Salaam everyone.
I just wanted to post really quickly to say that this blog is now officially closed and We Love Hijab will resume at the brand new http://welovehijab.com!
Please check out the site. There is only one post so far, but it's a good one and I'd love to have your feedback on it.
Most of the links beneath the header are still "Coming Soon", but inshallah, they'll be ready by the end of the week.
More fashion tomorrow at the new WELOVEHIJAB.COM!
xoxo Kima
Salam everyone!
I just wanted to let you all know that I'm getting ready to put up the new welovehijab.com site. It will take a few days to complete so starting tomorrow, you will notice that welovehijab.com doesn't lead to this blog anymore. You can still access older posts by using the following URL: http://preciousmodesty.blogspot.com and inshallah, by next Monday (March 31,2008), the new and improved welovehijab.com will be up and running!
The site could be up sooner than that, but I don't want you to keep checking everyday when there's nothing there. (I know your time is precious.) If you want, you can add your email address to my newsletter list and I'll let you know when the new site is up and ready to go. The newsletter sign up form is at the top of the sidebar (see the yellow text).
Ok, inshallah, I'll see you all next week!
xoxo Kima
Today's find is this cute little shrug at Speigel.com. Why do I like it?
1. The fabric. - It's a linen and viscose (fine rayon) blend which makes it lightweight and comfortable to wear all spring and summer long.
2. It has a twisted effect at the sleeve cuffs and hem which give it a unique flair.
3. The colors. - I love gray and pink, and this shrug is available in both colors.
This really is a perfect little layering piece and you can check out last week's Hijab Q and A to see an example of how I'd style it.
Shopping Details:
Twist Detail Shrug: Speigel, $89
This picture comes from a fashion show that was held in Malaysia in 2007. Although this picture is about a year old, the outfit that it showcases falls right in line with a fashion trend for Spring 2008, transparent clothing.
Why is this a Hijab Don't? One of the aspects of hijab (in terms of Muslim women's clothing in general), is that the clothes shouldn't show off the shape of your body. I think it's pretty obvious that we can see the shape of the model's legs here. A better option would be to wear an a-line skirt under the sheer dress and a long sleeve tee for arm coverage.
If you're looking for some affordable maxi dresses to layer with long-sleeve tops, jackets, and cardigans, check out the maxi tube dresses above. Both styles are available in a few different colors and they're all under $30 each.
Just a little fyi, the hawaiian print dress is done in a jersey fabric and so it will show all your curves (and lumps and bumps). If you still choose to buy it, you'll want to wear it over structured pants (like jeans) or wear it with a structured jacket that's long enough to conceal your curves.
Links:
Hawaiian Print Maxi Tube Dress, $29.50
Swirl Print Maxi Tube Dress, $25
I really like this look. In the pic, Gisele is wearing a glen plain bomber jacket, dark skinny jeans tucked into tall boots, and a matching bag. To make it modest, I choose a babydoll style trench jacket, wide leg jeans, and a cream-colored pashmina for the hijab. Tip: Tucking jeans into your boots is a "hijab don't" because it exposes the shape of your leg... so wear the jeans long - which is more chic anyway in my opinion.
Links:
Plaid Trench Coat: Karlie, $99
Wide Leg Jeans: ON, $16.49
River Bend Boot, Tribeca, $69.95
Patchwork Leather Murana Bag: Hype, $137.99
Pashmina Hijab: Peach Couture, $9.95
While putting together the latest Modesty On The Runway collage, I decided to try and find some hijab-ready citrusy clothes. I was so excited to find the dress above. Isn't it beautiful?
They're calling this dress a shift dress, but I don't think that's a good description because shift dresses are typically more formfitting and they're not appropriate for us hijab-wearing girls. This dress however, does flare at the bottom and so it's very modest and appropriate for us to wear.
Because I love it so much (although I don't love the $295 price tag), I created two different options for how to wear it. One is a more subtle look with gray slacks and a gray hijab. The other is a little more unexpected because it includes pinstriped pants and a floral hijab. Either way, you gotta love this dress!
Here are the links:
Satin Shift Dress: DKNY, $295
Floral Hijab: Gucci*, $??
Pinstripe Essential Trousers: ON, $26.50
Jewel Box Wide Leg Pant: Nine West, $42
T-Strap Pumps: Endless, $39.95 - FYI: free overnight shipping!
This trend really isn't about hijab or modesty because it's all about the colors. Grapefruit, lemon, lime - anything citrusy will do.
Sometimes, people are afraid to wear really bright colors because they don't know how to work them into their wardrobes. A good rule of thumb is that if the pieces are relatively small, you could do more than one in a bright color. For example, you could wear a bright hijab and a matching bag or shoe.
Alternatively, you could do one large citrusy piece and pair it with neutral colors. And I also love the idea of wearing a black abaya and popping it with a citrus colored hijab. What do you think?
Yay! More than one Hijab Approved™ sale! This one is for Silhouettes which sells a lot of very hijab friendly clothing in plus sizes.
One piece that I love is this very necessary Poplin Big Shirt.
Perfect for work with wide leg pants or even a skirt. And it comes in so many colors! I am not exactly plus-size but I think I'll be ordering the XL just to see how it fits.
A long time ago, we were talking about the fact that when I find something that is a really good hijab-friendly piece, I'll buy it in every color. This top is a great example of that because it's really affordable -under $30 or under $25 if you buy at least 2 - and it's so versatile. You can wear it with jeans, pants, skirts, even fancy dresses a la Sharon Stone.
Enjoy!
Ok, this sale at Chadwicks is crazy good...
You can check out this link for some of the things that I love at Chadwicks right now: HIJAB APPROVED : CHADWICK'S
Thanks to Riya and Ayesha for the tip! The video above is part 2 of the how to wear hijab feature on City Sisters called "Hijab Trials". If you missed part 1, you can check out this link: HIJAB : CITY SISTERS STYLE. Enjoy!
I will forever be a fan of beautiful long dresses and this season the focus is on vibrant colors and bold prints. The only thing missing on these gorgeous gowns is of course the upper-body coverage. But that's easily fixed with a cardigan, blazer, wrap sweater or shrug. What do you think?
This is the first installment of my coverage of spring fashion trends. What I love about these safari suits is that they are all about being covered up. In the looks featured above, you can see that the safari suit trend can be anything from playful to elegant to understated.
However you wear them, I'd suggest that you go for a longer jacket to provide the proper coverage and I'd also go for a wider leg pant than those featured on the models above. And don't forget about the accessories. A little animal print - maybe a leopard print hijab - can really tie it all together. What do you think?
Modern vs. Traditional. In terms of how these Muslim women are dressed, it would seem apparent that the younger sisters are more modern with their hijab than the older sister dressed in black. But, some might say that the idea that you must wear only black is not a traditional rule of hijab and that the one who wears all black is more modern (i.e. newer) than the ones who do not. Any thoughts?
I just got the new Chadwick's catalog in the mail and here are some of my Hijab Approved™ favorites:
Hollywood Glamour Dress, $39. I love all the juicy colors that this dress comes in. Wearing options include dress pants and a short blazer for a classic look OR jeans and a long-sleeve tee for a more eclectic style. I'd probably do a silky hijab with this one to compliment the fabric of the dress.
Wide-Leg Trouser, $29. These are essential to any hijab conscious wardrobe - especially if you're a working girl. Of course they're great with shirt-dresses and long tops, but you can also wear them under abayas for extra leg coverage... Please don't wear jeans with a nice abaya! - No offense.
Bell Sleeve Blazer, $59.99. You probably know this by now, but I just love these type of jackets with abayas. It's just a really modern way to accessorize Our Little Black Dress.
Safari Trench Coat, $59.99. Spring trends always include safari style, but unfortunately, a lot of the safari-inspired pieces are too short or too tight for Muslim women to wear. This trench coat is a perfect alternative to the not-so-hijab-approved styles.
Remember how a few months ago we were trying to find these striped pashmina hijabs online? Well consider them found! I think these scarves are so pretty and they're about $12.
//Click here to shop for them.
Thanks to Erica for this tip! How fabulous is it that this look was featured in one of the finale collections on Project Runway? The only things that I'd change are: I'd lose the belt because accentuating the waist like that is a Hijab Don't. Then, I'd replace the belt with a red clutch and add a nice wide leg pant... What do you think?
“Our lingering problem, however, was the difference in how religious we each were; he hadn’t planned on marrying someone who wore the traditional head scarf, my hijab. His ideal woman was less strict, more secular. He wasn’t comfortable with people who wore their belief on their sleeves, or in my case, on my head...
To me, the scarf is more than a piece of fabric — it’s a way of life. Winter sales become summer fashions, providing the long, loose and layered look we can’t find in warmer months. Drab department store dressing rooms turn into prayer sanctuaries. Friday nights are for movies and restaurants, not drinking and going clubbing. On my wedding night, going topless would mean unpinning my scarf and letting it fall down.
In order to get him over his hesitation, I planned our dates to take place in very public places. We played miniature golf, ate out at restaurants and went blueberry picking. I looked at his objection as a challenge, a project. I wanted to convince him that even though I did stand out with my hijab, it didn’t matter because no one really took notice of the scarf after the first glance.
And I had my own doubts, though I was afraid to admit them: namely, why should I push forward with this when we weren’t aligned in terms of our faith? How could we be a good match if he didn’t approve of my hijab? Would I have to change? Should I?.....”
//Click to read the full article.
This picture is just wrong on so many levels! The hijab itself is fashioned out of a cashmere sweater... And I'm not even going to get into the makeup and accessories. Something like this would be interesting for a women's-only fashion show, but it's way too much for anything else. Any thoughts?
I came across this site called Hijab Planet which sells 100% silk Tesettur-style hijabs. They are so pretty and I know a lot of you were looking for them, so inshallah Hijab Planet will be a nice resource for you. Click here to visit the site.
Many -if not all- of the styles are from a company called Armine. You can check out their website by clicking here.
Asalamualaykum ladies!
Did you catch Muslimah Dilemma? I was so excited to be on but I was nervous because I'm not much of a public speaker (which was probably evident... lol). Mashallah, all of the sisters involved were really nice and it was a great experience.
So what did you think of the show?
♥Kima
I'm so excited because inshallah, I will be one of the guests on today's Muslimah Dilemma show! You can watch it at IslamChannel.tv today (Sunday, March 2) at 2p.m. eastern standard time. Please check it out!
Also, the new version of www.welovehijab.com should be available later on this week, inshallah. And at that time you will be able to purchase a copy of We Love Hijab - the only digital fashion magazine for Muslim women!
More fashion tomorrow!
Salam,♥Kima
I just got an email from Lane Bryant letting me know about some of their new spring styles. I think these shirtdresses are lovely and easy to wear with anything from wide leg pants and a cardigan, to jeans and a crisp blazer... Of course a nice hijab is in order to cover up the "girls".
Here is the link to the sale that I promised you:
Save 20% sitewide at Lane Bryant on our new spring arrivals.Use promo code 000209786. Exclusions apply. Valid 28-Feb-08 through 6-Mar-08.
Today, I'm really interested in these pretty maxi dresses from Mango. Throw on a lightweight blazer and you're good to go!
//Click here for more info.
I found these cute little hoodies about 2 months ago, but the link to them got lost in my hundreds of favorites. Luckily, they're still available. It's just too bad that the $200+ price tag hasn't budged. I guess I'll be on the lookout for alternatives.
//Check them out at Tobi.
Q: I'm not really tall but I'm having a hard time finding long skirts. Help?
A: I have never ordered from Yoox, but they have a really nice variety of long skirts. Regular prices range from $50 to upwards of $350 so I'm sure you can find something to match your style and budget. Hope this helps!
Purple and Paisley are two of my favorite things, so this cashmere hijab is perfect for me. This style is actually pretty big in terms of size, so I think it would work best with an abaya. Wearing it over a jacket or even a shirt and pants might be a little bulky.
//Visit this link for more info.
For some reason, I'm not really into those little arm sleeves that you can get at Islamic clothing stores. Maybe they just remind me of stockings too much. Today I found a stylish alternative in these fingerless long gloves that would make for great arm coverage. Imagine wearing a pair with a cropped jacket, long skirt, and boots. Would you wear it?
//Visit GlovedUp.com for more.
I just learned about this show on Islam Channel called City Sisters and I am so upset that I missed the entire first season of the show! I'm hoping for reruns to start coming on.
In the meantime, I did find this How To Wear Hijab clip from one of the City Sisters shows. Check it out:
This is such a simple outfit, but I think it's really chic. You have an abaya, a lovely silk hijab, and classic patent pumps. I'd wear this one to work or anywhere!
Links:
Black Chiffon Scarf: Wrapables, $24.95
Similar Abaya: IB, $30
Patent Leather Pumps: Gucci, $495
On yesterday's "Muslimah Dilemma" show, the topic was about this new policy in England which states that medical professionals must roll their sleeves up to their elbows while working with patients. The new policy is being dubbed "Bare Below The Elbows" and the supposed purpose of this policy is to "stop the spread of deadly superbugs [germs]."
When the show first started, I thought to myself that at least this policy wasn't enacted just to make things hard for Muslim women. But the huge impact that it is having on us, is undeniable.
Our hijabi sisters who choose Islam over the new policy are having a hard time. They are being suspended from their jobs. They are being forced out of medical school. And what's more is that the media is now spreading this ridiculous notion that Muslims - who wash their arms at least 5 times a day for wudhu - are not hygienic! (See the article: "Female Muslim Medics 'Disobey Hygiene Rules'" for more on that ridiculousness.)
One of the sisters on the show was an ultrasound technician who was actually suspended from work for several weeks because she would not roll up her sleeves. While she was out of work, she was able to compile evidence that proves that covering the arms is better than exposing them when it comes to stopping the spread of germs. Alhamdulillah, she was able to get her job back AND keep her sleeves down.
It is evident that this new "Bare Below The Elbows" policy was enacted so that hospitals can seem to be more clean in the eyes of the public. Yes, that's right! It's about perception and there is no actual data that proves that rolling up your sleeves stops the spread of germs.
The other guests on Muslimah Dilemma implored Muslimahs in the medical field to stick to Islamic guidelines without compromising. I agree that that's what they should do because in every situation, pleasing Allah is better than complying with meritless policies.
Pray, educate yourself so that you can tactfully stand up for your rights, and be patient. This too shall pass, inshallah.
(image source)
Salam lovelies!
If any of you are (or know of) a graphic artist/designer. Please contact me because I need a few icons created. What I need are like 7-10 Myspace icons created and I need them done really soon, so please get back to me if you know anyone.
Thanks so much! More fashion later, inshallah.
♥Kima
The fashions coming up for Spring are going to be filled with citrusy colors like yellow, orange, and lime. The look below features a celeb wearing a lemony yellow cardigan with a graphic white tee, skinny pants and chunky striped wedges.
This look is a great example of how to add color to your wardrobe. Black and white is always a chic color combo, but when you add a pop of color with a bright hijab or another accessory, you'll get a look that has an extra hint of style to it.
Check out my Hijab Makeover below: (And by the way, I'd wear a black scarf with this one).
Now, you'll notice that my outfit is a little more refined than the original, but that's for a few reasons.
1. I had to replace the casual skinny pants with wide leg pants that are less casual by nature.
2. For modesty's sake, I replaced the fitted graphic tee with an airy sleeveless dress.
3. I couldn't find the striped wedges and even if I could, I know that I would probably never wear them. So, I chose a cute little zebra print pair.
Here are the links:
Embroidered Babydoll Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch, $79.50
Summerweight Cashmere Cardigan: J. Crew, $158
Zebra Printed Peep-toe Mary janes: J. Crew, $199.99
Pants: HM, $??
You may have noticed the new URL for this blog. Don't worry, you can still access the blog by typing preciousmodesty.blogspot.com OR you can use the new URL which is www.welovehijab.com.
I'll explain more about why I changed it later, but this is just a little FYI. :o)
♥Kima
Yesterday's Oprah show was all about shlumpadinkas. According to Oprah, a shlumpadinka is "a woman who dresses like she has completely given up…and it shows." She runs around outside in her pajamas and wears her husband's sweats on a regular basis.
On the show, she had celebrity stylist Lloyd Boston doing all the makeovers. A lot of the outfits were very modest and I really liked most of them. So over the next few days, I'm going to hijabify some of the looks that Lloyd Boston put together.
Makeover #1:
Image by: Oprah.com
Here's my version:
Asalamualaykum ladies!
I hope everyone's doing well. :o)
It's been a really busy week for me. Some good things have happened and some not-so-good things have happened. But, Allah knows best so I'm taking it all in stride.
First the not-so-good news. So, back in December, I hired a company to revamp hermodesty.com to allow for readers to log in and view the magazine (we all know it's an online mag by now right?). I was told that the job would take 2 weeks. Well, it's now the end of February and they told me that about 50% of the work was done.
Moving on, I found a new company and inshallah, the site will be done by March 5th. I'm really sorry to keep you all waiting so long for the magazine. I hope you will still support it when it comes out because it will still be Winter when the issue is uploaded to the new site inshallah. :o)
I also have a poll for you guys. I've been wondering about how people spell certain words. You know how our words are Arabic and so when you write them in English, it's just a transliteration and so there are many different ways of how people spell Arabic words in English. So, how do you spell the word "hijab"?
I'm definitely not a celeb-driven type of girl. But, I do find style inspiration in some of the things that they wear.
My first modest clothing makeover featured Tyra Banks. This time, we're looking at Rihanna.
Why do I love this look? I'm a firm believer in the idea that clothes don't have to match, they just have to "go". So, although Rihanna's jeans, top, and hand bag aren't an obvious match, they make for a really stylish outfit when put together.
Here is the modest version of her look:
Here is a little video that I made yesterday... It took me ALL DAY to make it. I hope you like it!
I realize that some of the fonts don't show properly... But, hey, I never said I was a graphic artist. :o)
And over the jeans, it says: "Not all jeans are no-no's... Just the really tight ones!"
