Islamic Clothing

Islamic Clothing - The Amalgamation of Modesty and Style

One of the most important concepts of Islam is modesty. By that, it means, that the person should be modest in their everyday habits and their dressing. The dressing requires people, both men and women to wear clothes that do not show their skin. The requirements for men and women differ but both genders are recommended to wear modest clothing. Here, we are focusing on women’s relationship with modest clothes.

As read above, initially the concept of modesty was religious, written in the Quran to wear clothes that cover their bodies. But in modern times, the reasons to adopt such clothes have changed. Some of the reasons are to avoid being sexualized; to not rely on external validation for the choice of clothes; to avoid running after trends or to be not judged by the body or face.

The clothes that the women wear cover the head, hair, shoulders, hands and the rest of the body. All the garments may or may not be worn all at once. As with everything prescribed in religion, women pick and choose what they prefer. This preference is based on upbringing, society, occasions, comfort, and the level of modesty the person wishes to have. Muslim women too consider these factors while opting for various kinds of Islamic clothing. Let us understand various aspects of Islamic clothing and muslim women dresses.

Types of Stunning and Versatile Islamic Clothing

From head coverings to body robes, Muslim clothing has many options for women that will not only fulfil their modesty dressing needs but also make them look modern and fashionable. In this section, we will explain various kinds of Islamic clothing. Many people might have heard these terms as they are popular, but they often feel confused by them. But we are here to clear them out. So let us dive into the same.

• Abaya: One of the staples of Muslim women clothing, Abaya is a long and loose cloak-like Muslim dress. This Islamic dress covers the body from shoulder to ankles and is worn over regular clothes. It has long sleeves but no waist-defining stitch. The traditional abayas are black with no embellishments. However, in today’s times, they come in a variety of colors, muted as well as bright. Some of the popular muted ones include dusty rose, midnight blue, forest green, and beige, amongst others. Ruby red, cobalt blue, electric purple, and fuschia are some of the many exciting bright hues in which abayas are available. Besides classy colors, abayas also might feature statement embroidery or abstract print on the front and the sleeve hems. Abayas also come in many kinds of fabrics such as georgette, cotton, silk, satin, chiffon, jersey, crepe and others. Some of the styles of abayas that are well-known include open abaya, closed abaya, batwing abaya, kimono abaya, and fustan dress.
• Jilbab: This is another outer garment that is rather popular with Muslim women. A jilbab is also a loose-fitting Muslim dress. Like abaya, it typically covers the entire body and is worn over everyday clothes. But the key difference between abaya and jilbab is that the jilbab has a front opening while the abaya is worn over. Jilbab is like a coat whereas abaya is not. Jilbabs are also available in many interesting hues. The muted colors such as white, black, and tan remain well-loved while dark purple, navy blue, dark maroon, and forest green are also available. To spruce up the jilbab, brands now use a contrasting color or embroidery on the placket and hems.
• Hijab: Some of the meanings of hijab translate to ‘barrier’, ‘veil’, ‘screen’, or curtain’. Hijab is a scarf worn over the head and at least covers hair and neck. Earlier, hijab was an umbrella term for various kinds of head coverings. A Muslim woman who practices wearing hijab regularly is called a hijabi. They come in many kinds of fabrics and colours, from neutral to vibrant. Many are also printed or embroidered.
• Islamic Veils: While hijab is a headscarf worn to cover the hair and the neck, there are other kinds of veils too. All cover the head, hair and neck but some cover more. Here are the examples of popular veils. Shayla is a long and rectangular scarf, wrapped around the head and tucked or pinned at the shoulders. Chador is a semicircle fabric draped over the head like a shawl. As it has no fasteners, it is generally held together in the front under the neck by hand. A two-piece veil, Al-amira has a close-fitting cap that is typically made from cotton or polyester and a tube-like scarf. Khimar is another popular type of veil that is long and cape-like. It hangs down further than other veils, generally just above the waist.
• Niqab: While the other Islamic veils do not cover the face, the niqab does. The niqab is a piece of cloth which is worn around the nose and tied at the back of the head, leaving the eyes exposed. While this is the general description, there are two types of niqabs from which either can be opted for based on preference. One is the half niqab which is a vertical piece of fabric tied with either elastic or ties. It typically leaves the eyes and part of the forehead visible. Another style is the full niqab, also known as the gulf style. It consists of an upper band that is tied around the forehead and paired with a long fabric piece which covers the face, leaving an opening for the eyes.
• Burqa/Burka: Considered to be an essential Muslim dress for women, this is a long enveloping garment that covers the face and the body. A burqa or burka consists of a cap underneath, a face veil (niqab), and a separate cloak that covers from shoulders to ankles (abaya). These three come in various colours and may or may not have embroideries. They can also have styles such as ruching or ruffles and can have a matching fabric belt to define the waist.
• Kaftan Dress: Also spelt as caftan, it is a long robe-like garment worn over the head. It does not have an opening in the front. It is a variation of a tunic. The kaftan is ankle-length and usually has long sleeves. In previous times, they were made of rich fabrics and were heavily embroidered since they were festive wear. In today’s times, they are made of more comfortable fabrics and minimal decorations to wear in humid climate.
• Burkini: Derived from joining the words burka and bikini, this Muslim women clothing is a swimsuit for those who wish to have modest clothes for swimming. The suit covers everything except the face, the hands, and the feet. But the advantage is that it is light enough to swim and do other water-related activities.

Colors and Accessories with Muslim Dresses and Head Coverings

Now that we know the kinds of Muslim clothing available, let us focus on ways to look them fabulous. Many people think that modest clothes are bland. But they do not know that choosing the right colors and add-ons can transform the Islamic dress instantly. In the below section, we will understand which colors are perfect for which occasion. In the later section, we will talk about accessories. Neutral colors such as white, black, old rose, navy blue and dark green are perfect for workdays and every day. Bright hues such as red, yellow, and magenta can be great for festivities.

Another way to spruce up the Muslim dress is accessorizing. One of the important things to remember is the occasion. At the workplace, you would want to look practical and professional. You would want to deck up very well at festive occasions with the finery glamming you up.

If you are comfortable, you can use belts to define your waist and get a sleek look. Fabric belts matching with Muslim dresses can give you a very coordinated look. An ornate or metallic belt is perfect when you want to add bling to your abaya or jilbab. You can experiment with earrings with sophisticated pearl studs, geometric statement earrings, chunky hoops and more.

To tie up your hijab, you can swap your boring pins for bejeweled ones and even magnetic hijab pins. You can also add a diamond or multi-colored stone brooch to your Muslim dress to make it go from drab to fab. Carry a stylish tote bag for a workday and a metallic clutch for an event. A pair of comfortable ballerina flats or strappy block heels are sure to make you look amazing.

Shop Muslim Clothing at Mirraw Online Store

The vast world of Muslim women clothing has many beautiful and practical options for Muslim women who wish to wear. From abayas online to hijabs online, there are many kinds of Islamic clothing available for online shopping. Mirraw is great for shopping online as it provides user-friendly filters and easy delivery. So, explore and shop Muslim dresses and head coverings at the Mirraw online store. Free shipping in India and fast shipping around international locations are available.