HIJAB STYLE EDITED : FANCY MAXI DRESSES

Maxi dresses in basic colors like black, navy, and white are great hijab style staples for summer — and every other season for that matter. But what do you do when you want to add a little bit of spice to your wardrobe?

Sarah from Toronto emailed me for help with this. She wants to find a few maxi dresses that are fancy, but not too over-the-top. So, I headed over to shopbop.com (I’m a little obsessed with this website at the moment!) to find some options for her. Check them out at the links below and tell me, which style is your favorite?

[1] Mary Gold Halter Gown by Malene Birger. [2] Fuchsia Maxi Dress by T-Bags. [3] Printed Maxi Dress by T-Bags. [4] Petti Maxi Dress by Only Hearts. [5] Printed Long Dress by T-Bags. [6] St. Tropez Maxi Dress by Patterson J. Kincaid. [7] Florent Maxi Dress by Sunner.

Today’s Hijab Style Find is this gorgeous paisley print maxi dress by One World. This dress is so pretty, don’t you think? I am in love with everything about it, from the elegant paisley print to the vibrant colors. And the fact that this dress costs less than $50 makes me like it even more.


Hijab Style Tip:
The neckline on this dress is much more low-cut than it appears to be in the picture (I edited the pic a little bit for modesty’s sake), so wearing this type of dress would require either a huge hijab (think mini-burka style) or a high-neck tee or tank. And then of course you’d want to add a cardigan or jacket to complete the look.


Link: [1] One World Paisley Print Sleeveless Maxi Dress, $39.99.

EID HIJAB STYLES : AMNA

The Hijabi:
Amna, 24

Location:
Canada

Occupation:
Stay-at-home Mom

The Look:
Maxi dress by Gypsy 05, tee, large bangles, and a fringy hijab.

I love it because…
of the cool blue and green color palette… Very ocean-esque as we move into Fall. BTW: Kudos to Amna’s sister for the lovely photography!

What I’d change…
I like this look, but I’d do one or two things in order to make it a little bit more modest for my taste. I’d either wear a bigger hijab and push down the sleeves on the tee for more body coverage, or I’d wear a cardigan over the dress.

What do you think of this look? Leave a comment to let me know.

What did you wear for Eid? Email your Eid photos to welovehijab @ yahoo . com by Friday to enter the Eid Hijab Styles contest. Include your name, age, location, and occupation.

HAUTE HIJABI : KE’LONA

This week’s Haute Hijabi is Ke’lona, a 25-year-old Muslim woman from California. Ke’lona’s style is eclectic, colorful, and innovative (just look at how she layers her hijab!). She has an obvious penchant for diva sunglasses and carefully coordinated ensembles. Read on to find out more about her Haute Hijabi style!

WE LOVE HIJAB: Why do you love hijab?
KE’LONA: I love hijab for so many reasons. The most obvious, of course, is because Allah loves hijab… I think hijab is one of the easiest ways to please Allah, and have fun at the same time. I also love it because it differentiates me from non-Muslims and non-hijabis… so much can be deduced of your character when you put on a simple scarf. Being someone with an extremely outgoing (and at times outlandish) personality, hijab shows people that I may seem crazy and wild at times, but I have a set of beliefs and an expression of my modesty, that could sometimes be missed otherwise.

I also like hijab because it reminds me to try to be modest… I am always afraid of setting a bad example for Muslim women everywhere if I don’t behave appropriately in my hijab. People tend to think that the behavior of one Muslim represents the behavior of all Muslims, so it reminds me to set a good example for all of us.

Ok, just two more [reasons why I love hijab]… I love it because it’s a modest way of expressing your beauty and style. And lastly, because of its flexibility… You can cover yourself from head to ankle in non-tight-fitting, but very trendy clothes. You can even rock nikab with style… Hijab is for everyone, if they only knew!

WE LOVE HIJAB: How do you wrap your hijab?
KE’LONA: Well, I use so many different styles… I wear traditional, full, knee-length hijabs and I accent them with earrings, jewelry, decorative underscarves or nothing at all.

I have developed all sorts of creative styles with the long rectangular shayla… From the traditional wrap around and drape across chest [style], to a behind the head tie-back style that is then draped around to leave space for earrings.

I roll loose ends [of the scarf] into rose shapes on the side [of my head] and add jewels to accent; I throw hoodies on over the hijab for a more urban style; and I do what I like to call my “Jackie-O” style [this is the one in the last image in the collage]. I wrap a small sheer scarf tight around my head and neck… draping it sideways across my forehead, like bangs kinda swept over one eye almost. Then I wrap a loose, usually patterned scarf around like a snood. That style looks very classy and chic with big sunglasses.

Lets see, I add hats now and then and I mix in headbands for a shot of color, or I do different draping styles with more than one colored scarf. I am always looking for something fresh and new!

WE LOVE HIJAB: How would you describe your sense of style?
KE’LONA: It’s virtually impossible to describe in one or two sentences. I guess I would say it’s unique, progressive, traditional and fresh. I like classy/chic, urban, whimsical, bohemian (boho), traditional, ethnic/Indian, funky, sporty/athletic, feminine & girly and what I call the Purist’s Style… Monochromatic, made beautiful by dramatic draping and jewelry accents.

WE LOVE HIJAB: Has it always been easy for you to wear hijab? If not, how did you overcome whatever was holding you back?
KE’LONA: When I first became Muslim, the hijab was instantly easy for me. It was a HUGE shift from how I usually dressed, and over the period of 7 years I came into my own style, but the traditional abaya, nikab and khimar were the staples of my repertoire for many years. There have been days when wearing hijab has been hard for me, or toning down my ensemble became necessary (I got a bit too liberal and felt a bit uncomfortable, quickly rushing back into the house for an ensemble change.)

When wearing hijab became hard for me I started infusing a bit of individuality into it… I went for brighter colors, hoodies, jean skirts and things that better reflected my personal mood or style. I let my friendly personality shine through in my clothing while maintaining the proper modesty. It made me so much happier to wear hijab because it became a point of interest and admiration to people, rather than a danger and threat.

WE LOVE HIJAB: What are you wardrobe staples?
KE’LONA: The shayla scarf is just indispensable. I especially love the thin pashmina rectangular scarf. It’s got the silky-smooth opaque quality of a pashmina, but is much more lightweight and breathable. Also, denim and khaki skirts are a must-have, as well as a huge variety of flats (close-toed or peep-toed shoes) in a variety of colors. After that, I think full length double-layered georgette abayas [are must-haves]. They are just so elegant and flexible… You can make them traditional, chic, elegant, even ghetto-fabulous with the right fur-trimmed jacket, hoop earrings and bangles!

WE LOVE HIJAB: What are your favorite places to shop?
KE’LONA:

www.Shukronline.com – Classic styles, clean lines, unique designs. Also they have very bright, rich colors. Great for Summer!



www.thehijabshop.com – Sporty, cargo, and casual styles… trendy and original. Plus they have a HUGE selection of hijabs!

www.scarfworld.com – Great quality and variety of scarves… You can get the “lightweight pashmina” here.

www.denimskirts.com – This site was a dream come true when I found it… Floor length denim skirts, good prices, lots of styles.

I also love shopping at Target… Their Mossimo line is just awesome and they have lots of cropped jackets and short dresses that work great as tunics. They also carry a small selection of scarves, accent scarves, and really great purses and bags.

Also, Forever 21… They are just great! And Payless Shoes always has a few good pairs of flats with matching purses. (Hey, you gotta save money somewhere.)

I’m a big-time shopper, so I could go on forever.

WE LOVE HIJAB: Any advice for Muslim women who are new to hijab?
KE’LONA: Sisters, hijabi and non-hijabi alike, Allah commands us to cover… Its not just with modesty, He gives very specific instructions in the Quran. Remember that your outfit is supposed to be an OVERGARMENT. So if you are wearing nothing but a bra and panties under that abaya, skirt, tunic or whatever, no matter how loose, plain or modest it seems, you are not properly covered! This is a very important part of hijab that is often overlooked.

Nowadays there are lots of things you could wear under your outfit that would not make you any less comfy (like leggings and tank tops for instance). At least try your best and make du’aa that Allah makes it easy for you!

I congratulate all of you sisters whether you are ready to cover or not. For those who struggle with covering, try writing a list of all the pros and cons of covering, then rate each thing on a scale of 1-5 in terms of benefit or harm (try to be as objective and honest as possible). Add those points up and see which outweighs which and by how much.

As time goes on, go back to these questions and rate them again. If you find yourself moving further and further away from hijab, try hanging around more hijabi’s so that you can better understand why they love the hijab so much. Hopefully some of that will rub off on you! Or keep reading through blogs and sites like this one, searching for a modest style that fits your personality.

Now, if you add the points up and find that you really are more in favor of hijab, but you’re scared for one reason or another, then try doing it step by step. Start with longer tunics, then full length skirts, and try tying your hijab as an accessory until you feel ready to wrap that baby around your pretty little head.

It feels really good to wear hijab. I hope that those who are struggling with it are inspired and encouraged by the great work of sister Kima here at “We Love Hijab!” (Thanks Kima, you rock!)

STEAL KE’LONA’S STYLE:

Look #1 (clockwise from right):
1. Red Pashmina ($20) 2. Smocked Long Skirt ($49+) 3. Barse Sterling Silver Bangles Set ($425) 4. Nine West Rebekah Peep Toe Flat ($65.99) 5. Tianni Leather Quilted Hobo ($70) 6. Simple Chiffon Shawl (£5.99) 7. Jersey Long Sleeve Tunic, Devon & Jones ($32.20+)

Look #2 (clockwise from right):
1. Black Oblong Scarf ($15.99) 2. Similar Abaya ($30) 3. Mia Catherine Open Toe Flat ($26.99+) 4. Kathy Van Zeeland Metal Works Belt Tote ($64.90+) 5. Silver Leopard Print Pashmina (£11.99)

Want to be next week’s Haute Hijabi? Contact me!