What Is a Durag: Historical past, Symbolism, and Styling
Once I sat down to begin this column, I learn each durag associated article I might discover. Quite a bit has been stated lately, particularly inside mainstream and popular culture. Its historical past is deep and mythological, the entire data was on the market, however nothing felt private. I knew I could not discover the impression of the durag with out revisiting its impression on me, and the group I grew up in. I am unable to bear in mind a time the place proudly owning at the least one wasn’t the norm. One in every of my first grooming experiences was tying down my hair after moisturizing and brushing. You could not preserve your haircut recent and neat should you did not use a durag. It was an unstated custom, constructed round a easy piece of cloth. It is an merchandise so broadly obtainable, however so personally outlined. I puzzled the way it has lasted so lengthy, the place it got here from, and the place was it going. What makes the durag so distinctive that it defines a long time of Black American tradition?
What’s a Durag?
A durag is a kind of hair overlaying utilized by Black folks to assist shield their hair and keep a wavy hair texture.
A Little Durag Historical past
One of many earliest printed data of the durag was within the June 1966 Akron Beacon Journal, then spelled “Do Rag.” There, it was described as “a fabric band worn across the brow as a sweatband to maintain hair in place”. They’d advanced from the Nineteenth-century when slave girls used head wraps to maintain their hair up and out of the best way throughout labor. Firms like So Many Waves had been credited for promoting their model of the durag within the late Seventies, calling theirs the “Tie-down.” It grew to become a mandatory device for Black males, used to coach their curl patterns or to lock down hairstyles throughout sleep. The durag remained solely useful till the Nineties, when it began to turn into an emblem of inner-city Black tradition. Years earlier than the style business took discover, it had turn into trendy within the streets. The durag transitioned from a haircare merchandise right into a legit model accent, most notably popularized by hip-hop and mirrored on the heads of males and boys all through the nation.
It is All About Waves
Rising up, the purpose was all the time to have one of the best waves. Most of us needed to practice our hair to attain that look. My method was to spray my hair with water, apply Murray’s pomade and oil, then brush till my arms burned. The method was accomplished by loosely tying down my durag (with the seam on the surface to keep away from the dreaded brow line). I’d get up the following morning with shiny, spinning waves. Having waves wasn’t about becoming a regular of magnificence and it wasn’t being enforced by the surface world. Durags represented pleasure in pure hair, a long time earlier than hashtags existed. This ritual continues immediately, with #wavecheck movies throughout social media. Every clip containing teams of younger folks proudly exhibiting off their 360 waves (when their curl sample creates a wave impact that wraps round their complete head). This has taken the model to new heights, turning right into a pleasant competitors. Durags made it cool for Black males to care in regards to the look of their hair.
A Model And Style Muse
It is simple that prime trend has discovered inspiration from the durag. There have been refined, and never so refined interpretations on the runway (they had been the speak of F/W 14 Rick Owens present). Nevertheless, pulling it off takes a swagger that may’t be borrowed. Solange Knowles effortlessly wore a halo adorned durag to the 2018 Met Gala. Earlier than her, there was the rapper Cam’ron, who made pink durags a factor within the early 2000s. They grew to become extra flamboyant throughout that period. There are numerous colours, prints, lengths, and materials obtainable immediately. Durags are customizable to match any look or angle. They handle to be avenue and punk on the identical time. Durags make an announcement, but it surely’s extra than simply trend. They’re a bit of historical past that has remained intact, permitting the wearer to specific who they’re. That is why they’re so fascinating in the best way they’ve come to characterize the types of an often-misunderstood counterculture.
The Verdict: Icon Standing
Durags have all the time been part of my life. Nobody taught me tips on how to use them—it simply got here naturally. I am positive that speaks for a lot of women and men all over the world. From recent Caesar cuts to braids, pure fros and each model in between, they’ve been counted on to assist protect and keep Black hair. I additionally perceive why they’re such a recognizable object of private model. Admittedly, I used to have a special durag to match each outfit (I’ve the household photographs show it). They’ve an ever-evolving affect and a legacy that’s being handed right down to newer generations. There are actually festivals devoted to them, with lots of gathering in appreciation of the durag. They are often mundane or avenue couture masterpieces—it is all the time the identical vitality. Even should you by no means depart the home in a single, you’ll be able to’t deny the significance of a very good durag. It is the epitome of making one thing from nothing. That is precisely what the tradition is all about. Its place in historical past cannot be erased. This is the reason the durag is a real icon.
Durag Supplies
Durags might be made out of some completely different supplies. Some are literally useful to retaining your waves on swim, whereas others are supposed to be extra of a trend assertion. In the event you’re searching for a cloth that gives nice hair safety, search for silk or satin durags. Velvet is one other widespread selection and a lot of the durags with this materials have some kind of lining inside that’ll preserve your hair merchandise from absorbing into the fabric.
Easy methods to Tie a Durag
Tying a durag positively is not troublesome, however a it does take a little bit of know-how.
- First, place the durag in your head with the flap away out of your face.
- Take a tie in every of your palms and use them to cross the ties into an X form in the back of your neck.
- After you’ve got made an X within the again, you will wish to take the ties in every hand once more and make an X within the entrance as properly—pro-tip, do not make it too tight otherwise you would possibly get a headache.
- Create a knot in the back of your head utilizing the rest of the ties
- The flap might be hanging down within the again at this level. You’ll be able to select to depart it or you’ll be able to tuck it in.
10 Recommendations on Easy methods to Care For Your Durag
Identical to another sort of hair overlaying, durags additionally must be taken care of to maintain your hair and scalp completely satisfied and searching its finest. A clear durag can be good skincare, so keep away from filth and micro organism that may have an effect on your pores and skin.
- Wash your durag weekly, or extra typically should you use a variety of product.
- Keep away from sharing durags with different folks.
- Do not put your durag within the washer.
- Hand wash your durag with delicate cleaning soap (I counsel utilizing Castille cleaning soap).
- Sometimes use a bit of conditioner to maintain the durag comfortable.
- Rinse, gently squeeze extra water, air dry (by no means use a dryer).
- As an alternative of tossing them in a drawer, grasp durags on a hook to protect freshness.
- Maintain an additional durag for when your hair is not as clear.
- Know when it is time to let it go (normally when the holes begin).
- For finest haircare, put money into silk or satin durags (you’ll be able to even have them customized made).
