So what if the French dislike how the Arabs dress. Let’s just look at the chic part of it. Malevolently handsome actor Akshay Kumar swung to a mushy song in Singh Is Kinng in a kaffiyeh (Arab head scarf with checks) along with actress Katrina Kaif. And Shah Rukh Khan has been reportedly seen pulling off a kaffiyeh. The symbol of Palestinian resistance, the black and white chequered cloth has moved out of the desert zone into the swanky high streets of India. Young men jauntily sport it as a neck piece and while the pattern (checks) remains the same, the hues have changed from the classic black and white to white and red checks, white and blue and even an earthy brown.

Designer Atsu Sekhose attributes the popularity to Bollywood influence. “It started abroad long back and was hugely popular in the UK where high-street brands such as Talk Shop and New Look used to stock the scarves. In India, it is thanks to the Bollywood influence that you see a lot of youngsters wearing it. Though it doesn’t match with Indian clothing, it looks trendy and is ideal for the sweltering heat.”

Although kaffiyehs are adopted by the fashion industry as a male piece, they are worn by women as well. Designer Pratima Pandey, who wears the ladies kaffiyeh, says the best place to locate it is in Janpath, a popular shopping market. She gives a lowdown on the kaffiyeh, “It has different kinds of weaves, one of them is called a herringbone weave. The piece itself is very utilitarian and is ideal for summers,” says Pandey. So, pull it off while you are still young.