MODESTLY FASHIONABLE

How times have changed

There was nothing as dreadful as going shopping as a kid. Knowing my mom would spend hours in stores just to find me the right fits and me having to try them on, ugh tiring. Apart from the exhausted strolls ‘store-in, store-out’, I sometimes had to end up wearing something I didn’t like at all. Yes, I was pretty aware of my own liking at a young age. However, growing up, going through my teens and looking back at certain photographs, it wouldn’t have been all too bad if my mom actually dressed me as a teen too. Alas, I have to own my choices through time, the good and the well let’s-not-ever-bring-those-memories-up-again ones. I’m pretty thankful that my personality overal never regrets a choice but merely takes it as a valuable lesson or path of growth in life.

No matter how much I hated sitting on the chairs in the dressing rooms in stores as a kid, out of boredom and long hours, the joy of shopping grew a bit over time. Don’t get me wrong, even though I have a walking closet now, I never became the Carry Bradshaw type of woman. There is no obsession over shoes, sneakers, dresses, coats, accessories and whatsoever. Though, I must admit, I do love myself unlimited jeans jackets, a cute little bag, sandal heels, jewellery and kaftans!

If I would have to define my style, I’d say it depends on my mood really. Usually I’d go for a comfortable street look. Since I don’t always know what the 24hrs ahead of me will bring, I’d like to be prepared for any situation. Yet, you don’t have to tell me to play dress up for an occasion as chances are I might have beat you to it.

يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسٗا يُوَٰرِي سَوۡءَٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيشٗاۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَخَيۡرٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ

Children of Adam, We have given you garments to cover your nakedness and as adornment for you; the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all garments — this is one of God’s signs, so that people may take heed. 7:26

unless I’m convinced they are almost baby size…

Though my name is not Carry, lately I seem to be having more trouble in finding the right fits. Being more conscious of what I’m wearing and how I’m dressing thanks to my Imaan, I’ve been making some slight changes in my dressing. Going through these changes, I’ve been wondering if brands are aware of the concept of modest fashion? Having studied at Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design in London, I have an idea of how brands and fashion houses set up their seasonal collections, but it disturbs me how little the concept of quality modest fashion is taken in account. It’s as if an entire concept is being ignored. I see less fabric on shirts and dresses whereas I would love to see more.

What I find really difficult, and I’m sure I can’t be the only one, is where to purchase a quality dress with sleeves, no splits please! And where can I find all those comfy oversized shirts to wear over my stretch pants with a blazer? Preferably with no prints if not in the men’s department? Keeping in mind I generally have to visit a sewer after a purchase of pants or skirts, as I probably have the smallest waist out there, shopping is 10 times more difficult. Nowadays, I no longer look for pants, or skirts unless I’m convinced they are almost baby size… So I generally prefer dresses or stretched pants with a nice shirt on top.

وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّامَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَاۖ وَلۡيَضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّۖ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآئِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِيٓإِخۡوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِيٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيۡرِ أُوْلِيٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۖ وَلَا يَضۡرِبۡنَبِأَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعۡلَمَ مَا يُخۡفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّۚ وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And tell believing women that they should lower their eyes, guard their private parts, and not display their charms beyond what [it is acceptable] to reveal; they should draw their coverings over their necklines and not reveal their charms except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their womenfolk, their slaves, such men as attend them who have no desire, or children who are not yet aware of women’s nakedness; they should not stamp their feet so as to draw attention to any hidden charms. Believers, all of you, turn to God so that you may prosper. 24:31

…An almost 100% cotton lifestyle, and I understand why

I’ve come across some online stores which only focus on modest fashion, such as Modanisa, yet in my case it would actually be nice to try on a fit prior purchase. In addition, it’s important to have the right types of fabric too. My sister and brother-in-law swear by an almost 100% cotton lifestyle, and I understand why. The fabric is ideal in any season!

The most important question on my mind remains unanswered: ‘where can a person purchase in-store modestly fashionable clothes’? Shopping these days has become as dreadful as my childhood years, because half of the time the items simple don’t fit and the other half of the time, well they’re designed for a generation I’m still trying to figure out.

Do you know where the hidden gems are located?

Unfortunately, I’m not a designer, but luckily other people are. It’s just a matter of time to find the right kind of shops with the quality clothes a simple muslim woman would love to wear. I’m sure the hidden gems are out there and some of you already know these stores. For those kind hearted ladies out there, if you know more, please share your secrets with the 30 SHAY’ readers and myself. We’ll be forever grateful.