Khimar

An emblematic symbol of modesty, the khimar is increasingly present in Muslim women's wardrobes . But when you're new to veiling, it's not always easy to know what the term means visually.

And how does it differ from, or benefit from, other legal garments such as the jilbab or hijab? Are there different types of khimar? If so, which one should you choose? After reading these few lines on the subject, the coveted khimar will no longer hold any secrets for you.

What's the difference between a khimar, a hijab and a jilbab?

First of all, etymologically speaking, the term khimar comes from the root "khamara", which means to cover, so here khimar in Arabic means cover. It is the singular form of "khumur" found in the noble word of Allah, Sura An Nour verse 31, in the approximate meaning of the verse: "...and let them fold their khumur over their breasts".

More precisely, khimar refers to a cloak of varying length, often described as a long hijab. It's not very different from a simple hijab. It does, however, go lower, below the chest. It's a one-piece garment, unlike the jilbab, which is made up of a long cape and a skirt or sarouel, as the case may be. Let's take a look at how it's worn.

How is it worn?

Unlike the hijab, the khimar requires no pins to hold it in place. Like its cousin the jilbab, it is tied with two threads behind the nape of the neck.

The bands are carefully designed to be long enough to fit all head shapes. To make sure it stays in place, it has an integrated headband. This makes it easy to keep in place all day long.

Its length may differ from one model and style to another, but in general it will stop well below the bust, easily covering the shape of shoulders and arms. It can go down to below the knee. This makes it easy to wear with a long dress or abaya. And you'll appreciate other advantages too.

What are the advantages of the khimar?

The khimar offers Muslim women many advantages. First and foremost, its lightness makes it really comfortable to wear. It's also incredibly easy to put on.

It's a guaranteed time-saver. And, as we said, the khimar requires no additional accessories. What's more, it comes in a variety of materials. But also in a variety of colors.

So you can mix and match to your heart's content. It 's also a great ally for nursing mothers .

In fact, it's very useful for feeding baby away from prying eyes. Last but not least, it fully complies with the conditions for legal veiling, as long as you wear it with the rest of your outfit.

When to wear it?

We could also have added, among the advantages we mentioned earlier, that it can be worn on any occasion. Firstly, it will make you look elegant for your most important appointment with the Lord Almighty.

You'll be able to pray with peace of mind. And you'll be sure to look your best for the Creator of all mankind. Then, it will assist you with its quick donning, for all your daily tasks to be performed, taking the kids to school, shopping, driving or even visiting your beloved loved ones.

Truly, there's no move you'll be limited in, with the khimars you'll be wearing. All that's left is to indulge yourself in the style you wish to adopt, and of course, always in a legal manner.

What are the different types of khimar?

Indeed, there are many different styles of Khimar. With so many different styles to choose from, and so much beauty, it's not easy to choose. We've decided to mention a few to help you, if need be.

You'll findclassic khimars witha single veil. Rounded or pointed at the front and back, or a mix of the two for those who prefer it. The length of the khimar will depend on the type of wear you're looking for.

You'll also discover the popular Yemenite khimar. It's made up of 2 or 3 veils, giving it an elegant yet sober finish.

In any case, all the models on offer are presented in adapted fabrics. By this we mean opaque, high-quality fabrics. You'll find them in Woolpeach, Niddha and Medina silk, among others.

And when it comes to colors, the choice is, of course, extensive. You'll appreciate the wide range of colors, including classic black, beige and dark blue. But also other colors such as green, plum, powder pink or light brown, you're bound to find one that's just right for you.

So when choosing your khimar, think about the colors of the outfits you're going to wear with it. But we also recommend that youassess your habits to find out which fabric will be the most suitable. Depending on your environment and activities.

A light, breathable fabric if your environment is fairly warm, or if you're more prone to perspiration. And a thicker fabric if you're more chilly or the surrounding climate is much more temperate.

How do I put on a khimar?

While this may seem obvious to some, it's not necessarily so, especially when you're a beginner. And even though it's very easy, we'd like to finish with these few lines to explain how it's done.

Start by taking the khimar inside out, grasping it by the two bands to be tied. Placethe headband on the forehead and tie it with the threads provided. Finally, fold the front over the front of your body. And in no time at all, you're ready to go about your daily business!