RETURN of the TURBAN
But which celebs can carry off the tricky trend?
CLAD in modest Versace heels and subtle make-up, Amal Clooney looked almost understated when she met the Pope at the weekend — were it not for her choice of headwear.
For the moment the 38-year-old barrister donned her turban, she overshadowed her movie star husband George and even the pontiff himself.
Mrs Clooney isn’t the only celebrity aware of the power of the turban. Pop stars Kylie Minogue and Katy Perry, models Kate Moss and Eva Herzigova and designer Stella McCartney are among those who have topped their famous faces with the bizarre headgear.
And — don’t scoff — where they lead, you may soon follow. For this bold accessory is hitting the High Street, after appearing on Proenza Schouler and Prada catwalks in the past couple of years.
Having languished in the style doldrums since the Seventies, when they were wildly popular among the jet- set and young royals Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Grace of Monaco, it’s a look that’s ripe for re-invention.
The brash turban is the opposite of the fussy fascinators and prim pillbox hats favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Not only is it a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd, devotees believe wearing one can act as a mini facelift, drawing the eye upwards, lifting the cheekbones and adding flattering height. It can also keep bad hair days under wraps, disguising unwashed locks and unkempt roots.
The turban was traditionally worn by Sikh men, and it was not until the Twenties that fashionable ladies adopted the look, often wearing swathes of fabric stitched to a small cloche hat to mimic the effect without the fuss.
At its most humble, it provided a practical style solution for women in the Forties, who tied cotton headscarves in the manner of a turban while they worked as Land Girls, inspired by stars such as Marlene Dietrich.
Luckily for today’s fans, this season’s turbans don’t need to be tied. Missoni’s £90 versions are wonderful, while the best cheaper styles are at Silkfred.com. Yet while the modern turban may be simple to put on, it is far from easy to wear — as these stars prove . . .