Wrap a Keffiyah around your neck

Wondering how to pep up your wardrobe this weekend? Are you dying to make a fashion statement that is more political than metro***ual? Do you want to dress stylishly, like a rebel but not as a fashion victim? Well the accessory for you to pick up this weekend is the Keffiyah, the Palestinian headscarf that has become the most 'in' thing to have around your neck these days. Lately we spotted Atif Aslam wearing a red and black Keffiyah over a grey t-shirt and jeans, while promoting his new album Meri Kahani. We also caught a glance of VJ Mahira in one, though hers was a black and white stylized animal print.

Originally the Keffiyeh, better known as the Palestinian headscarf, is certainly not a new trend. It has been making headlines in western style files for the past two years. Its popularity first started in France because of the country's sympathy towards the Palestinian cause and then one started seeing it slowly in Germany where kids began wearing it as a political message.

This is one trend that rose from the streets and then made it to international catwalks. It started as an accessory in fashion's 'military season' that drove designers wild last winter and has become radically 'militant' now. The trend has come a full circle. It began as a serious statement and then was picked up by men and women who had no idea of its cause. But now, once again, wearing the Keffiyah is no longer about mindlessly following a trend; it's more about empathizing with the Palestinians and their cause. While some people associate it with Arabs, it is more widely being appreciated as an anti-war statement.

However, it is facing some criticism. According to an internet blogger, "There are some people in the USA who are objecting to the scarf as a fashion statement, many do see it as a political statement and as an endorsement for terrorism, some Jewish students on the US camps scene have raised an issue, however the momentum has not galvanised young people wearing the Keffiyah. As usual, when a symbol is attacked, many people for defiance become slightly more confident in using that symbol, and for political or hip it seems the Keffiyah is this year's black."

Yasser Arafat is responsible for bringing it out as a key accessory. Now who would have thought he could be responsible for making this black and white honeycomb checkered print the most coveted in fashion? The colour has varied; many people prefer to wear it black and white, others red and white and the fashionably charged have actually dyed it a number of colours or even changed its original print. Gaultier gave it a grungy green on Paris' catwalk and last year Topshop introduced Keffiyahs bearing the shop's logo.

The Keffiyah is androgynous but is best worn with jeans and a white t-shirt. If you're looking for more of a statement, then Daku, Voodootee and Skunk all make t-shirts that are leftist enough. Perhaps a Che Guevara print would be inspiring?