It's Going to Be a Thing / Educate Yoself!

I'm so excited about this next it's going to be a thing! I am 100% endorsing/going to wear this once I get my grimy mitts (shoutout guitar hero world tour!) on one.


Turban headbands! And maybe just turbans in general for those very daring people. Turbans have such an interesting history, so I'm going to look into that a little bit for you all. Because I know you're interested. Or I will force you to be.


Generally speaking, a turban is a single piece of cloth that is wrapped around someone's head to serve as a head covering. Humans have practiced this form of habillement since fabric was invented - but we won't get into that subject! That's a WHOLE other post!

Generally turbans are worn in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It seems to me that the reason turbans are more prevalent here is due to environmental elements. Heat, little coverage from the sun, dust, and other harsh environmental challenges all make turbans a practical choice for fending off the specific elements that are common to these areas. Religion is also a large factor in the use of turbans (although I would still argue that even the religious rules regarding turbans stem back to environmental causes - but again, that is a TOTALLY different post altogether). In particular, the Sikh faith requires that men cover their un-cut hair. It's probably a good bet that most of the people who wear turbans in the western world are of the Sikh faith.

Turbans didn't really become popular in the European world until the late 17th century. But at that time they were solely worn by men who would wear them while relaxing in lieu of their wigs. Oh those were the days. Women didn't pick up on this trend until about a century later. In fact, the first recorded use of the English word "turban" for a Western female headdress is in 1776 (thanks Wikipedia).

In the west, Turbans had two particular points of popularity. The first era that saw a rise in the popularity of the turban was that most beloved of eras - Regency! I'm assuming that they were so popular at this time because of exoticism, orientalism - you know how that went. They were generally worn with formal outfits at this point in fashion history. You can bet that if I lived in regency - I SO would have rocked this look. In fact - in the Kiera Knightly 'Pride and Prejudice', in the scene at Bingley's Ball (all white dresses - so glorious) there is one girl wearing a magnificent turban-esque head piece and I always say that she is me and I am her (besides me being Lizzy. Obviously.).



The other time that saw a great popularity in turbans in womens wear was the 1940's and 50's. This time around they seemed to have much more flexibility of use and could be worn casually (cover up those curlers gurl!) or still formally (I'm thinking Joan Crawford - she must have worn one at some point, or just should have, because that image is inexplicably in my head.)


So chic! I just really dig this look and I think it's rarin' for a come back. The milinary art deserves more respect!

And if you doubt that this trend has legs - Exhibit A: My favorite contemporary style icon of all time. Blair Waldorf.


She is one glorious bitch and I will follow her just abouts where ever she leads me.