What used to be part of the official uniform of Bollywood ‘dakus’ is now the uniform of all in Delhi and is now the most common sight in ‘dilli ki garmi’. Did you get the hint? Be it college going girls on their scooty, vendors on the street, homemakers in a sari or the regular office janta, they all have something in common – it is ‘the scarf’ which doubles as head-gear in the heat.
In the harsh summer months of May to June when the temperatures often go above 44⁰C in the city, this simple yet unique headgear often comes as a lifesaver. Dilliwaalas can therefore be seen wrapped up to stay protected from the severe Loo, the harsh hot winds of dry summer months in the city. This typical piece of cloth accompanied by other protective gear like the long, arm length gloves, caps and hats, protects against sunburns in the soaring heat and allergies due to the high pollution levels.
And besides being protective, the scarf also comes handy as a fashion accessory. These vibrant safas available in numerous designs, both traditional and modern, simple and flamboyant, add to the charm of each girl. Traditional Rajasthani prints matched with proper outfits make for the best fashion accessories and style statements.
“These scarves sell like hot cakes during the summer months. Young college girls buy them the most”, shares a shopkeeper at Sarojini Nagar. “We have a huge variety of these scarves, ranging from Rs70 to 250”, he adds.
Such headgear is also more prominent amongst young riders who throng markets for triangle shaped scarves of their choice and color. You can easily spot a face covered rider on the streets of Delhi, looking more like a ninja or like an Arab traveler straight from the deserts!
“I never forget to cover my face fully with a scarf, wear long gloves, my helmet and my sunglasses when I am riding. This protects me 100 times better than sunscreens and also keeps me cool, says Nisha Rana, a college goer and a young scooty rider.”
So you’ve taken care of your face bur who wants dry rough hands and ugly feet? No one. Right? Don’t forget to get a pair of sweat absorbing cotton socks as well. You can also put on some moisturizer on your hand and then wear your gloves before driving.
Lastly, though the sunscreen lotion helps only 2% as compared to scarves and jerkin, just 5 mins of walk in the sun is enough to tan your skin. So the sunscreen is also a must!
