Muslims are voicing their disapproval at the current trend of balaclavas, which was sparked in part by Kim Kardashian’s September Met Gala appearance. They claim that headscarves get more love when they’re fashionable.

Kardashian made headlines for her anti-fashion statements at the Met Gala in September. She wore a Balenciaga catsuit and headcover, which put balaclavas back on the fashion radar. 

The Crimean War was the first time this garment was used to cover the entire face.

It’s been given the couture treatment in recent years, with a cashmere balaclava by designer Loro Piana currently retailing at £840. They have been worn by Justin Bieber and Beyonce, as well as Kim Kardashian.   

There have been many TikTok videos that promote the trend, and show people how to turn a scarf in to a balaclava. However, this has drawn negative responses from many Muslims.   

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In September 2021, Kim Kardashian wore a Balenciaga couture catsuit that covered her face to the Met Gala ball; the unusual outfit has since sparked a trend for balaclavas...but some have criticised the fashion fad, saying religious garments such as the hijab aren't afforded the same respect

Kim Kardashian was seen in a Balenciaga couture Catsuit, which covered her face at the Met Gala Ball.

TikTok user @laurenblackborow's video explaining how to transform a scarf into a balaclava has sparked negative comments

A TikTok user, @laurenblackborow posted a video showing how to turn a scarf in a balaclava. It has received negative comments 

In the video, the TikToker shows how to transform a scarf into balaclava-style headwear...with some Muslims saying it's simply showing people how to make a hijab

The video shows the TikToker how to turn a scarf into headwear that looks like a balaclava. Some Muslims say it is simply showing how to make hijab.

Hafsa Lodi (author of Modesty: A Fashion Paradox), wrote in Stylist that Kardashian is often seen as artistic and mysterious for her fashion choices. However, Muslim women tend to be viewed differently.

In the article for the fashion magazine, she wrote: ‘Why is it “mysterious” and “artistic” when Kim Kardashian dons an all-black, face-covering get-up to the Met Gala, but barbaric when a Muslim woman makes the decision to cover her body in a burqa?’

Twitter and TikTok users suggested that Western women would not be allowed to wear a headscarf because they are fashionable. However, those with religious motives might find themselves treated differently.   

US TikTok User @mailhaness shared: ‘If your a black young man, you call it a hood, and the cops can kill you. You can be ‘hate-crimed if you are a Muslim female’  

More than 225,000 people have liked the video, and many comments support @mailhaness. 

Some have suggested on Twitter that the balaclava style is a take-off of the Islamic hijab. The TikTok instructions for how to make a scarf into an balaclava were also criticised. 

Writing for Stylist magazine, Hafsa Lodi, author of the Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, said the trend showed the double standards of the fashion industry - with Islamic clothes rarely featured in mainstream fashion

Writing for Stylist magazine, Hafsa Lodi, author of the Modesty: A Fashion Paradox, said the trend showed the double standards of the fashion industry – with Islamic clothes rarely featured in mainstream fashion

Some have suggested that wearing a balaclava is seen as 'cool or trendy' while wearing a hijab is seen as political

Many people believe that wearing a balaclava can be considered trendy or cool, while wearing hijabs is politically incorrect. 

US TikToker @mailhaness, left, interjected on one of the TikTok videos showing the balaclava trend

She pointed out how head scarves see many people treated negatively

US TikToker @mailhaness left interjected on TikTok Videos showing the balaclava trends, right. He pointed out that many people can treat head covers negatively.

The balaclava was invented by the Crimean soldier to keep them warm.

Balaclavas, also called balaclava helmet, Bally, or ski mask, are a type of cloth headgear that covers only a portion of your face. They usually cover the eyes, mouth, and nose. 

The style you choose and how it is worn will determine whether the eye, mouth, and nose are protected or the entire front. 

It was originally worn by soldiers during wartime in 19th-century Crimean War.

The tutorial was posted by @laurenblackborow and received negative feedback. 

One criticism on Twitter @joonsauraus said: “Starting think that tiktokers do not know what a Balaclava is because the scarf trend is them wearing hijabs.”

 @aliensh**t added: ‘Didn’t they call hijabs and niqabs oppressive and ugly now everyone wants to wear a balaclava. Funny how this works.   

@juanjosevillaxo wrote: “While people wear balaclavas these days are considered fashionable, Muslim women who wear hijabs are frequently discriminated against.”

Although a balaclava can make someone look trendy, the hijab is often viewed as an expression of oppression.

Kim Kardashian and TikTok are also credited for bringing back the Balaclava.

Justin Bieber wore the unorthodox fashion accessory while performing at The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating America: A Lexicon Of Fashion, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on September 13. 

Loro Piana's Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere and comes with a hefty £840 price tag

Loro Piana’s Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere and comes with a hefty £840 price tag

Balaclavas have also played a starring role in new collections from the likes of Stella McCartney and Stone Island, with prices starting from £150. 

While Prada’s co-creative director Raf Simons has incorporated them in his collections since the early 2000s, other designer brands have since jumped on the bandwagon – including Givenchy which is selling a £340 Mesh-mohair Balaclava with built-in Horns Cecilie Bahnsen’s £305 version, which has a frilly neck.  

Meanwhile, Loro Piana’s Achillea Balaclava, which is made from cashmere, comes with a hefty £840 price tag.

Greater Goods from London has launched three collections of multi-coloured, hand-knitted Balaclavas. They sold out each in days.

The 100 per cent Japanese wool garments come with a price-tag of £129 and are described online as ‘inspired  by the great outdoors.’ 

On the other end of the price scale, Sweaty Betty is selling a £45 knit which is available in a black and grey leopard print pattern, while balaclavas at Urban Outfitters retail for as little as £20.  

Highsnobiety’s editorial director, Christopher Morency, who brands rappers such as Skepta and Pa Salieu as modern-day pinups for the garment, added: ‘Shoppers are getting more comfortable with taking sartorial risks.’

“Now, growth is the only acceptable performance indicator in fashion. Business has overtaken it. That means that brands can sell anything that sticks. 

“I believe therefore that the balaclava is likely to be around for quite some time. It might be worn by a group that changes, but the item won’t.

FEMAIL spoke with Rochelle, a celebrity stylist, in February. Rochelle said that even though some associate knitwear and ‘gangs’ and ‘crime’ with ski wear, she predicted that balaclavas will be the accessory to the year. 

Rochelle pointed out that Beyonce wore the cover-up when she was promoting the ltest Ivy Park line as an indication of its popularity. 

Cecilie Bahnsen's Gigi wool knit balaclava, which retails at £305 (pictured)

Cecilie Bahnsen’s Gigi wool knit balaclava, which retails at £305 (pictured) 

Beyonce wore a balaclava with diamonds underneath a bright-silver hoodie in an advertisement for Ivy Park x adidas. 

The stylist said that the popularity of the Balaclava Fashion could come from many factors, including celebrity fashion and brands.

She pointed to the global pandemic as another reason fashion-lovers might be looking to cover up, adding: ‘With the rise as mask-acne, this is a new way to be safe but practical.’