By Cathy Mercer
The turban is a type of head covering. While it is usually associated with men from Asian countries like India and with certain religions such as Sikhism, women can wear it too. If you know how to tie a turban, you can instantly lift any outfit from ordinary to fabulous.
Women have often worn the item too to add a little exotic glamour to their outfit. For instance, part of the allure of Jan Vermeer's famous painting 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' is the fabric so artfully wrapped around the model's head. Many celebrities have worn turbans as well, including Hedy Lamarr, Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss and Salma Hayek. Even England's Queen Elizabeth II has on occasion swapped her usual hats for a striking fabric head covering.
If you want a dramatic look for the evening, wear the item with a simple and elegant evening dress. You can also wear it during the day, with a bold necklace or earrings for an ethnic twist. If you don't feel like washing or styling your hair, this head covering is a great alternative. It's a good option too if you're having cancer treatment and don't want to wear a wig.
There are many turban styles and different methods of tying the fabric. For the most basic version, you need a large scarf in a square shape. Fold two opposing corners together to form a triangle. Then lean over a little, place the long side of the fabric against the back of your neck and take the ends towards the front. Let the other end hang over your forehead. Tie the two ends that you've brought forward together on top of your crown.
The next step is to take the ends you've just tied together and wrap them around your head towards the back again. Twist them a little if you want. Knot them together at the nape of your neck. You can either leave the loose bits hanging loose or tuck them under the fabric. At the front, tuck the loose end back around the knot on your crown.
You can add an African twist to the basic method. Once you've made the knot on your crown, wrap the loose ends around the knot several times instead of tying them at the back. You can either tuck the ends in or tie them in a bow-like knot. Now position this dramatic knot the way you want it: either on top of your head or a little to one side.
There is another variation that will leave you with a neat, more subtle turban. Instead of knotting the two long sides together on top of your head, simply twist them twice around each other. Then tie them back and tuck in the ends. Fold back the pointy end at your forehead and tuck it underneath the twisted fabric.
You'll find many video and photo tutorials online to show you how to tie a turban in different ways. In one of her movies, 'Come Live With Me', Hedy Lamarr even demonstrates her method. If tying seems to complicated, another option is to look in vintage clothing shops for a premade, 1970s-style version that is worn more like a hat. You can wear your hair loose but it's more common to tuck it all in underneath the fabric. Now all you need is some stunning earrings and a regal air for an unforgettable look.
Women have often worn the item too to add a little exotic glamour to their outfit. For instance, part of the allure of Jan Vermeer's famous painting 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' is the fabric so artfully wrapped around the model's head. Many celebrities have worn turbans as well, including Hedy Lamarr, Gloria Swanson, Greta Garbo, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss and Salma Hayek. Even England's Queen Elizabeth II has on occasion swapped her usual hats for a striking fabric head covering.
If you want a dramatic look for the evening, wear the item with a simple and elegant evening dress. You can also wear it during the day, with a bold necklace or earrings for an ethnic twist. If you don't feel like washing or styling your hair, this head covering is a great alternative. It's a good option too if you're having cancer treatment and don't want to wear a wig.
There are many turban styles and different methods of tying the fabric. For the most basic version, you need a large scarf in a square shape. Fold two opposing corners together to form a triangle. Then lean over a little, place the long side of the fabric against the back of your neck and take the ends towards the front. Let the other end hang over your forehead. Tie the two ends that you've brought forward together on top of your crown.
The next step is to take the ends you've just tied together and wrap them around your head towards the back again. Twist them a little if you want. Knot them together at the nape of your neck. You can either leave the loose bits hanging loose or tuck them under the fabric. At the front, tuck the loose end back around the knot on your crown.
You can add an African twist to the basic method. Once you've made the knot on your crown, wrap the loose ends around the knot several times instead of tying them at the back. You can either tuck the ends in or tie them in a bow-like knot. Now position this dramatic knot the way you want it: either on top of your head or a little to one side.
There is another variation that will leave you with a neat, more subtle turban. Instead of knotting the two long sides together on top of your head, simply twist them twice around each other. Then tie them back and tuck in the ends. Fold back the pointy end at your forehead and tuck it underneath the twisted fabric.
You'll find many video and photo tutorials online to show you how to tie a turban in different ways. In one of her movies, 'Come Live With Me', Hedy Lamarr even demonstrates her method. If tying seems to complicated, another option is to look in vintage clothing shops for a premade, 1970s-style version that is worn more like a hat. You can wear your hair loose but it's more common to tuck it all in underneath the fabric. Now all you need is some stunning earrings and a regal air for an unforgettable look.