text: why do women put on headscarfs when not moslems,what shape and style should they be put on,when and where ?   i have had and worn scaves amost of my life. scarves were fashion until recently. this is what i found on a website noted in the sources section below.  "a lost art...wearing headscarves...what today is sometimes called head wraps. back in the 1950's, 60's, and early 70's, wearing headscarves was fashionable...even with teenage girls. so what happened?   three turns of fate...  first, the catholic church stopped requiring that women cover their heads in church. second, the carmakers stopped making convertibles (they make them again, but the damage is done). finally (and worst of all), the iranian takeover of the us embassy (in iran) in 1979. headscarves were linked with religion again, but this time (in what western countries perceived) in a negative way. of course, there were changes in hairstyles and other factors, but these were the big three...particularly the last.  of course, the september 11th attack and the war with iraq has once again provided an unfair negative focus on headscarves."  in the western world (except for the catholic church) the scarf was a fashion accessory, not religious clothing.