The hood-meets-facemask ski staple is all over the runways, the streets, and social media…
By contributor Arden Andrews.
Balaclavas seem to be everywhere right now.
During fashion month, the part-hood, part-hat, part-scarf hybrids were all over runways like Proenza Schouler, where Bella Hadid wore a black knit version, and Balenciaga’s face coverings and multidimensional hoods have become synonymous with the look.
On HBO’s streetwear design series The Hype, Winston Bartholomew Holder III (a.k.a. Barth) won the second season and was praised for his original, elevated balaclava looks.
And in the TikTok social sphere, they’ve gone viral.
The ’70s Vintage Ski Revival
“The balaclava has made a huge comeback,” media personality Mina Le points out in a TikTok video discussing their rising popularity. She notes that as part of the current revival culture, it’s a throwback to the ’70s golden age of skiing that embraced space-age looks like catsuits, color blocking, and experimental fabrics. “It’s no surprise that balaclava and other skiwear like stirrup pants and turtlenecks seeped their way into mainstream culture.”
Fleece-y, ultra-soft updates like the Hit The Slopes Printed Balaclava offer a modern fabrication of the throwback trend — and double as a face covering for cold-weather activities (including walking in the wind to a reformer class).
Balaclavas seem to be everywhere right now.
During fashion month, the part-hood, part-hat, part-scarf hybrids were all over runways like Proenza Schouler, where Bella Hadid wore a black knit version, and Balenciaga’s face coverings and multidimensional hoods have become synonymous with the look.
On HBO’s streetwear design series The Hype, Winston Bartholomew Holder III (a.k.a. Barth) won the second season and was praised for his original, elevated balaclava looks.
And in the TikTok social sphere, they’ve gone viral.
The ’70s Vintage Ski Revival
“The balaclava has made a huge comeback,” media personality Mina Le points out in a TikTok video discussing their rising popularity. She notes that as part of the current revival culture, it’s a throwback to the ’70s golden age of skiing that embraced space-age looks like catsuits, color blocking, and experimental fabrics. “It’s no surprise that balaclava and other skiwear like stirrup pants and turtlenecks seeped their way into mainstream culture.”
Fleece-y, ultra-soft updates like the Hit The Slopes Printed Balaclava offer a modern fabrication of the throwback trend — and double as a face covering for cold-weather activities (including walking in the wind to a reformer class).
How To Style The Balaclava Staple
Styling the balaclava can lend classic, cozy, or editorial results depending on the chosen layers. Persian designer Dorian Who notes “I grew up wearing a hijab in Iran,” as she creates her own balaclava by pinning a scarf under her chin over voluminous, ladylike separates that she’s accessorized with lace gloves, pearls, and chunky sneakers. It nods to the conversation about how similar the balaclava is to a traditional hijab, an item that isn’t allowed in certain countries while head scarves and balaclavas appear in the global street-style scenes. It’s a reminder that trends carry meaning beyond their viral status, and keeping an open dialogue is as essential in fashion as any art form.
To further guide the balaclava styling process, Muslim beauty influencer Frishta suggests pairing a black knit balaclava first with a neutral ribbed turtleneck base layer (like the Mock on the Spot bodysuit, for example), and building cold-weather staples like puffer vests and boots up from there. Alternatively, fashion consultant Ludovica Ragazzo balances a plain white tee, jeans and a blazer with a cream-colored version like this Over My Head ribbed balaclava.
And for those that are simply hoping to add a level of tactical performance to minimalistic ensembles, consider pulling the Fluff Ball on with a second-skin Rocky Seamless Turtleneck and recycled leather jacket (a la the Ava) for added warmth without the can’t-move-my-arms-in-this-sweater-now bulk.
Styling the balaclava can lend classic, cozy, or editorial results depending on the chosen layers. Persian designer Dorian Who notes “I grew up wearing a hijab in Iran,” as she creates her own balaclava by pinning a scarf under her chin over voluminous, ladylike separates that she’s accessorized with lace gloves, pearls, and chunky sneakers. It nods to the conversation about how similar the balaclava is to a traditional hijab, an item that isn’t allowed in certain countries while head scarves and balaclavas appear in the global street-style scenes. It’s a reminder that trends carry meaning beyond their viral status, and keeping an open dialogue is as essential in fashion as any art form.
To further guide the balaclava styling process, Muslim beauty influencer Frishta suggests pairing a black knit balaclava first with a neutral ribbed turtleneck base layer (like the Mock on the Spot bodysuit, for example), and building cold-weather staples like puffer vests and boots up from there. Alternatively, fashion consultant Ludovica Ragazzo balances a plain white tee, jeans and a blazer with a cream-colored version like this Over My Head ribbed balaclava.
And for those that are simply hoping to add a level of tactical performance to minimalistic ensembles, consider pulling the Fluff Ball on with a second-skin Rocky Seamless Turtleneck and recycled leather jacket (a la the Ava) for added warmth without the can’t-move-my-arms-in-this-sweater-now bulk.
Your Fashionable Balaclava Styling Guide
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