By Miraal Abayas Team  |  8 September 2026  |  7 min read

Types of Hijab With Pictures & Chart: Complete Visual Reference Guide

Walk into any dupatta market in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi and you will find more hijab styles than most women can name. Each one drapes differently, covers differently, and suits a different setting. For women moving beyond their usual style, understanding the different types of hijab with pictures to compare makes the whole process easier than guessing from descriptions alone.

Many women want to know:

• What is the difference between a shayla, a khimar, and a classic hijab?
• Which style is easiest for beginners?
• Which fabric works best in Pakistan's heat?
• Which types suit formal occasions versus daily wear?

Quick Answer: The main types of hijab with pictures include the classic rectangle wrap, shayla, al-amira two-piece, khimar, Turkish wrap style, and niqab. Each has different coverage, pinning requirements, and occasion suitability from daily university wear to formal events.

Why Knowing Your Hijab Type Matters

Buying the wrong style is a very common mistake. A flowing shayla that looks beautiful at a wedding becomes impractical on a busy university day. An al-amira perfect for school feels too casual at a formal dinner. Once you understand each type, its structure, coverage level, and best fabric, choosing becomes clear instead of guesswork.

Fabric matters just as much as style in Pakistan's climate. Research on woven fabric breathability consistently shows that natural and semi-natural fibers such as cotton, viscose, and modal allow far more moisture evaporation than tightly woven synthetic blends. In Islamabad's summer heat, the right fabric keeps a hijab comfortable for eight hours straight. The wrong one does not.

For a broader overview of hijab styles by region and occasion, see the Complete Hijab Guide: Styles, Types & Variations by Region & Occasion.

Types of Hijab With Pictures: Visual Breakdown

1. Classic Rectangle or Square Hijab

The most widely worn hijab in Pakistan. A single large piece of fabric, rectangular (typically 170cm x 75cm) or square, draped over the head and pinned or tucked under the chin. Chiffon and georgette lead the market, though cotton is preferred for daily wear. This style allows the widest range of draping from a simple one-pin wrap to a layered chest-coverage look.

• Best for: University, office, daily errands
• Best fabric: Cotton or jersey for summer; chiffon for formal
• Coverage: Head and neck; chest coverage adjustable

2. Shayla

A long narrow rectangular scarf, typically 170 to 200cm in length and 50 to 60cm wide, that wraps around the head and drapes over one or both shoulders without chest pinning. Originally a Gulf style, it has become popular in urban Pakistan for women who prefer a clean flowing look. Works best in lighter fabrics where the material can fall naturally.

• Best for: Formal events, weddings, dawat
• Best fabric: Silk-blend, modal, or light chiffon
• Coverage: Head and neck; shoulder coverage varies by length

3. Al-Amira (Two-Piece Hijab)

A fitted cap covers the hair completely, and a tube-shaped scarf sits over it. No pinning required at all. This makes the al-amira the fastest hijab to wear and the most secure throughout the day. It does not slip or need adjustment during school, sports, or long commutes. Jersey and interlock knit are the standard fabrics and wash well repeatedly.

• Best for: School, sports, travel, everyday use
• Best fabric: Jersey or interlock knit
• Coverage: Full head and neck with no gaps

Browse Miraal's Hijab & Scarves collection for easy-wear styles suited to daily use.

4. Khimar

A cape-like piece that fits over the head and falls to the waist or below, covering the head, neck, chest, and shoulders in one piece with no pinning. It sits over a shalwar kameez or abaya and gives one of the most straightforward full-coverage options available. Nida and crepe versions handle Pakistan's summer heat far better than heavier woven fabrics.

• Best for: Full coverage daily wear, outdoor, religious settings
• Best fabric: Nida, crepe, or cotton
• Coverage: Head, neck, chest, and shoulders in one piece

5. Turkish Wrap Style

A longer scarf layered over an under-cap with structured pleats or folds that create a fuller, more polished look than a simple drape. This style became popular in Pakistan through Turkish drama fanbases and is now a mainstream formal choice for nikah ceremonies, dawats, and family events. It takes practice but the result is noticeably more put-together than a basic wrap.

• Best for: Nikah, dawat, formal family events, Eid
• Best fabric: Chiffon, crepe, or silk-blend
• Coverage: Full head and neck; chest coverage adjustable

6. Niqab & Face Veil Styles

The niqab covers the face below the eyes and is always worn alongside a hijab or khimar. It comes in tie-back, flip-up, and full-face styles. In Pakistan, use is concentrated most in KPK and parts of Punjab but present across all urban centers. For daily summer wear, a lightweight nida or jersey niqab stays comfortable far longer than any heavy woven version.

• Best for: Full face coverage daily wear, outdoor, religious practice
• Best fabric: Lightweight nida or jersey
• Coverage: Full face below the eyes, worn with hijab or khimar

Hijab Types Chart: Quick Reference

Use this hijab types chart to compare all six styles at a glance, including coverage, ease of wear, best occasion, and fabric.

If you want to understand how hijab styles differ between Pakistani and Indonesian women, the related post on Pakistani and Indonesian hijab styles by country covers regional preferences in detail.

Which Hijab Style Suits Which Occasion

Daily and University: The classic rectangle in cotton or jersey is the most suited. The al-amira is even faster on high-activity days when adjusting fabric is not an option.

Office: A clean rectangle hijab in chiffon or georgette in a neutral tone works consistently. The Turkish wrap also suits office wear when kept structured and in muted colors.

Nikah and Dawat: The Turkish wrap or shayla in chiffon or silk-blend creates the most polished formal look. These pair naturally with embroidered abayas. See Miraal's Abaya & Kaftan collection for pieces that work with formal hijab styles.

Miraal Tip: Keep two hijab styles on hand rather than relying on one. A plain cotton or jersey piece for everyday wear and a chiffon or silk-blend for formal occasions covers 90% of situations without buying something specific at the last minute.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Hijab Style

Choosing style before fabric: A beautifully draped shayla in polyester becomes uncomfortable within two hours on a warm Islamabad day. Always confirm fabric before draping style. Fabric determines all-day comfort, style is secondary.

Buying too many of the same type: Most women end up with six rectangle hijabs and nothing else. Adding a khimar or al-amira covers situations the rectangle cannot. Full outdoor coverage, quick morning wear, or prayer use need a different style.

Using formal styles for daily wear: The Turkish wrap and shayla are occasion styles. Wearing them daily means they lose shape from frequent washing or require too much effort every morning. Reserve them for when they make a difference.

Miraal Tip: Instead of buying four budget hijabs that thin out and fade after three washes, invest in two quality pieces. A good chiffon hijab holds its color and weight through a full year of regular wear. The per-use cost is far lower than cheap alternatives replaced every few months.

Why Choose Miraal for Hijab & Modest Wear

Pakistan-Tested Fabrics, Pakistani Sizing

Miraal sources hijabs and scarves in chiffon, georgette, jersey, and crepe, each checked for color fastness and finishing before reaching the shelf. The dimensions are adjusted for Pakistani proportions and occasion requirements.

Visit or Shop Online

The full range is available at Shop #18, 2nd Floor, Opp. Funcity Exit Gate, Giga Mall, Islamabad and online at miraalabayas.com. Browse the Hijab & Scarves collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of hijab with pictures to compare?

The most searched types of hijab with pictures include the classic rectangle wrap, shayla, al-amira two-piece, khimar, Turkish wrap, and niqab. Most Pakistani retailers stock the rectangle and al-amira as standard, with shaylas and khimars in dedicated modest wear stores. The hijab types chart in this guide covers all six with coverage, ease, and fabric differences side by side.

Which hijab type is easiest for beginners?

The al-amira two-piece is the easiest start. No pinning, no slipping, and no adjusting. The classic rectangle is the natural next step once the al-amira feels comfortable. The Turkish wrap is among the most complex and works better after building some practice with simpler styles. Do not start with the Turkish wrap as your first hijab.

What is the difference between a khimar and a classic hijab?

A classic hijab is a single scarf draped and pinned around the head, with coverage changing based on how you wear it. A khimar is a cape-like piece covering the head, neck, chest, and shoulders in one structured slip-on piece without pinning. The khimar gives automatic full coverage with less effort each morning. The classic hijab offers more styling options but requires pinning to stay secure throughout the day.

Which hijab fabric works best in Pakistan's summer?

Cotton and modal are the most breathable options for summer, allowing the most airflow and pulling moisture away from the skin. Chiffon is lightweight but less breathable than cotton. Avoid polyester and tightly woven synthetics from April through September. For outdoor daily wear in Pakistan's warm months, a cotton or jersey hijab will outlast a chiffon one in comfort even if it looks slightly less formal.

How should hijabs be stored to prevent wrinkling?

Chiffon and georgette store best flat or loosely folded, not tightly rolled or hung. Hanging stretches lighter fabrics over time. Tight rolling creates permanent fold lines. Cotton and jersey are more forgiving and can be folded into a drawer. For formal silk-blend pieces in storage, place a sheet of tissue paper between each fold to prevent fabric transfer and deep creasing.

Choosing the Right Hijab Starts With Knowing the Options

Understanding the different types of hijab, from the everyday classic rectangle to the full-coverage khimar and the formal Turkish wrap, means you can choose based on your actual routine rather than buying whatever is in front of you. The right style paired with the right fabric for Pakistan's climate makes a measurable difference in comfort and confidence from morning to evening.

Ready to find your style? Browse Miraal's Hijab & Scarves collection Pakistan-tested fabric, sized for Pakistani women.