Islamic Fashion for Ladies

       The link between Islam and fashion is a tumultuous line of inquiry and may not be rewarding enough to pursue. After all, the two concepts seem to be at opposite ends of human actuality. In Islam, both men and women must dress modestly. The relationship between Islamic modesty and fashion arose from the need of the modern Muslim to accede to societal and cultural norms while still adhering to the principles of Islam.

       ‘Fashion’, according to the Cambridge dictionary, is “style that is popular at a particular time, especially in clothes, hair and make-up”. Today, mainstream fashion is heavily influenced by secular trends that are conflicting to modesty and Islam. What a celebrity wears on a day out, for example, can influence fashion trends. Socio-cultural movements (like punk or rock), socio-economic factors (the financial capacity of an individual, for example) and technological advancements can also have a bearing on what a person wears. Today, the relationship between Islam and fashion is onerous and multifaceted, often influenced by cultural, historical, political and social factors. This correlation between Islam and fashion gives rise to the notion of “modest fashion”.

       Islam does not decree a specific type of clothing (e.g. turbans, button-down shirts or skirts) to be worn by its followers. There are, however, broad guidelines set in the Quran to help govern what a Muslim wears out or in front of members of the opposite sex. Women must wear garments that cover their entire body except for their faces and hands when they go out.

     Taking this into consideration, different hijab styles and the wearing of extra layers of clothing or have emerged from the need and desire for modern Muslim women to express herself while still maintaining an Islamic sense of identity. The layers of clothing, like a long wool cardigan or an asymmetrical jacket insert an element of fun into their attire. Different hijab styles, too, express the creativity a Muslim woman has with regards to what she is wearing. Even without the extra layers, fashionable long-sleeved tops or bottoms allow for personal expression and identity.

       With the rise of ‘modest fashion’, the modern Muslim woman manages to blend in and coalesce with the rest of secular society. Upon venturing to be fashionable while staying modest, she attempts to play with loose-fitting silhouettes that still flatter the body. A-line skirts, palazzos and maxi dresses can be both modest and flattering. Apart from that, she can also play around with accessories such as brooches, pins and clips that will enhance her natural beauty while still covering up.

       While certain parts of the Muslim world frown upon the usage of loud and bold colours in a Muslim woman’s attire, this differs across the cultures and regions. In Southeast Asia, for example, bold colours and patterns on a Muslim woman’s garb is considered normal. Perhaps this is untrue for countries in the Middle East, where a dark-coloured abaya is the norm. However, local traditions in Africa or Southeast Asia, historical practices in India and China as well as the political and social climate in North America and Europe provides a leeway for the modern Muslim woman to wear something ‘courageous’, while still covering up.

       Over the recent decades, there has been a growing global market for modest Islamic fashion catering to Muslim consumers who seek to be stylish yet modest. This includes a wide range of products such as hijabs, abayas, modest dresses and accessories that accede with Islamic principles while being fashionable and trendy. A word of caution for the modest fashion enthusiast, however, is that the intersection of Islam and fashion can also spark debates and controversies, particularly regarding the interpretation of modesty and cultural appropriation.