Hijab pinning hacks exist because this exact emergency happens to almost every hijab wearer eventually. You reach for your pin stash and it’s empty. Or you’re at someone else’s house with nothing in your bag. Here’s what actually works when you’re genuinely stuck, using things most people already have nearby.
The paperclip hijab pinning hack
A standard paperclip, bent gently into a loose U-shape, works surprisingly well as an emergency pin. It won’t hold as securely as a real pin for a full day, but it gets you through an hour or two without your hijab slipping at the worst possible moment.
Slide it through both layers of fabric the same way you’d place a pin, at the chin or jaw. Metal paperclips work better than plastic ones here, since plastic tends to flex and lose its grip faster.
The hair tie and tuck method
No pin at all? A hair tie can sometimes save you, particularly for a simple wrap style. Twist the fabric at the point you’d normally pin, then wrap a hair tie around the twisted section a few times to hold it in place, tucking the ends under.
This works best with jersey, since its stretch holds a twist more reliably than a slippery fabric would. It’s not elegant up close, but from a normal viewing distance it holds a simple style together just fine.
Using a safety pin substitute: paper staples or binder clips
A small binder clip, the kind used for office paperwork, can work in a genuine pinch for a looser style that doesn’t need to hold tightly against your face. It’s visible if someone looks closely, so this one’s best for a short errand rather than an all-day event.
A single stapled fold, while unconventional, has worked for some women in a true emergency. This isn’t something to plan around, but it’s worth knowing it’s technically possible if you’re genuinely out of every other option.
Preventing the emergency in the first place
The real fix, long term, is keeping a backup pin stash somewhere you’ll actually have it: your car, your work bag, a coat pocket you use often. A small pouch with two or three spare pins costs you nothing in effort and solves this problem before it starts, whether you’re heading to work, travelling, or just running errands.
Common questions
What’s the best household item to use instead of a hijab pin? A metal paperclip, bent into a loose U-shape, is the closest substitute to an actual pin in both function and hold. It won’t last a full day, but it works well for an hour or two in a real emergency.
Can a hair tie really hold a hijab in place? For a simple, loose style, yes, particularly with stretchy jersey fabric. Twist the fabric at the hold point and wrap a hair tie around it a few times. It’s not a long-term fix, but it works for a short period.
How do I avoid this emergency happening again? Keep a small backup pin stash in your bag, car, or coat pocket. A pouch with two or three spare pins solves this problem permanently, and it takes almost no effort to set up once. Our jersey collection is a good place to pick up a couple of spare everyday pieces too, so you’re never caught without a backup.