5 Modern Hijab Tutorials from Wazi Empire

How to Wear a Hijab: 5 Easy Styles for Beginners

By WAZI EMPIRE Last updated: September 2026 chiffon hijab hijab cap hijab pins hijab style hijab styles hijab tutorial how to tie hijab how to wear a hijab how to wear hijab jersey hijab Magnetic Hijab Pins turban hijab

Most hijab tutorials online look impossible. Fifty pins, four layers, folds you cannot follow. You watch one and think: I don't have time for this.

You don't need any of it. The styles below take under two minutes each once you've done them twice, and none needs more than three pins. Start with the first one and work down.

What You Need First

  • A hijab cap. This is the one thing that changes everything. It holds hair back and gives the scarf something to grip instead of sliding on hair. Every modal, jersey and chiffon set at Wazi Empire includes one.
  • A few pins. Magnetic pins are easier on fine fabric than straight pins and won't snag a blazer. Two or three is plenty for any style here.
  • The right fabric. Jersey if you're starting out — it grips and forgives mistakes. Chiffon once you want a dressier finish.

Shop hijab caps · Shop jersey hijabs

Style 1: The Throw-Over (30 Seconds)

Best fabric: jersey or modal
Best for: errands, casual days, school runs

The easiest style there is, and the one most people wear most often.

Step by step

  1. Put on your hijab cap, set close to the hairline.
  2. Place the hijab centred on your head with one side short (about chest length) and one side long.
  3. Leave the chin open — no pin needed here.
  4. Take the long side and drape it loosely over the opposite shoulder.
  5. Let it hang. Jersey has enough surface grip to hold on its own.

If it feels loose: one small magnetic pin at the shoulder will settle the drape.

Throw-over hijab style — jersey hijab draped over one shoulder

Style 2: The Classic Wrap

Best fabric: chiffon or modal
Best for: work, school, events

The standard. Neat, secure, and it holds through a full day.

Step by step

  1. Put on your hijab cap.
  2. Place the hijab centred, one side short and one side long.
  3. Pin under the chin with a magnetic pin.
  4. Take the long side and wrap it around the neck, keeping it flat rather than twisted.
  5. Bring it round to the front and pin at the shoulder, or tuck the end under your top for a cleaner finish.

Styling note: keep a little volume at the crown rather than pulling it flat. A tight wrap across the top of the head emphasises roundness.

Classic hijab wrap style — chiffon hijab pinned under the chin

Style 3: The Turban (Neck Exposed)

Best fabric: jersey
Best for: warm days, high-neck tops, when you want earrings visible

Step by step

  1. Fold or scrunch the hijab into a long strip.
  2. Hold it at the back of the neck with both ends hanging forward.
  3. Bring both ends up to the forehead and cross them over.
  4. Take the ends back around and tie a knot at the nape.
  5. Tuck any loose ends under the wrap.

Note: this style leaves the neck open, so pair it with a turtleneck or high collar.

Turban hijab style — jersey hijab wrapped with the neck exposed

Style 4: The Chest Coverage Drape

Best fabric: chiffon or modal
Best for: prayer, work, anywhere you want fuller coverage

Full coverage without bulk. This is the style most people use as a prayer hijab.

Step by step

  1. Put on your hijab cap.
  2. Place the hijab centred, one side short and one side long.
  3. Pin under the chin.
  4. Instead of wrapping the long side around the neck, let it fall loose across the chest.
  5. Bring it over the opposite shoulder and pin there, leaving the fabric to drape rather than sit flat.

A hijab at 70.9 × 27.6 inches gives full chest-length coverage in a single layer, which is what makes this style work without doubling up.

Chest coverage hijab drape — full chest-length coverage in one layer

Style 5: The Side Pin (Earrings Visible)

Best fabric: chiffon or printed modal
Best for: weddings, events, when the earrings are the point

Step by step

  1. Start with a hijab cap that covers the full hairline.
  2. Place the hijab loosely on the head — don't pull it tight.
  3. Instead of pinning under the chin, pin behind the ear or along the jawline.
  4. The earlobes stay visible while the cap keeps coverage underneath.
  5. Drape the long end over the shoulder.

Side pin hijab style — chiffon hijab pinned at the jawline with earrings visible

Beginner Mistakes Worth Skipping

  • Going without a hijab cap. You can get away with it in jersey. With chiffon or modal, the scarf will slide back within the hour.
  • Using too many pins. If you're reaching for the tenth pin, the problem is the wrap, not the pinning. Two or three should do it.
  • Wearing it creased. A crumpled hijab undoes a good outfit. A handheld steamer fixes it in thirty seconds — see our care guide for how to keep it that way.
  • Pulling it too tight. Tight looks sharp for an hour and gives you a headache by three.

Start Here

Practise in front of a mirror, and start with the throw-over. If a style feels wrong on you after two attempts, it probably isn't your style — there are four others here.

New to this? Start with a jersey hijab — it grips, it forgives, and it comes with a matching hijab cap. Then browse the full collection once you know which styles you reach for.

For which style suits which occasion, see our hijab styles for every occasion guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you wear a hijab for the first time?
Start with a hijab cap and a jersey hijab. Put the cap on close to your hairline, place the hijab centred with one side short and one side long, then drape the long side over the opposite shoulder. That is the whole throw-over style — no pins, about thirty seconds. Once that feels natural, move on to the classic wrap.
Which hijab style is easiest for beginners?
The throw-over in jersey. Jersey has natural surface grip, so it holds where you set it without pins and forgives an uneven fold. An instant hijab is even simpler if you want zero technique — it is pre sewn as one piece and goes on in seconds.
How many pins do I need for a hijab?
Two or three at most for any style. If you are reaching for the tenth pin, the problem is the wrap rather than the pinning. Magnetic hijab pins are gentler on fine fabric than straight pins and will not snag a blazer.
Do I need a hijab cap under my hijab?
With jersey, not necessarily — it grips well enough on its own. With chiffon or modal, yes. Those fabrics are smoother and will slide back within the hour without something underneath to grip. Every modal, jersey and chiffon set at Wazi Empire includes a matching hijab cap.
How do I stop my hijab from slipping?
Three things fix it for most people. Wear a cotton or jersey hijab cap rather than a satin one, keep it slightly loose instead of tight, and wrap the neck area snug rather than loose. Skip slippery hair serum on days you want it to hold.
How do you tie a turban hijab?
Fold the hijab into a long strip and hold it at the back of your neck with both ends hanging forward. Bring the ends up to your forehead, cross them over, take them back around and tie a knot at the nape. Tuck the loose ends under the wrap. Jersey holds this style best.
Which hijab fabric is best for learning?
Jersey. The stretch and grip mean it stays where you put it while you practise, and mistakes are less visible than in a smooth fabric. Chiffon looks sharper once your technique is steady, but it slides more while you are still learning.
How long does it take to style a hijab?
Thirty seconds for a throw-over, about two minutes for a classic wrap once you have done it a few times. The tutorials that take twenty minutes are styling exercises, not everyday wear. If a style takes you longer than two minutes on the third attempt, it is probably not your style.