The short answer
A niqab is a piece of fabric worn across the lower and middle part of the face, with an opening for the eyes. It is worn together with a headscarf, so it is one layer of an outfit rather than a complete covering on its own. The top edge usually sits across the forehead or the bridge of the nose, and the panel falls down over the chin and the front of the neck. It fastens behind the head with ties or elastic.
Who wears a niqab, and when, varies between people, families, communities, regions and schools of thought. Some wearers use it every day, some on particular occasions, and many people who wear a hijab never wear one. A product page does not need to explain those choices. It needs to describe the garment accurately so a customer can choose the right size, layer count and fabric.
How a niqab is constructed
Most niqabs share the same basic parts. There is a front panel, which is the visible face piece; an eye opening, either a single slot or a shaped opening; a band across the top that holds the shape; and a fastening at the back. Some styles add one or more extra layers that can be worn up or flipped down over the eye area. The extra layer is usually lighter and more see-through than the main panel.
| Part | What it does | What to write on the spec sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Front panel | Main face piece, falls over chin and neck | Length from top band to hem, width, fabric |
| Eye opening | Single slot or shaped opening | Opening width and height, edge finish |
| Top band | Holds the panel in position across the face | Band width, whether it is doubled or interfaced |
| Fastening | Ties or elastic behind the head | Tie length or elastic length, stitching |
| Extra layers | Flip-down layer over the eye area | Number of layers, fabric of each layer |
The main styles
Single-layer niqab
One panel of fabric with an eye opening and a fastening. It is the simplest construction, the lightest to wear and the easiest to size. Single-layer styles are common as everyday pieces and are often the first niqab a store stocks.
Multi-layer niqab
A main panel plus one or more extra layers attached at the top band. The extra layer can sit back over the head or be flipped down over the eye area. Listings commonly describe these as two-layer or three-layer. The extra layers are usually in a light, sheer fabric such as chiffon, so the wearer can still see through them.
Tie-back niqab
A niqab that fastens with long ties instead of elastic. Ties let the wearer adjust the fit, and many customers find them more comfortable for long wear. Elastic versions are quicker to put on. Some styles combine both, with elastic at the top band and ties lower down. A side-by-side comparison of these styles is in niqab styles compared.
How a niqab is put on
The usual order is headscarf or underscarf first, then the niqab. The wearer positions the top band across the face, pulls the ties or elastic around to the back of the head and fastens them over or under the headscarf. On multi-layer styles the extra layer is then left up or brought down. Because the niqab sits over a headscarf, the two need to work together: a slippery headscarf under a heavy niqab tends to shift, which is why many wearers use a jersey underscarf as the base layer. See underscarves and caps.
Fabrics
Most niqabs are made in a matte woven polyester crepe sold under trade names such as nida or medina silk. It is opaque, light, drapes softly and does not shine. Chiffon is used for the flip-down layers and for lighter styles, because it is sheer. Crepe and georgette appear on dressier versions. Jersey is less common for the face panel itself but is often used for matching caps.
Breathability matters more on a niqab than on most garments, because the fabric sits close to the face for long periods. When you sample, ask wearers on your team or in your customer base to wear the sample for a full afternoon, not just try it on. Comfort complaints usually come from fabric weight, a top band that is too tight, or ties that are too short to knot comfortably.
Sizes and colors
Niqabs are usually sold in one size with adjustable ties or elastic, but panel length varies a lot between styles: some end just below the chin, others fall well down the chest. Customers notice length more than any other measurement, so list it in centimeters and inches. Black is the most common color in this category, with navy, grey, brown and other deep tones following; some stores sell niqabs in colors that match their khimars and abayas. Matching across pieces means matching fabric too, because the same color looks different on crepe and on chiffon.
Niqab, hijab and burqa: where the words differ
A hijab is a headscarf that leaves the face visible. A niqab is a face veil worn with a headscarf. A burqa is a word used for different regional garments, in Afghanistan usually a full-length garment with a mesh panel over the eyes. The three are often confused in search and on product pages. Our guide to hijab, niqab and burqa differences sets them side by side, and the burqa guide covers the regional meanings. Rules about face coverings in public places vary by country and change; take local advice for your market.
For sellers: naming and describing a niqab
A respectful product page describes the garment and leaves the choice to the customer. Use the word niqab and add a plain description, for example single-layer tie-back niqab in matte crepe. Then cover the details customers ask about.
- Style and layers. Single-layer, two-layer or three-layer, and which layer is sheer.
- Fastening. Ties, elastic or both, with tie length.
- Measurements. Panel length and width, eye opening size, in cm and inches.
- Fabric. Fiber content as on the label, plus the trade name if you use one.
- Care. The same instructions as on the care label.
Avoid language that guesses at the wearer's reasons, and avoid ranking a niqab as more or less modest than other garments. Photograph the garment flat or on a form, without faces. When you are ready to plan a line, the niqab sourcing page covers styles and finishes, and the sample request form starts a written quote with minimums confirmed for your program.