Since the Turkish population is 98% Muslim...you will see Pashmina and Hijabs most everywhere you go in Turkey.
Far from drab, they come in an assortment of bright colours and can range from a simple scarf to a shawl type wrap. It is as much a form of modesty to not appear in public bare-headed- as we would not wear a bikini into a shopping mall.
It absolutely boggles my mind here in the states how one moment people are looking down their nose at a woman for baring too much skin...and the next moment looking down at a woman who may be wearing one of these as a form of modesty regarding her religion. The wearers aren't being forced to cover up...much like no one forces us to dress modestly. And when did modesty become a bad thing, anyway? I have come to the opinion that there are a lot of people who spend more time looking down their nose at others...no matter what they do or don't do. Therefore, their hyper-critical opinions are pretty much irrelevant.
I was surprised to see how the 21st Century has crept into the hijab marketing as well. Now offering (eBay no less)
And it even came in designer looks as well. Allah only knows where you would wear a leopard or zebra hijab...maybe just to indulge in the wild side at home????
In case you thought I was making those up.
So next time you pass a woman wearing either of these try to understand that there really ARE cultures and customs that exist outside of your little bubble...m'kay?
And that doesn't make them bad or wrong.
More anon...