HAUTE HIJAB STYLE : SNAKESKIN

Snakeskin is such a sleek and sophisticated print; and it’s one of my favorite prints to wear — especially when it’s done in shades of gray. In today’s post, I just want to show you some hijab-friendly snake print pieces from my favorite place to window-shop — Shopbop.com.

Check out the links below to get a closer look at the hijabs, coat, and long sleeve maxi dress featured above, and to see more snake print clothing and accessories… But before you go, tell us, what’s your favorite print to wear?

Links:
[1] Click to view more snake-print clothing at SB.

HIJAB STYLE : ACCESSORY FILE

From golden bangles to chunky chains and cocktail rings, there’s nothing like a great piece of jewelry to finish off an outfit. When it comes to hijab style, earrings are typically out of the question, so I’ve always focused on bracelets and rings when shopping for accessories. For a long time, I didn’t really consider necklaces as hijab-friendly items because my hijabs always covered them up. But luckily, extra-long necklaces are trendy right now and it’s easy to find necklaces that are long and substantial enough to be worn with hijab.

Check out some of my jewelry picks from Shopbop.com (yes, I’m still mildly obsessed with that site!). And tell me, are you an accessory fiend or is your hijab your only must-have accessory?

Links:
[1] Click for more SB accessories.

WE LOVE HIJAB LOVES : WORKWEAR BY SETRMS UK

Every woman has an I’ve-got-nothing-to-wear-to-work day now and then. But, I think that Muslim women have it the hardest. Why? Because we have to find clothes that are clean, professional and modest enough to wear to work – and then we’ve got to find a hijab to match. I’m sure that many of you working women know what it’s like to find something halfway modest in your closet – for example a sleeveless tunic – only to realize that the long-sleeved t-shirt that you normally layer it with is in the dirty clothes bin…

This brings me to one of the reasons why I love the new fashion franchise called Setrms UK. While most designers sell suits that feature jackets and skirts that are too short to be hijab-friendly, Setrms UK offers long jackets and long skirt-suits that make it easy for a Muslimah to get dressed without having to worry about layering, mixing, and matching.

Some of my favorite items of Setrms UK’s first collection are their long jackets. The one pictured above is called Tulin and I can imagine wearing it in several different ways. You could wear it to work by pairing it with wide-legged pants (as shown above). You could dress it down by pairing it with jeans and a t-shirt. Or you could wear it with a simple maxi dress.

Click here to see what else Setrms UK has got to offer. And be sure to sign up for their email newsletter (at the bottom of their website) because they’re giving away a free silk hijab to one lucky subscriber… When you’re all done, come back here and let us know:

Would you wear this type of clothing to work? What do you normally wear to work? What do you think of the Setrms UK line in general?

HIJAB STYLES FOR LESS: HIJAB FASHION TRENDS SPRING 2010


Today’s hijab style set has two purposes. 1. I wanted to demonstrate a more subtle way to mix prints within one outfit. And, 2. I also wanted to do a post (as requested) about Hijab Styles For Less (thanks Mira for the title!).


Mixing prints is a pretty hot fashion trend for Spring, but in my opinion, that look can leave you looking like you got dressed in the dark. Nevertheless, I still love this trend and I think that mixing prints can look more chic than crazy by following a few tips:


1. Keep one of the prints neutral in color.
2. Keep one of the prints simple.
3. Keep the shapes classic.


The long skirt that I’ve used in today’s hijab style set fits those three requirements perfectly. It’s black and white, it has a simple striped print, and it’s a classic a-line shape. The blazer is also classic in shape, but it has a bright pink, floral print which carries this look in to Spring 2010.


I finished the look with neutral pieces: black booties, a black pashmina hijab, and a large mother-of-pearl cocktail ring.


HIJAB STYLES FOR LESS


This striped long skirt by Xhilaration costs about $17, so it’s a very affordable alternative to the skirt featured in the hijab style set above. I don’t think it would look good with the floral jacket, but if you want a striped skirt in your wardrobe, this one would be a great choice.


So, what do you think? Would you mix prints? By the way, I’m sure that some of us have mixed prints before by wearing a floral scarf with a pinestriped pant or something similar — even if not on purpose. Have you?


Links:
[1] Rachel Pally Long Full Skirt, $198. [2] Newport News Floral-Print Sateen Blazer, $49. [3] Pashmina Hijab – Black, $15. [4] Michael Antonio Macey Ankle Boot, $25.72+. [5] Australian Mother-of-Pear & Pave Cocktail Ring, $74.99. [Hijab Styles For Less Link] Xhilaration Maxi Skirt, $16.99.

A reader on Muslimette.com left an interesting comment today, which reads:

“You’re right – non-muslims don’t have much problem with the hijab. It’s muslim girls and women who are ‘ashamed’ of it in a way. To some people, wearing a hijab is akin to slumming it, like not living up to what life is offering. But we have to face it – this life here is just a transition spot for the true believing Muslim. Sad and such a shame they cannot realize that…” -Z.

I have been wearing hijab since I was about 12 or 13 years-old and I can honestly say that I’ve heard more negative comments about it from Muslim women than from non-Muslims. None of these women actually wore the hijab and their reasons for not doing so range from “the hijab makes my hair fall out” to “I will start wearing hijabs once I’m out of college”… I wouldn’t say that I’ve heard a lot of these comments, but I’ve heard enough of them. On the other hand, I’ve only heard one or two negative comments about hijab from non-Muslims in my entire life (not counting the stupid things that a few people have said in my blog comments).


What about you? Do you agree or disagree with Z’s statement? Have you encountered more Muslim women who dislike the hijab or more non-Muslims who have a problem with it? If possible, please let us know what country you live in so that we can get a feel for what it’s like in different parts of the world.


Image Credit – kamshots

HIJAB STYLE FINDS: LONG DENIM SKIRT

Today’s hijab style set is full of neutral textures. The featured item, a long denim skirt by Shukr Islamic Clothing, is a classic wardrobe essential, but the pleating detail makes it a bit more special than the average long denim skirt. A soft cardigan contrasts the stiffness of the denim, while the woven handbag and nubby, suede boots add additional elements of texture. To finish off the look, I chose a fringed, pink hijab which adds even more texture and a pretty pop of color.

Links:
[1] Alana Denim Skirt, $54.95. [2] Cinch-Tie Cardigan – Marshmallow White, $20. [3] Pashmina Hijab – Mauve, $15. [4] Steven by Steve Madden Woven Wonder Satchel, $108. [5] Bandolino Jahnavi Bootie, $39.98+.

HIJAB STYLE FINDS : ABAYA

If you’ve been looking for a nice abaya that is affordable and pretty, check out East Essence. I found about 60 pretty abaya styles for under $40 each. The abayas that I featured above can be found at the links below and when you get to the site, search “abaya” or “hijabs” and you’ll find all of the other styles that they have. The abayas come in sizes XS-XXXL so inshallah, there’s something for everyone.

I think that I have to get the first abaya that I featured above. What’s your favorite?

Links:
[1] Beautiful Arabian Princess Abaya, $38.38. [2] Abaya 30, $37.18. [3] Shakeel Abaya, $38.38. [4] Aftab Abaya, $39.58. [5] Abaya 6, $39.58.

HIJAB STYLE FINDS : TIERED LONG PEASANT SKIRT

Salam ladies! WE LOVE HIJAB is back! I’ve been gone for about 3 months but for good reason. I’ll explain soon, inshallah. For now, thank you so much for sticking with me and for all of your well wishes. Please enjoy today’s Hijab Style Find…

*UPDATE: A We Love Hijab Reader let me know that the cardigan pictured above is actually 3/4 sleeve. That info is not included in the product description for the cardigan so I didn’t know that when I made this post. If you do buy it you would of course need to wear something to cover the rest of your arm (like a long sleeve black tee or something). Just a little FYI.*

Today’s Hijab Style Find, is this pretty long skirt by Chadwicks. More than anything, I love the $25 price tag (!!), but I also love the fact that this skirt has a modern tiered design and it comes in some juicy, Summery colors.

I would wear this long skirt with a white tank top, a lightweight black cardigan, and black strappy sandals. For the hijabs, I chose a stripe-printed hijab that features all of the colors in my outfit.

What do you think: Are you feeling today’s Hijab Style Find? And how would you wear it?

Links:
[1] Chadwicks Tiered Peasant Skirt, $24.99. [2] Roxy Providence Stripe Scarf, $17. [3] Lightweight V-Neck Cardigans, $20. [4] Jet Black Crystal Cocktail Ring, $16.25. [5] Anne Klein Eddie Platform Sandal in Black, $35.58+.

JODI HYLAND
WORE… Gap jeans, a flowy cardigan by Kieus, black booties, and a hot pink pashmina hijab.
TO… an Oscar party at a friend’s house.
LOVES… Forever21, Old Navy, Gap, Express, and Wet Seal.
MUST HAVE… cropped sweaters in every color, pashmina hijabs, maxidresses and dangly earrings.

Steal Erica’s Hijab Style
Links:
[1] Long Cardigan by MaxStudio, $89. [2] Mother of Pearl FLower Ring, $27.99. [3] Hot Pink Pashmina, $7. [4] Denim Trouser Jeans, $19.99. [5] Calvin Klein Nader Boots, $142.

(If you’re reading this in your email box, please visit the website to see Jodi’s outfit.)

MODERN ISLAMIC CLOTHING DESIGNER : SAOULI

I love, love, LOVE Saouli! In case you haven’t heard, Saouli is a growing European fashion brand complete with boutiques, runway shows, and an awe-inspiring line of modern Islamic clothing. I first fell in love with Saouli about back in 2007 when I found out about their US fashion debut in Chicago. Since then, I have been periodically checking their website for updates and finding nothing but a blank page. Well today I realized that I was checking the wrong URL!

Now that I have the correct web address, I am once again able to drool over the pretty hijab-friendly fashions that the Muslimahs of Saouli deliver. — Astuce, the striped tunic with pleats and flared sleeves. Loana, the Aztec-esque printed yellow dress top. Sandra, the graphic purple and black printed top. Laetitia, the sophisticated plaid dress top. — All of these tops are priced at around $40 (less shipping and handling – which could be expensive).

While I work up the nerve to ignore the horror stories about ordering clothing from overseas, tell me, do you love the Saouli line as much as I do?