as a practical option for cold weather. The very thing our mums pulled over our heads to keep small ears warm and cold air out is now styled, photographed, and sold as a must-have. It appears in Vogue, in shop windows, worn by our favourite influencers.
When childhood practicality turns into a winter fashion trend: the balaclava
The balaclava was never meant to be stylish. It was designed for warmth, wind, and real weather. Which makes its return through high street brands like H&M and Zara amusing and surprisingly useful.
This time, fashion’s return to function feels surprisingly well suited to everyday winter life.
The balaclava I am wearing here is from H&M, chosen as an accessible option for hijabi women looking for practical winter hijab solutions. Its soft knit and subtle crystal details gives an edge to my modest outfits while providing warmth in cold, windy weather.
Why the balaclava works as hijab in winter
For hijabi women, wearing a balaclava isn’t a novelty. It’s familiar. It solves problems scarves sometimes can’t in cold, windy cities.
Worn thoughtfully, the balaclava as hijab offers warmth, coverage, and ease, especially during long days outdoors in winter. The key is to treat it as an outer layer, not a replacement.
If you’re outside for extended periods, wearing a matching undercap underneath keeps everything secure and intentional. Warmth, without compromise.
If your day moves between indoors and outdoors, a more practical approach is to wear your scarf underneath, wrapped in a Moroccan style. When you step inside and remove the balaclava, your hijab remains intact. No mirrors. No readjusting. No awkward moments.
If you enjoy thoughtful takes on modest dressing beyond trends, you may also like exploring other pieces from Deenista’s modest fashion archive.
A modest winter trend that actually makes sense
Not every fashion trend belongs in modest wardrobes. But this one feels aligned. It’s seasonal, understated, and rooted in comfort rather than display.
In neutral tones like black, cream, and charcoal, the balaclava blends naturally into winter coats and scarves. It doesn’t compete with hijab. It supports it.
Somewhere along the way, fashion rediscovered what our mothers already knew.
