At one point in time, fashion was defined by leg-bearing mini skirts, and mid-riff-bearing crop tops so, now we ask: What's the industry's take on modest fashion, and what are the best dresses to achieve a modest look? Has society finally reached a point where less is more?
Modest fashion, also known as Hijabi fashion, refers to less skin-revealing silhouettes. Instead of opting for bodycon dresses and slip dresses, someone may choose to wear maxi silhouettes - but the degree of coverage is dependent on the individual. We saw Kim Kardashian attend the 2021 Met Gala in a black Balenciaga haute couture ensemble, covering every inch of her body - including her face - and Cardi B pose in front of the Eiffel Tower in a similarly conservative Richard Quinn look. owl shawl scarf
Halima Aden, the first Hijabi model on the cover of Vogue, has walked for everyone from Max Mara to Tommy Hilfiger, while other brands such as Uniqlo and Nike have since taken notice, selling headscarves and championing inclusivity while also catering to a highly lucrative market.
Hijabi influencers, particularly in the beauty sector, have dominated the narrative when it comes to modest fashion, breaking down negative stereotypes and paving the way for all women to unapologetically dress how they like. One such influencer is Hani Sidow (@hanihanss), also a columnist and author behind the make-up guide Insta-glam. We spoke to Sidow about her favourite places to shop for modest clothing, styling tips and what modest fashion means to her.
'When it comes to headscarves, my favourite place to shop is Voile Chic, they have the best materials - both chiffon and Jersey - and such a wide range of colours that are long-lasting and easy to style with everything. When it comes to modest clothing, I’ve recently loved shopping from small businesses I’ve found through Instagram and TikTok, for instance, Ayanah collections, Shop Empress and Amayah collections.'
'I always follow the three colours rule and make sure the colours complement each other. Nude and white hijab colours work well always with summer dresses with sleeves, but when it comes to a patterned dress, I’ll pick one colour from the dress and use that as my hijab colour, also, depending on the material of the dress I decide between jersey hijabs for more causal dresses and chiffon for the more glam stuff.'
'I love scrolling through TikTok for style inspiration, where there are so many amazing creators styling current and statement pieces. I always find that to be a great resource for style inspiration.'
'Dressing modestly for me is more than covering up, it’s how I carry myself, how I treat others and more importantly how I showcase my character and personality.'
The truth is, the industry still has a long way to go in making clothes suitable for Muslim women, or for women who simply desire to show less skin. Dresses with sleeves may seem modest, and most retailers sell them, however, they aren't specifically catered toward Muslim women. Nevertheless, we've done a deep dive into the best dresses and matching head scarves, because they do exist if you know where to look.
An emerald green dress is a gorgeous addition to any wardrobe.
AAPA'S, Khaki Fluid Crepe Hijab
An almost identical match to the Mango dress.
A blue dress is a perfect addition to any spring wardrobe, made with lustrous crinkled fabric,
Voile Chic, Instant Premium Jersey Hijab
Find the perfect match to the Gen Dress in Voile Chic's comfy jersey fabric hijab, pre-sewn to fit
Plisse material is perfect for warmer temperatures, and dresses made with this fabric always look
Finish your evening look with this textured rectangular headscarf that can be worn two ways.
Aab, Moonlight Garden Maxi Dress
This Aab Moonlight dress features tie waist detailing and beautiful embellishments on the sleeves.
Sliq Rose, Carbon Rough Cupro Chiffon Hijab
Pair the statement dress with this super comfy lavender headscarf.
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