Best Turban Fabrics Explained — Full Voile, Rubia Voile & Mal Mal Compared
Three fabrics. Three completely different feels. One is best for beginners, one holds its shape like nothing else, and one feels like you're wearing nothing at all.
Full Voile
Full Voile is our bestselling fabric — and for good reason. It is lightweight, soft, and flows naturally when you tie it. Of the three fabrics we offer, Full Voile is the easiest to work with. The fabric drapes smoothly, is forgiving during the tying process, and feels airy and comfortable on the head throughout the day.
When you pick up a Full Voile turban, the first thing you notice is how little it weighs. It feels like almost nothing in your hands. When tied, that lightness translates to a clean, natural drape — the turban sits on the head without heaviness, making it a natural choice for long days and daily wear.
- Lightest and most comfortable for daily wear
- Easiest fabric to learn tying on
- Flows and drapes naturally
- Clean, neat appearance when tied
- Available in 100+ colours
- Less volume than Rubia Voile
- Requires good base and oiled hair to hold well all day
- Not as structured as Rubia for bold, full looks
Bottom line: If you are tying a turban for the first time, or if you prefer a light, comfortable everyday fabric — start with Full Voile. It is the perfect introduction to the Dastar and the go-to for the majority of Sikh men who wear a turban daily.
Rubia Voile
Rubia Voile is slightly heavier than Full Voile — and that extra weight is exactly what gives it its character. When tied, Rubia Voile sits firmly and boldly on the head. It takes its place and stays there. The layers lock in and hold their shape through long events, travel, and active days in a way that lighter fabrics simply cannot match.
For men who like a fuller, more voluminous turban — one that commands presence — Rubia Voile is the natural choice. It is particularly popular for weddings and long formal events precisely because of how well it holds. Once you tie a Rubia Voile turban, it doesn't move easily. That stability and structure is what its fans love most about it.
- Fuller, more voluminous look when tied
- Holds its shape and position all day
- More natural grip between layers — stays put
- Excellent for weddings and long events
- Available in 100+ colours
- Slightly heavier than Full Voile
- Takes a little more practice to tie evenly
- More substantial feel — not everyone prefers the added weight
Bottom line: If you want a turban that holds its shape firmly, looks bold and full, and stays in place through a long day or a wedding — Rubia Voile is your fabric. It is the favourite of men who prefer presence and structure in their Dastar.
Mal Mal F74
Mal Mal F74 is something else entirely. If Full Voile is light, Mal Mal is almost weightless. When you wear it, you genuinely do not feel like you have anything on your head — the fabric is so fine and so soft that it disappears against your skin. Men who wear Mal Mal regularly describe it as the closest thing to wearing nothing at all, while still carrying the full visual presence of a beautifully tied Dastar.
The softness of Mal Mal F74 is unlike any other turban fabric. It is the most delicate weave we offer — finer than Full Voile, finer than Rubia Voile — and that fineness is what makes it so extraordinary to wear. Once you have tied a Mal Mal turban and felt it throughout the day, other fabrics feel noticeably heavier by comparison.
The One Thing to Know About Mal Mal
Mal Mal F74 is harder to tie — especially for beginners. Because the fabric is so fine and lightweight, it is more slippery during the tying process. It does not grip as easily as Full Voile or hold as naturally as Rubia Voile while you're building the Laraan. For someone just learning to tie, this can be frustrating.
But once you have the technique down — once you've practised on Full Voile first and built the muscle memory — Mal Mal becomes one of the most rewarding fabrics to tie. The difficulty is in the learning, not in the fabric itself.
- The lightest, most featherweight fabric available
- Extraordinarily soft — barely feel it on your head
- Premium, fine look when tied correctly
- No specific season or occasion — can be worn anytime
- Available in 100+ colours
- Slippery to tie — harder for beginners
- Requires solid tying technique to hold well
- Less forgiving than Full Voile during practice
Bottom line: Mal Mal F74 is for the man who wants the finest, most luxurious feel possible — and who already knows how to tie. If you are still learning, start with Full Voile, build your technique, and graduate to Mal Mal when you're ready. The reward is worth the journey.
All Three Fabrics — Side by Side
| Feature | Full Voile | Rubia Voile | Mal Mal F74 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light | Medium | Featherlight |
| Feel on Head | Soft, airy | Full, structured | Barely there |
| Ease of Tying | Easiest | Easy–Medium | Advanced |
| Holds Shape | Good | Best | Good with technique |
| Volume / Fullness | Medium | Most Full | Elegant, refined |
| Softness | Soft | Soft | Ultra Soft |
| Best For | Beginners, daily wear | Weddings, events, bold looks | Experienced tyers, premium feel |
| Colour Range | 100+ | 100+ | 100+ |
| Free Pikko Stitching | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
Which Fabric Is Right for You?
You are tying for the first time, prefer a light everyday feel, or want the most forgiving fabric to practice and improve with.
You want maximum hold and volume, are tying for a wedding or long event, or prefer a bold, structured look that stays in place all day.
You are an experienced tyer who wants the finest, softest, most premium feel — and you're ready to work with a more delicate fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
We wouldn't recommend it. Mal Mal is slippery and harder to control during tying, which makes the learning process frustrating when you're starting out. Begin with Full Voile — build your technique for a few weeks — then move to Mal Mal when the tying feels natural. You'll appreciate it far more that way.
Yes. Every colour in our range is available across all three fabrics. So if you find a colour you love, you can choose the fabric that suits your preference without any compromise on colour.
Neither specifically — fabric choice at Meri Dastar is about personal preference in feel and structure, not season. Some men wear Rubia year-round because they love the hold and volume. Others prefer the lighter feel of Full Voile regardless of season. Try both and let your preference decide.
Yes — gentle hand wash in cool or lukewarm water, mild detergent, and drying in the shade (never direct sunlight) works for all three. Mal Mal F74 is the most delicate so be extra gentle when washing. Read our full turban care guide for step-by-step instructions.
Yes — free double stitching (Pikko) is included as standard on every turban we sell, regardless of fabric. Your turban arrives ready to tie with both edges finished cleanly.
Shop All Three Fabrics at Meri Dastar
100+ colours. Free Pikko on every order. Shipping across India and worldwide.
