The Balaclava/Snood Look

A Balaclava is pretty much a ski mask. It is a form of cloth headgear designed to expose only part of the face, usually the eyes and mouth. When it comes to fashion the balaclava is worn more to cover your ears and some of your hair and the front bits of the hair is sometimes left peaking out of the balaclava. But when it gets really cold outside and the temperature is frigid a balaclava will be more to cover the entire head with only the eyes, nose and mouth exposed. The idea of the balaclava is to keep your head, neck and face warm during the winter months. A snood is often a neck gaiter, which is typically a tube-like scarf that can be pulled up over the face, nose, and ears to cover the whole head. Both are similar but not the same thing. But both serve the same purpose.

Balaclava's are something that you'll see being worn in eastern European countries on a daily basis as part of everyday daily wear during the colder months. But now more and more women are wearing them every winter in NYC and in other major cities and countries whenever it gets really cold. Prior to last season I hadn't seen or heard about balaclava's or snoods much. Now you can go to many retailers and find balaclavas and snoods a lot. Before you could only find balaclava's in like a latex stretchy fabric. Now you can find balaclava's and snoods in all sorts of fabrics from cashmere, to wool, to cotton and other fabrics.

As we are approaching the winter season a balaclava and a snood is a great accessory to have for the winter season. A balaclava and a snood is an accessory that you can always wear every winter season. It is an accessory that is easy to pack up and take on the go. It doesn't take up space and you can put it around your neck like a hoodie so you don't have to always have it on your head. If you're in a climate that has a winter season then you're probably prepping for the colder months. Below are some balaclava and snood looks worth checking out this winter season and winter seasons to come. To learn more about the balaclava's and snoods below you can click on each link below each picture which will take you to the retailer selling the look.

White & Warren Cashmere Balaclava $345;

Rouje Paris Amine hood $125;

Old Navy Rib-knit Balaclava $10.19;

J. Crew Ribbed Faire Isle Balaclava in Lambswool $148;

Moma Design Store Verloop Color Mix Knit Balaclava $65;

Lily Silk Cashmere Balaclava $116;

Veronica Beard Wool-Cashmere Snood $248;