How do I wear hijab in cold weather?
Wear hijab in cold weather by layering: a warm underscarf, a wool or fleece-lined scarf on top, and a hat, hood or snood over it if needed. Hijab actually gives you an advantage in winter, since your head, ears and neck are already covered.
Build warm layers
- Underscarf: switch to a thicker jersey or ribbed cotton cap, or a thermal one.
- Main scarf: wool, cashmere blends, viscose-wool or thick jersey. Fleece-lined scarves are great for icy wind.
- Neck: a ninja-style underscarf that covers the neck stops cold air sneaking in under the scarf.
Warm wool is one of the blessings the Quran mentions, so there's nothing "less Islamic" about a chunky winter scarf.
Hats, beanies and hoods
You can wear a beanie, beret, bobble hat or hood over your hijab for extra warmth. Some sisters wear a beanie over an underscarf with a snood around the neck. That's fine as long as the hair, neck and ears stay covered and the chest is covered by the scarf or your coat. A hat on its own isn't a full hijab, though. See Is a hat or beanie enough as a hijab?
A turban-style wrap with a turtleneck or snood is another warm combination. See Can I wear a turban-style hijab?
Practical winter tips
- Static: wool and synthetics can cling and crackle. A cotton underscarf reduces static.
- Coat collars: tuck the scarf ends inside your coat to keep them out of the wind.
- Indoors: heated offices and trains can feel too hot in thick wool. A medium scarf plus a removable snood or hat lets you adjust.
- Rain and snow: a waterproof hood over the hijab keeps it dry and stops it slipping.
Wudu in winter
Taking off layers to make wudu in a cold place is a real struggle. Some scholars (especially in the Hanbali school) allow wiping over a wrapped head covering, while others require wiping part of the hair. See Can I wipe over my hijab in wudu? Wearing leather socks or khuffs also means you can wipe over your feet instead of washing them.
- Layer a warm underscarf, a wool scarf and a snood or hat.
- Hats and hoods over hijab are fine if everything required stays covered.
- Cotton underscarves cut down static from wool.
- Plan wudu around your winter layers.
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