VISIT THE NEW WELOVEHIJAB.COM!

NEW SITE IS UP!

2008-04-01T09:54:00.007-05:00

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

UPDATES: NEW SITE COMING SOON

2008-03-24T13:00:00.007-05:00

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

FIND DU JOUR

2008-03-19T07:07:00.004-05:00

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

HIJAB DON'T : TRANSPARENCY

2008-03-19T06:45:00.005-05:00

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.

HIJAB FINDS : MAXI DRESSES

2008-03-18T10:52:00.004-05:00

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

MODESTY MAKEOVER : GISELE BÜNDCHEN

2008-03-18T10:03:00.007-05:00

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

ISLAMIC CLOTHING COLLAGE : ORANGE SHIFT DRESS

2008-03-17T07:59:00.008-05:00

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!

MODESTY ON THE RUNWAY : CITRUS COLORS

2008-03-17T07:35:00.005-05:00

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?

(collage created using images from style)

HIJAB APPROVED : SUNDAY SALES

2008-03-16T06:09:00.011-05:00

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!

HIJAB APPROVED : SUNDAY SALES

2008-03-16T05:53:00.003-05:00

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

HIJAB : CITY SISTERS STYLE

2008-03-15T13:13:00.005-05:00

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!

HIJAB? : A VIDEO BY ABALEESO

2008-03-15T12:48:00.003-05:00

What do you all think about this?

HIJAB Q AND A : FORMAL WEAR

2008-03-14T07:29:00.010-05:00

A few readers have been writing in asking about what you can wear for occasions like weddings and proms. And the look above is my answer.

This look will work for practically any dressy occasion that you have to go to. It features a beautiful full gown, a wrap-sweater (left open for coverage) and matching accessories. The pieces that I used for this collage are actually pretty expensive because they are all designer pieces, but with a little digging, you can find similar styles at any price range. What do you think?

MODESTY ON THE RUNWAY : COLORFUL DRESSES

2008-03-13T12:58:00.007-05:00

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?

(collage created using images from style)

MODESTY ON THE RUNWAY : SAFARI SUITS

2008-03-12T09:10:00.011-05:00

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?

(collage created using images from style)

HIJAB FLICKS

2008-03-12T02:44:00.002-05:00

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?

HIJAB FLICKS

2008-03-08T01:19:00.002-05:00

If a picture can speak a thousand words, what story does this one tell?

HIJAB APPROVED : CHADWICK'S

2008-03-07T09:01:00.009-05:00

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.

HIJAB DU JOUR

2008-03-06T08:43:00.004-05:00

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.

PROJECT HIJAB

2008-03-06T07:56:00.009-05:00

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?

HIJAB AND MARRIAGE

2008-03-05T10:33:00.010-05:00

“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.

HIJAB DON'T

2008-03-04T09:35:00.005-05:00

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?

HIJAB DU JOUR

2008-03-04T06:31:00.007-05:00

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.

THE SHOW

2008-03-04T06:16:00.004-05:00

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

WE LOVE HIJAB : UPDATES

2008-03-01T09:35:00.014-05:00

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

SALE ALERT

2008-02-28T15:49:00.010-05:00

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.

MAXI DRESSES

2008-02-28T06:00:00.009-05:00

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.

STRANGE HIJAB

2008-02-28T05:39:00.007-05:00

I know. I know. "That's not hijab!"
But aren't these strange? And maybe a little scary even?
Anything in the name of fashion I guess.(image source)

HIJAB : SPORTY STYLE

2008-02-28T00:18:00.004-05:00

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.

HIJAB Q&A

2008-02-27T10:10:00.005-05:00

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!

HIJAB DU JOUR

2008-02-27T09:43:00.007-05:00

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.

GLOVED UP HIJABI

2008-02-27T08:59:00.013-05:00

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.

HIJAB : CITY SISTERS STYLE

2008-02-26T14:51:00.005-05:00

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:

MUSLIMAH FLICKS

2008-02-25T13:23:00.010-05:00

If you had to write a caption for this image, what would it say?

(image source)

HIJAB FOR WORK

2008-02-25T11:31:00.008-05:00

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

MUSLIMAH DILEMMA

2008-02-25T10:03:00.008-05:00

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)

HELP WANTED

2008-02-24T02:32:00.008-05:00

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

MODESTY MAKEOVER

2008-02-22T12:37:00.013-05:00

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, $??

WE LOVE HIJAB

2008-02-21T19:27:00.007-05:00

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

OPRAH'S SHLUMPADINKA SHOW

2008-02-21T16:30:00.009-05:00

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:

For my version, I used a modern trench from Delia's and then finished off the look with a white hijab and gold bangles. To shop for anything in the picture, click the links below:

Red Trench: Delia's, $54.50

Black Wide-Leg Jeans: Kenneth Cole, $39.50

Textured Gold-tone Bangles: Old Navy, $9.50

Tote Bag: Mossimo, $24.99

Leopard Print Flat: Nine West, $20.69

UPDATES

2008-02-21T16:06:00.010-05:00

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"?

IRAN'S HIJAB POLICE

2008-02-16T16:43:00.007-05:00

Wow! What do you ladies think about The Hijab Police?

{Inspired Style}

2008-02-16T14:49:00.006-05:00

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:

Click on an item in the picture to shop for it.

{Islamic Clothing}

2008-02-14T06:13:00.006-05:00

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!"

{It's Raining Cherries}

2008-02-11T01:34:00.000-05:00

Click on an item in the picture to shop for it.

{Turkey Lifts University Headscarf Ban}

2008-02-09T20:21:00.000-05:00

Alhamdulillah! There is no more ban on wearing a headscarf to school in Turkey!

Click here to read the full article.

{One Muslim Woman Show}

2008-02-09T12:32:00.000-05:00

Magazine Updates
So the magazine is still in production, sorry. :o) I'm working on so much right now and mashallah, I don't feel any pressure to get the mag out asap... I'll be happy as long as it's still cold outside when it comes out!

Please be patient with me... The photo-shoots are done and now it's all about putting it all together in a manner that's beautiful and interesting.

Oh, would any of you like to submit a photo and a quote for the magazine? Email me or post a comment for details (please include your email address in your comment so that I can reply to you privately... and don't worry, I won't post your email address on the blog).

Other News
I'm working on a free website for Muslim women and I'm looking for "articles" for it. Is there something that you're passionate about or that you would like to write about? -- Fashion, hijab, muslim women in general, islam in general, halal food -- anything?

I'm still figuring out the compensation aspect of it all (if and how much)... Feel free to make suggestions and if your interested, please email me for details.

What else?
I think that's all for now. Maybe I should start doing these end-of-the-week updates more often. :o) They're fun!! LOL.

As always, I thank you all so much for your comments and for supporting Her Modesty.

♥Kima
Email address: preciousmodesty (at) yahoo.com

{Casually Cute}

2008-02-09T03:56:00.000-05:00

Click on an item in the picture to shop for it.

{Feeling Regal}

2008-02-07T13:50:00.000-05:00

hijab: bajra. dress: Nina Ricci.
pants: H&M. ring: blair.com.
pumps: a. mcqueen.

{Pretty Pictures}

2008-02-07T13:19:00.001-05:00

If this is your photo, I'll remove it by request. :o)

{Covered Seduction}

2008-02-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

I think that we all agree that Muslim women can wear pretty much whatever we want as long as it covers the appropriate body parts. But, I also think that modesty is more than just what you wear -- It's also about how you carry yourself.

I started thinking about this because lately, I've been seeing a lot of pictures of Muslim women in niqab who have heavy eyeliner and makeup on. In addition to the makeup, a lot of the Muslim women in the pictures are deliberately being seductive in how they "pose" their eyes.

To me, that just defeats the purpose of hijab. If you're trying to be modest so that you are hiding your beauty, why put on a seducing, "Stare Into My Eyes" face? (ANTM fans know that "smile with your eyes" thing.)

And then there are the pictures of Muslim women with their bodies posed in a sexy way. Take a look at the picture below and tell me what you think about all of this.

{Hijab Q&A}

2008-01-31T11:42:00.000-05:00

Q: Do you know where I can buy the tesettur scarves that you wrote about in the Muslim newspaper? I'm in the US.

A: You're basically just looking for some pretty silk scarves. A company called SilkCharm has a lot of nice styles. You can find them by doing a search for "silk square scarf" when you get to the website. Their scarves come in a few different shapes and sizes, so be sure to check the measurements before you buy one.

Here are a few of the prints that I like:

(Click on the pictures for more information.)

{Window Shopping}

2008-01-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

A few things that I love right now at ShopBop:

Rachel Pally Mini Swing Dress, $58.20
They call it a Swing Dress. I call it an Almost Perfect T-shirt.

Sass & Bide Hulsey Glides High Waisted Wide Leg Jean, $150
A good pair of jeans to dress up or down.

Geren Ford Henley Dress, $102.90
One girl's mini dress is a modest girl's tunic. Nice with dark brown trousers.

Raven Tropical Tonal Stripe High Waisted Pant, $63.60
These would be great for work.

Rachel Pally Metallic Print Seamed Swing Dress, $61.50
Another pretty swing dress to wear with pants.

{Sunsilk Hijabi}

2008-01-29T10:24:00.000-05:00

I love seeing Muslimahs doing unconventional (yet halal) things. So, when I saw this magazine ad for Sunsilk shampoo on CaribMuslimah's blog, I had to find out more about it.

I ended up finding this Malaysian TV commercial:

I love this commercial because I've never seen anything like it before. But I do have a few points:

1. Don't you love how they used the shampoo lather as her hijab in one of the shots? (lol...)

2. Is Sunsilk trying to imply that washing your hair gives you the confidence to flirt with boys? (Hmmmm...)

3. While I love the abundance of hijab in the commercial, I'm not feeling the lack of "gaze lowering". (tsk, tsk, tsk...)

What do you ladies think about it?

{Wear to Work}

2008-01-27T17:14:00.000-05:00

If I had a 9 to 5, this is something that I might wear to work on Monday...

{The Price You Pay}

2008-01-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that whenever I post a garment that's over a certain amount of money, I get comments and emails talking about how the garment is "too expensive". I used to think that everything should cost around 20 bucks or so and that anything higher than that was ridiculous. But then I started researching the garment industry in preparation for my own clothing line.

What I found was that sometimes a designer has to pay around $20 just to get the garment made. Of course to make a profit, you have to sell it at a higher price to your customer. I guess the moral of the story is that behind every denim skirt, there are fabric, thread, labels, and zippers to be purchased... And there are more than a few people (sometimes kids) working to put that skirt together.

If you're interested, you can check out the video below to see what happens when a clothing company is only concerned about the price you pay and not the price that is paid to the people who make what you wear.

{Denim Skirt by Request}

2008-01-24T12:54:00.000-05:00

Riya wrote in asking if I could find a casual denim skirt that was a little different from the norm. So, I did a little digging and came across this pleated style at SoftSurroundings. It's $68 which is pretty reasonable and the Tall version is 39" long... Hope you like it Riya!

{Free Abayas!}

2008-01-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

I've never seen an Islamic clothing store run a BOGO sale like this. Just about everything at Sajeda -- from abayas & tunics to hijabs & accessories -- is Buy One Get One Free!

Click here to check out their huge selection of items...

Here are a few of the styles that I like:

If you want to tell another Muslimah about this sale, click here to forward this post to her!

{Muslims In America Contest}

2008-01-15T03:22:00.001-05:00

One Nation is running a contest wherein American Muslims submit short films for a chance to win $5,000. The voting period ends tonight, so if you're interested in seeing all of the films, be sure to visit the site and vote for your favorites. Here are some of the ones that feature a hijab theme:

Durrah and Amasa
by Fatima Ashaela Ibrahim

This film features two animated Muslimahs talking about hijab. It's an adorable little film and I hope to see more from this sister.

America's Next Top Muslim Model
by Safiyyah

You guessed it! This film is about a modeling competition... The filmmaker states that "This film breaks the stereotype of Muslim women being weak and oppressed." In all honesty, it's not that profound at all, but it's still amusing to watch. (Albeit immodest. Check out the poses!)

The Look
by Mahin Ibrahim

This film is about a young Muslimah who decides to wear hijab on the day that she gets interviewed for a coveted job. I think that there are a lot of Muslim women out there who don't wear hijab because they fear that they'll miss out on some career opportunities. My message to them is that nothing can hold you back from what Allah intends for you. So, wear your hijab and go for yours! :o)

Ms. Judgments
by Wajahat Ali

I think this film is a kitsch little reminder to Muslimahs that we shouldn't be so judgmental of each other's appearance.

Visit this link for more videos about hijab and as always comment with your thoughts.

{Denim Shirtdress}

2008-01-14T19:31:00.000-05:00

For some reason, Islamic clothing designers always seem to get it wrong when it comes to denim abayas and jilbabs. Either the color is off or there's too much going on in terms of embroidery and other embellishments.

This shirtdress is an example of something that I'd love to see as an abaya. It has a really clean style to it (no funky embroideries or anything) and because of the dark color, I think it would make a really modern and stylish abaya.

Until someone designs one, I guess I'll just have to stick with this shirtdress. And here are two ways that I'd style it:

{Striped Pashminas}

2008-01-14T19:16:00.000-05:00

I love these colorful striped pashminas. It's funny but I never really wore pashminas until last year when I found a lot of pretty colors of them at Target. They didn't have any striped pashminas like the ones in the picture, but you can check out this link for similar styles.

The striped pashminas at the Hijab Store Online are not as colorful as these, so if you have any links to more colorful ones, please post them in the comments.

{New Islamic Clothing Line}

2008-01-10T08:11:00.001-05:00

I just received an email from The Hijab Shop about their new collection of Islamic clothing called Afifah. The line consists of colorful tops, screen-printed skirts, and a few pairs of pants for good measure. Visit the Afifah section to see the rest of the line.

{Pretty Pictures}

2008-01-07T02:21:00.000-05:00

Love her hijabi-biker style!

{Islamic Clothing Q & A}

2008-01-04T10:50:00.000-05:00

Q: I can never choose the right colors to wear with busy prints. Is there any easy way to figure it out?

A: The easiest thing to do with prints is to choose 2 or 3 colors from the print to complete your outfit. Use the most neutral color for the main pieces. Then, use one or two of the brighter colors for the accessories. Here, the brown is the most neutral color, so I chose a brown pant. You could also use the brown again for the hijab. Add green shoes that match the tone of the dress and a white bag to round out the look.

{Old Navy's Cinch-Waist Shirt}

2008-01-03T23:09:00.000-05:00

Right now, Old Navy is selling a really great shirt style for Muslimahs. It's a long, button-front shirt with a cinched-in waist. Now, I know the word "cinched" doesn't usually equal modesty, but the belt can be completely loosened so that there is no cinching at all. The picture on the left, is not the exact shirt that I'm referring to, but I wanted to show you what the cinched-waist looks like.

For some reason, you can't buy the shirts online right now, but I strongly suggest that you head to your local Old Navy store to snatch up a few of these tops before they're gone. They come in 4 or 5 colors and cost about $30... Enjoy!

NOTE: By the way, in case any of you were confused about my "Do You Call It Dating?" post, please scroll down to read the message that I added to the post.

♥Kima

{In The Pink}

2007-12-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

coat: michael kors. jeans: acne. shoes: miu miu. bracelets: juicy couture. bags: bottega veneta.

{Skirt for Work}

2007-12-25T17:22:00.000-05:00

scarf: muslimbase. blazer: gianna's closet. tunic: old navy. skirt: tall and all. bracelet: ylang 23. bag: michael kors. pumps: vanity.

{Do You Call It Dating?}

2007-12-25T16:17:00.000-05:00

This isn't related to fashion but it does fit into the scope of Her Modesty Magazine...

Growing up we used the word "courting" for dating and "intended" for fiancé. I'm not sure if these words are universal in the Islamic-American world... So If you don't call it "dating", what do you call it? And if you wouldn't call him your fiancé, what would you call him?

***Just a quick note: It's apparent that some of you think that in the above post, I was implying that Muslims are allowed to date in the sense that we can have boyfriends/girlfriends and all of that. But that's definitely not what I was saying at all. The question that I was trying to ask is that during the time period that you're getting to know a brother for the purpose of marriage, what do you call that period? I'm sure that most of you don't use the word "dating", so I was curious to know what word you use. In the same vein, I wanted to know what some of you call the man that you are planning to marry? Do you call him "The Brother That I'm Planning To Marry" or do you simply call him your "Fiancé"? I know some sisters who use that word and other's who do not. I'm sure that we all know that "dating" in the typical sense of the word is un-Islamic and that being alone with a man who is not your husband is forbidden. But the scope of this question isn't about any of that, so I'm sorry if it confused any of you... :)

{Pretty Pictures}

2007-12-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

These are so lovely!

{Are You Modest No Matter What?}

2007-12-22T15:35:00.000-05:00

If you wear hijab, you've probably been asked at some point: "Why do you wear that thing on your head?" The easy, short answer is that you do it for religious reasons, but what if you didn't have to dress modestly? Would you still dress the way that you do?

Me? I think that I would because I can't imagine going outside in a tank top & shorts, a mini-skirt, or a bikini! Maybe I'm biased from dressing this way all of my life, but what about you?

{So Sophisticated}

2007-12-19T10:46:00.000-05:00

shirtdress: jcrew. pants: elie tahari. scarf: star scarves. boots: christian louboutin. bangles: mickey.

{Eid Elegance}

2007-12-18T11:52:00.000-05:00

dress, clutch, pants: net-a-porter. scarf: the canadian muslim. bangles: french connection. shoes: roberto cavalli

{Muslim Fashion Don't}

2007-12-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

I love the color combo on this one, but I think it's pretty clear why this outfit is a Muslim Fashion Don't.

{Islamic Fashion Festival 2006}

2007-12-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

Don't you want to go next year?

{Easy Weekend Dressing}

2007-12-15T05:29:00.000-05:00

shirtdress: fashion addicts. jeans: old navy. bag: cl by laundry. watch: payless. flats: maloles.

{Pretty Pictures}

2007-12-14T10:17:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to figure out the source of these photos for a while and I finally figured it out! They are from a magazine called Bon Magazine. Unfortunately, it's not a Muslim fashion magazine... I guess they just ran an article on Islamic fashion or hijab styles. Not so excited about all the skin in the 3rd pic but aren't the scarves lovely though?

{Dhul-Hijjah 1, 1428}

2007-12-11T08:26:00.000-05:00

Asalamualaykum my lovely readers!

You may have seen this floating around the web lately, but I wanted to post it here as well in case you haven't seen it. Today is the first day of Dhul-Hijjah and I hope you all will click here for information about the virtues of these blessed 10 days.

These are the best 10 days of the Islamic calendar and there is great benefit for acts of worship during this time even for those of us who are not making Hajj this year. Some of the important things to do this month include fasting on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, dhikr, and repenting to Allah.

Please check out the full article for more details and I pray that we all receive as many blessings as possible during this auspicious time.

♥Kima

{Muslim Fashion Don't}

2007-12-08T21:10:00.000-05:00

DON'T WEAR A SKULL & CROSS-BONES PASHMINA

{Get The Look}

2007-12-06T13:43:00.001-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of super-wide palazzo pants, but I think this look is really chic. You can buy the entire outfit at spiegel.com for about $150 or shop around to get the look for less.

{Pretty Pictures}

2007-12-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

Click here for the article.

{Islamic Clothing Q&A}

2007-12-05T16:55:00.000-05:00

Q. How can I wear a skirt for work without looking too feminine?

A. What's so bad about looking feminine? :) To answer your question, "skirt" doesn't necessarily equal ultra-fem, especially when you add structured pieces to complete your outfit. I'd suggest wearing a nice jacket in a menswear inspired fabric like the tweed jacket above. Finish off the look with a structured bag and a simple hijab style for no-fuss modesty.

{Necessary Objects}

2007-12-03T13:41:00.001-05:00

With jeans or dress pants... And a jacket or undershirt, this pretty shirtdress is a wardrobe staple for modest women.

{Purple And Black}

2007-11-28T10:57:00.000-05:00

Click on an item to shop for it.

{Muslim Fashion Don't}

2007-11-24T23:51:00.000-05:00

PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BE A GANGSTA HIJABI

{Deener Denim Trench Coat}

2007-11-24T02:18:00.000-05:00

My fashion favorite, Stacy London, gave away this Deener Denim trench coat tonight on her new talk show, Fashionably Late. I love this trench! It has a sophisticated long and lean style without being tight. Plus you can wear it with just about anything! Now I'm on the lookout for a comparable one and here's what I've found so far...

This denim trench [at right] is by Guess Factory. While it does feature some of the same style elements as the Deener trench, it's not as long, it's a bit tight, and worse yet, it's not in my size! So, I'll just have to keep on looking... Which one do you like best?

{Islamic Fashion - Iranian Style}

2007-11-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

"Iranian designers fuse international and European fashion with traditional Iranian styles, breathing new life into Islamic fashion in Iran."

{Peplum vs. Babydoll}

2007-11-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

The new Anthropologie catalog features this pretty yellow peplum jacket. Some people use peplum and baby doll to describe the same style of clothing, however, they are slightly different.

What's the difference? Baby doll styles have a seam right under the bust and flare down towards the hem. Peplum styles have a seam at or below the waist and flare down from there.

Which one should you choose? If you have a larger bust, you may want to try peplum style pieces to avoid emphasizing your chest the way baby doll pieces do. If you have large hips, a baby doll top would do well to camouflage your shape, where as a peplum may make it look larger. And when in doubt, just try it on.

{Mock Cover}

2007-11-20T18:25:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all of your feedback on our masthead font. It's been a work in progress because I'm a perfectionist. But, we've found one that we really love... It's bold, feminine, sophisticated and pretty... Just like Her Modesty.

So, check it out. Not everyone will like everything, but I hope you like it because that's our font and we're sticking to it!! :)

{Makeup}

2007-11-20T18:01:00.000-05:00

As a fashion magazine, Her Modesty will also include beauty features. Here's a look that I absolutely love! Kelly's look features a reddish-brown glossy lip and some gold liner around the eyes.

To me, this is a great example of how we can wear makeup in an understated, polished way. What do you think?

{Get The Look}

2007-11-20T14:33:00.000-05:00

I love the combination of an ivory sweater with a dark jean and a silver shoe.

To make it modest, I chose a sweater-dress and a closed-toe metallic pump (since it's getting cold out!). Finish off the look with a silver pashmina to match the color of the shoes and the weight of the dress...

Here's how to get the look:

Click on an item to shop for it.

{Dubai Abayas}

2007-11-19T23:30:00.001-05:00

For those of you looking to get your fashionable little hands on a Dubai abaya, you should check out Eastern Vogue. They're based in Dubai and they have a number of unique and pretty styles. I'm still trying to get up the nerve to order from overseas (expensive much?), but if you're brave... Click here to check them out!

{What Else Is New?}

2007-11-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

Saouli.net is finally back up with a new collection. The main website features lots of pretty graphic tunics, but only a few are available for sale as of yet. Click here to take a look!

{What's New?}

2007-11-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

MaraboOnline.com's new collection launched last week. Complete with all the menswear-inspired fabrics that are hot right now. Plus trapeze tops, swing jackets and a faux wrap-skirt. Click here to check them out!

{Muslim Fashion Don't}

2007-11-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

PLEASE DON'T TUCK YOUR HIJAB INTO YOUR PANTS

If you need to keep your hijab in place... there are pins for that.

{Get The Look}

2007-11-14T13:07:00.000-05:00

This is an ideal suited look for Muslimahs. It features a maxi-skirt (long black skirt), a cropped jacket, and a long sleeve top underneath.

To make this outfit even more modest (especially if you're curvy), I would suggest a swing style jacket because it fits the body more loosely...

So here's how to get the look:

Click on an item to shop for it.

{Modest Clothing For The Office}

2007-11-09T12:42:00.001-05:00

Click on an item in the picture to shop for it.

{How To Wear Hijab - Tudung}

2007-11-08T13:37:00.000-05:00

Are you loving or leaving this style?

Click on the image to enlarge.

{Modesty On Sale}

2007-11-07T06:12:00.001-05:00

If you love tiered skirts, you may want to check out this one by Kenzie. It's on sale for under $30... And you know it's never too early to start shopping for next season! Click here for details.

{Almost Perfect}

2007-11-07T06:04:00.000-05:00

This outfit is a bit too fitted in my opinion, but I love the idea of it and the black/purple color combination. What say you?

Click here to shop for the 38" long pinstripe skirt!

{Muslim Fashion Magazine Mock-Up}

2007-11-06T20:47:00.000-05:00

Here is a mock-up of what our covers will look like in terms of fonts and such. Our photoshoot will take place in December, inshallah, so of course there will be a different pic on the front. But, some of you have requested an idea of the feel we are going for with the magazine... So take a look, and as always let us know what you think! :)