A hijab is a headcover worn commonly by Muslim women to preserve her modesty and protect her. Not the official definition of hijab but one appropriate for the times.

To buy anything online whether from ebay or a website there are a few pointers you should always look for:

• Multiple forms of contact information with the seller is vital. They should clearly list an email and a telephone number, a physical address is a plus. At our ebay store Middle Eastern Mall  in each product description see how we have listed contact information several times including physical address, email and a toll free phone number.
• The awesome thing about ebay is seller ratings. Take the time to read the feedback... it is the seller's reputation. As an ebay seller you really have to stay on your toes to keep your feedback positive especially if you are a powerseller. At Middle Eastern Mall we have worked hard to keep customers happy even sometimes at a profit loss. See the Middle Eastern Mall Feedback. Keep in mind, nobody is perfect. Also you have to look at the overall average because sometimes buyers give unfair feedback. When you start selling at ebay it takes a while to get organized, so a seller may have a few strikes against them at first but overall improve their operations.
• Read the fine print. What is the seller's return policy? Is the seller going to send you a shipment tracking number? What is the seller's policy if the shipment is lost in the mail? What forms of payment does the seller take and how quickly do they require payment? Any decent seller should have most of this information covered in their listings. If not send a message to the buyer and see how quickly you get a response if any. When buying hijabs or any article of clothing I would only purchase from a seller with an easy return policy. You can never tell if an article of clothing is just right for you in terms of fit, color, fabric and etc. until you try it on. Especially the color is an issue because it is impossible to see the true color on a computer monitor. Computer monitors are all calibrated differently and so colors will vary.

Now onto how to choose a hijab when purchasing at an online venue.

Hijab Types - I personally consult clients in the most popular hijab types - the shawl (oblong, rectangular), scarves (square), amira hijabs (1 piece or 2 piece no pins required to wear), Kuwaiti/Mona hijabs and hijab underscarf caps

There are other kinds of hijabs available such as the niquab, burka, snood, and other variations from different cultures and time periods but for this guide we will focus on the markets present day popular styles listed above.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Level of Modesty

There are an endless number of hijab styles in the market. Every Muslim woman has different needs when it comes to hijabs depending on their size and shape, complexion, desired modesty, climate where they live, and wardrobe needs for daily activities. A Muslimah must first define her desired level of modesty whether it be full coverage with a niquab and khimar or a one piece amira to simply cover the head, hair and neck. No one can define this for a woman but she must decide for herself based upon her Islamic knowledge, level of iman and what she interprets as sufficient. Of course, her husband, mother and/or father may express their opinion but ultimately it is for the woman to decide and answer to Allah (SWS) based upon her intentions and actions. I personally am not an Islamic scholar and suggest you consult a trustworthy person of wisdom such as your local Imam, who can expand further on what is an appropriate hijab.

Body Size and Shape

Whether a Muslimah is a plus size, petite or something in between will effect which hijabs are a good choice. The greatest influence as to how well it will fit is the fabric. Each kind of fabric commonly used for hijabs has its own advantages and disadvantages for particular body types.

Plus-sized Women
AMIRAS
I recommend a stretchy light fabric. A tight hijab around the face is unattractive and uncomfortable. No matter how pretty a hijab is, if it doesn't fit well you will not wear it. An amira hijab with plenty of drape around the head and neck is best. An amira tight around the face tends to make the face look puffy and will emphasize a double-chin. The fabrics which fit plus-sized women well in amira hijabs are lyra (spandex/polyester blends), cotton blends and microfiber fabrics. Lycra is extremely light and stretchy but it holds its shape well. Also cotton/polyester blend hijabs are comfortable choices. Cotton fabric tends to 'breath' so is good for hot weather but cotton does stretch out of shape over time and absorbs the oils from the skin so discolors. Plus sized women should avoid 100% polyester hijabs which tend to be hot, and do not stretch. Microfibers are similar to lycra in stretchability and comfort.

SHAWLS & SCARVES
The traditional scarf & shawl are attractive on plus-sized women.  I recommend wearing an underscarf cap - adds a touch of complementary color, helps the scarf or shawl hold in place (plus something to pin to), and keeps the hair from coming out. Scarves and shawls in 'flowing' fabrics such as georgette, chiffon, cotton/polyester blends, light silks are great choices. I would avoid fabrics that look bulky or stiff with little drape which does not hang flat around the head and shoulders.

Girls & Petite Women
Polyester Hijabs fit very snug on the head and are good choices for young girls or petite women. Polyester stays clean, holds its shape well and is inexpensive. Girls can usually get long term wear in a polyester hijab whereas other fabrics may discolor, stretch out of shape and 'ball up' (cotton and nylon fabrics are notorious for this). Microfiber hijabs are popular among girls because the size is versatile - the fabric fits well. Cotton hijabs unless they are made specifically in girl's sizes tend to look droopy. Girls like the lycra hijabs because they are soft and cool but they do not fit snuggly so may look droopy unless made to fit girl's size.

I believe most scarves and shawls look attractive on girls and petite women without any restrictions in fabrics unless climate is an issue.

Every woman has her own hijab style and how the hijab fits into her life. You can dress modestly and have style. It takes time to try different hijabs to see which suites your particular taste. It is important to order hijabs online from an online hijab shop which clearly states a return policy and a contact number. You cannot tell from a photo how something will fit you. Additionally colors will vary on different monitors so do not count on the color being exactly what you see. Eventually you will want to return a hijab which you purchased online.

Other factors to consider when choosing a hijab online are:

Daily Activities - functionality

CASUAL WEAR
The easiest hijab to wear for casual days are the amira hijabs. They just pull on without pins so perfect for active women especially mothers. The 2 piece set has a headband and a hood. The headband is nice because it keeps the hair off of the face. The one piece amira hijab has the advantage of being only 1 layer and is the easiest of all hijabs to put on. Very popular with young girls. Amira hijabs mostly come in cotton (usually a cotton/polyester blend), polyester or lycra. Each fabric has its own advantage and it is best to try them on because the fabric effects the fit and comfort.

CAREER WEAR
If dressing up is a must for your career, you may want to stick to a more conservative look with the traditional shawls and scarves. Amira hijabs (hijabs that are just pulled on with no pins) tend to look more casual. However, some of the newer designs such as an amira hijab with a print pattern looks quite lovely with solid coordinates, attractive enough for career wear. If you prefer something simple to wear which look nice try the mona hijab or a Kuwaiti hijab 1 piece with the attached shawl. You put on the hood piece, the shawl is attached under the chin so you just wrap the shawl around your head with the satin trim showing on the outside. The picture below shows a stylish mona which is a new design for 2008.

 
Kuwait Hijabs from Middle Eastern Mall

Climate

Age

Color for complexion