Samir Nair

The Islamic wedding wear: an opportunity to find the abaya you always wanted

The wedding season is just around the corner and wedding fashion shows have already started taking place all around the world. These shows attract huge audiences around the world. The month of June in western and Middle Eastern countries is the most preferred time for weddings. Wedding abayas have become a staple in these shows and Muslim women love the variety being displayed. Also, they get some inspiration about what their wedding abaya would look like.

Wedding fairs in Middle Eastern countries such as Doha, Dubai, Qatar, etc. are attended by thousands and thousands of people. Those who are not getting married until the next two years also come here to get take ideas for their wedding. Wedding fairs are a good place for wedding planners, abaya designers, makeup artists, and photographers to showcase their work and grab business in loads. These fairs are kind of one-stop shops for a couple for all their wedding needs.

Today, there are many variations of the abayas, however, all of them still follow the guidelines. Big fashion brands, abaya online stores, and fashion designers have come up with their very own styles of abayas to satisfy the comfort and fashion desires of women which come in different colors, styles, designs, and fabrics of the abaya. Aside from the abaya, designers also display their takes on other Muslim clothing such as the hijab, burka, niqab, jilbabs, etc. The best part is that you can find beautiful designs at affordable prices. Some popular designers are come here to showcase their work. So if you like the premium stuff, you will find it here at the wedding fairs.

Most of the abaya designers belong to western and Middle Eastern countries. But this time around, there will be some renowned designers from India and European countries as well. This will be the first time for European designers and hence it will be interesting to see what they have in store for women.

These fairs are an opportunity for designers to reach out to potential customers. For the consumers, it provides them with a wide variety of choices from which they can compare and contrast different designs, styles, etc. which are usually unavailable elsewhere.

Samir Nair

Hijab – the Veil that follows Islamic Traditions

In most Islamic societies, wearing a Hijab is limited to married women, but in some communities, even girls need to wear it when they reach puberty. But most parents encourage their little girl to wear hijabs even at a very early age so that they get used to it. In the Muslim community, even little girls are required to keep their heads covered. Hence, many brands have come up with a wide range of collections in the kid’s Hijab segment. There are several styles and fabrics that you get to choose from even when it comes to kidswear. Whatever you choose your child will surely look cute in a Hijab.

Choose the right color

· Classic Whites – The classic white hijab is a one-piece fabric usually made of georgette material and doesn’t have any lace. White may look simple but they never go out of fashion.

· Black Versions – Black is a common color when it comes to hijab be it, kids or adults. They can be made of plain chiffon material. Mostly kids’ hijab doesn’t have any lace at the edges. But some prefer a bit of intricate lace at the edges on gorgeous materials like silk.

· Colorful Variations – When we talk of the Hijab collection you will come across a variety of color combinations. The reason behind this is all kids love a splash of color. Nowadays, you will find classic sober pink, red, and maroon color hijab with delicate designs on them. Many of these are made of silk or more expensive pashmina shawls. At times you will also come across some green shades that can range from jungle green to classic green variants. Some of the other shades of kids’ hijab are combinations of dark and classic brown or light gray and sometimes blue.

Hijabs make them look cute

Most of us would agree that kids’ hijabs are highly in demand as they lend them a cute look. Little girls look extremely cute in their colorful hijabs. With so many designs, colors, styles, and cuts available it becomes difficult to pick the right one for your little princess.

Where to buy

If you are in search of affordable kids’ hijabs, you can take a look at Muslim clothing online stores. You will find quality hijabs at reasonable prices. When it comes to shopping, online stores are more convenient as it is less time taking and you do not have to give any effort in visiting a store. If you are looking for some expensive kids’ hijabs then the online store is the best place to shop. Online Store’s hijabs usually range from classic chiffon shawls, pashmina shawls, or even silk shawls. 

Samir Nair

Abaya – an Islamic dress with combination of tradition and style

Abaya is an Islamic wear of the Muslim community which is worn and accepted by people living across the world. Islamic Abaya dress has evolved over the years, from the traditional ones to today’s contemporary styles. Abayas, today are considered to be one of the most perfect apparel, for anyone who wants to follow the tradition and yet look stylish. This loose garment is designed in such a way that it should be draped right from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. It must be robe-like and never transparent as it is supposed to conceal your body shape and not make it prominent. There has been a lot of transformation in its fabric too. The fabric has evolved from chiffon, georgette, and crepe to a more sophisticated one like velvet, satin, net, viscose, lycra, and rayon. Here, the former fabrics are used to craft traditional designs while the latest fabrics are used to design contemporary styles.

Nowadays, the Abayas apart from being plain also come in solid or other interesting prints. They are usually adorned with different types of stonework, crystal lycra work, beadwork, or some kind of intricate embroidery with floral or other designs. When it comes to colors black and off-white are two of the predominant shades that you will mostly come across. But some of the other traditional colors are pink, yellow, blue, and gray. But considering today’s contemporary choice, Abaya dresses are also available in unconventional colors like turquoise, teal, gold, and beige. These colors can give your Abaya an interesting look individually or even in combinations. You will find several options today that you can experiment with and by choosing the right combination you can stay in trend and surprise the people around you. 

Abaya dresses can be conveniently clubbed with scarves or shawls or to be specific, hijabs which is modest clothing of the Islams for covering the head. Abayas don’t need much accessorizing as the outfit speaks for itself and is not supposed to be glamorous, rather it should be simple and elegant. There are online shopping websites where they have large collections of Abaya dresses with great styles. Today’s women love to wear them in bright colors for a graceful and elegant impression together with a strong personality.

Samir Nair

Know the Fabrics that are used to make Islamic Hijabs

Hijab is basically an Arabic term that refers to something that covers or acts as a veil. In Islamic religion, it is considered as a form of modest dressing that is supposed to cover the head, neck and sometimes the shoulders which depends upon the length of the hijabs. This piece of Islamic Clothing has a wider meaning in terms of morality, privacy and modesty.

The variety of fabrics used to make Hijabs:-

  • Jersey hijab fabric – This is considered as the most comfortable fabric. Jersey being a stretchable and lightweight fabric remains in shape even without the use of pins. The level of comfort cannot be compared with any of the materials. It is fit for all seasons and works perfectly even in warmer climates due to its ability to absorb sweat easily. Being durable it can also provide the required protection even in winters.
  • Satin hijab fabric – Are you planning for an extravagant night out? Then you should definitely pick this satin hijabs for that luxurious touch. The fabric satin reflects light from different angles. Whether you opt for a plain or printed hijabs, you will never go wrong when the fabric is satin. Initially, you should begin with dark colours and slowly shift to the lighter shades as you gain confidence.
  • Active wear workout hijabs – The workout hijabs designed for the sports ladies are made from fabric that uses ultra-light cool technology. This is a very lightweight, high-quality, breathable material that is extremely comfortable and an asset for every professional as well as amateur sportswomen. It is also great for workouts in gyms.
  • Linen hijab – A linen scarf keeps the area around your neck cool due to its weaving technique that allows airflow and keeps your body moisture-free. Linen being a stiff fabric does not easily cling to the skin when sweaty and also dries out fast. Thus a linen hijab feels cool to the touch and also quickly gets rid of perspiration from the skin due to its ability to absorb moisture really fast.
  • Polyester – Polyester is a tough fabric that is made from synthetic fibers. It is normally used for items like clothes and home furnishings. Nowadays, polyester fabric is used to make a variety of items. This is available in a variety of prints that will leave you awestruck. It should be noted that polyester can be a little inappropriate for the hijabs as its sweat absorption level is lower compared to the other natural fabrics. But you can definitely try it out in the springs and winters to get a vibrant look.

So, for any of these options, you can always check online stores and pick the one that you find most suitable.

Samir Nair

Burkini – The Perfect Muslim Beachwear

Even a few years before, the pair of Muslim women and beaches was considered odd. It was not because they were scared of the sea but it was because the right outfit was not available for them for enjoying the sea. As per the Muslim religion, women are prohibited from exposing their flesh, especially in public places. The act is considered an unforgivable sin. Due to this rule, Muslim women could not put on the swimsuit manufactured by the leading brands.

Then there came a revolution named Burkini which is a combination of Burqa and bikini. It was crafted keeping in mind the traditional faith and belief of Muslims along with the specialties of swimwear. Now, with this right swimwear Muslim women can enter the water on the beaches with due respect to their religion. It is one of the most Islamic Clothing when it comes to swimwear.

Designing swimwear for Muslim women keeping in mind the Islamic traditions is not only a challenging task but almost next to impossible. But, Oliver Momeni accepted this challenge and successfully gifted the women of the world with a swimwear named Burkini. After putting in the immense effort he came up with this terrific piece of modest and comfortable swimwear especially for Muslim and Islamic women.

A Burkini is a two-piece swimsuit that includes a shirt having an attached headpiece and a pant. The best part of this swimwear is it covers the entire body and exposes only your face, hands, and feet. High-quality water-repellent fabric is used to stitch a Burqini which is Chlorine/Salt water-resistant and also protects you against ultraviolet rays. Some Muslim swimsuits in the market could not gain much popularity as they tended to cling to the body, when wet. But this problem has also been overcome by using a fabric that would dry very fast so that you don’t face such a problem. 

Some of the special types of swimwear feature elastic bands attached at the inside part of the pants and get buttoned to the inside of the suit which prevents the suit from floating. At times a Burqini also comes with a zipper in the pants which proves handy to store small items like keys and other essentials.

In online stores, they have a wide range of Burkinis for beach lovers in the Muslim community. The range available is also affordably priced. You can select from this wide range of variants conveniently from the comfort of your home. This helps you save a lot of time and energy.

Samir Nair

The importance of Hijab Clothing in Islam

Hijab is a piece of cloth worn by Muslims and it strictly follows the Islamic tradition of clothing. It comes in a wide range range of styles and fashion for women. Hijab is an Arabic word that translates to the English word veil. The vital aspects of wearing the hijab are to lower one’s gaze and to guard one’s chastity. 

What is Hijab?

A hijab is a rectangular or square piece of fabric clothing that is folded and placed over the head and then fastened from under the chin to form the image of a headscarf. Depending upon the location or the style, it is also known as a Shaylah or tarhah. Over the years, the hijabs have gone evolution and now it comes in various colors and designs to make it look attractive and appealing to the people. It follows the Islamic tradition and covers up the head of a woman where only the face is visible. 

The importance of the hijab:

Hijabs can be said as a true piece of Islamic clothing and its reference can be found in many ancient Muslim writings and texts by statements that referenced the wives of the prophet but some scholars disagree as to whether it only applies to the wives of the prophet or everyone. Nevertheless covering the head can also be found in other religions, though they may not do it all the time sometimes or during a holy event, women have been found to cover their heads. According to Islamic tradition, women need to cover their head at all times and thus hijabs are a great piece of Islamic Clothing which ensures that happens.

What does the hijab signify?

The headscarf has become a symbol and a means of resistance to the predefined standards of feminine beauty which demand more exposure. It motivates women away from physical beauty and more towards the inner beauty of the mind and the soul. Removing clothing or less clothing for the benefit of male gazing does not equal liberation in any way. It is when we are not distracted by the outer beauty; we focus on other parts of the soul like the beauty of the mind and the soul separately. In-office cultures, wearing hijabs makes it so that their colleagues and employers interact with them based on their various qualifications and not on their looks and that is a great leveling field for everyone which doesn’t promote any malpractices. 

Thus many people willingly accept the hijabs and have made them a part of their life and accepted the benefits that come with them and adhere to the Islamic tradition and style of clothing. The rest of the people do believe in having the hijab but they say they are more liberal and call themselves more modem Muslims and try to break the traditional rules and clothing styles.

Samir Nair

Top 5 Great Things about the Abaya Dress

Abayas, in general, are a loose-fitting garment that is used to cover the body except for the face, hands, and feet. The origin of the Abaya lies in the history of Islam and its religious texts. One of the related texts that highlight the need or origin of the Abayas is as follows: 

Mostly Abayas are black and loose-fitting to meet the purpose of covering up the female form. Over the years, however, the Abaya has evolved and changed into forms unique to the choices and personalities of the women who wear it. Although it is an item or modest clothing and restrictive to some extent, there are a large number of benefits or advantages of wearing an Abaya. Read on to know more about the benefits of wearing an abaya. 

Five reasons that women love about the Abaya: 

Even though the concept of the abayas is pretty restrictive and covers the entire body in a formless manner, Islamic and non-Islamic women in the Middle East and other places seem to love wearing it everywhere they go. Here’s why:-

The Abaya is an amazing item of clothing that is loose and formless. This is why it makes the hot summers bearable and women have the advantage of using light clothing or minimal clothing while having the modest cover of the Abayas. 

1. 86% of surveyed women responded that wearing the Abaya gives them unrestricted access to experiment and try out new styles without fearing lecherous or unwanted attention in public. 

2. You can wear the Abayas in a lot of different ways; it doesn’t need to be a monotonic and uniform black formless piece of clothing. You can wear it in the layered Moroccan style or decorate it with floral and classy designs that spice up the look of the Abaya without taking away the modesty or the purpose of the clothing. 

3. One of the most popular reasons quoted by surveyed Islamic women is that they can use the abayas to cover anything from unlaundered clothes to pajamas which give them an advantage over almost all situations.

4. The abayas also serve to protect their Islamic clothing style and keeps the identity and dignity of the women safe so that they can mix and venture into society freely. 

Often, people combine the abaya with a Shayla or hijab which can be black or stylized pieces of cloths used as headscarves. This gives it a personalized look and both Islamic and non-Islamic women have confessed their love for the ease and compatibility that it offers with their daily dressing styles. 

Samir Nair

Detailed Information about Mens Kurta and Kurta Pajama look

Indian ethnic wear is the classiest fashion wears for men. It shows class as well as the tradition at its best. Mens kurta is a casual yet classy part of Indian men’s fashion. It can be individually or it can be paired up with Sherwani or Nehru jacket. Or one can use it only for casual use in daily life. The perfect thing that comes with the pair is kurta pajama.

· Places you should wear Kurta Pajama

As it can be used as both casual and party wear you can choose kurta as your choice of clothing. You can use a casual kurta in a normal outing. Other than this there are occasions like friends birthday, engagement party, etc. Here you can use casual kurta but makeup with silk. You can pair it up with Sherwani or Nehru jacket and go for a gorgeous occasion like marriage.

· Types of Mens Kurta for Different Occasions

There are many types of mens kurta. The silk kurtas are mainly used for an occasion like marriage, engagement, etc. And the cotton or khadi kurtas are mainly used on simple occasions. Kurta pajama can be used alone or they can be used with being paired with Nehru jacket. Kurta pajama with Nehru jacket is one of the most popular and easily available dresses. Men with a good physique can try more fitted kurtas, it helps them flaunt their beauty. But healthy men can opt for the loose-fitting afghani look with a good salwar kurta paired up with dhoti pants.

· Pair ups their use to wear with it

Mens kurta is a versatile men’s wear. It can be paired up with different types of wear. You can wear it with simple denim and rock the casual look. Or you can wear it with the churidar pants and have a festive look. A simple but embroidered kurta and plain pants are the best combinations for any festival. Most of the time kurtas are embroidered or printed. They go in plain color pants. And if the kurta is of plain color it is better to wear the printed pants. All in all kurta pajamas is the simplest yet the classiest dress a man can wear.

· Colours available for people who try Kurta

Kurta pyjama is available in almost all colors in India. Though it is more preferable to use dark shaded colors are better for evening parties and the light pastel colors are better for the functions in the morning. The monochrome colors make you look slimmer and fit.

· Accessories always make it better

Accessories always make the dresses better. Adding a brooch only makes the gorgeousness make come out more beautifully. And do not forget to wear good shoes to complete the traditional Indian look because with a tiny flaw it can ruin all your hard work to look awesome.

Now as you got all the details to style the kurta pajama look, do not delay and rock the Indian traditional look.

Samir Nair

Burkini – A simple guide to buying the perfect Islamic Swimsuit

There was a time when Muslim women refrained from taking part in water sports as there was not any Islamic clothing to wear for the same. Traditional swimsuits do not promise the required modesty demanded by Islamic religious practices. On the other hand, casual Islamic attire is not a very comfortable pick for water activities. As a solution to this, a new invention took place in 2004 resulting in an Islamic Swimsuit. The swimsuit maintained every bit of modesty as required by the Islamic religion and was named the Burkini. Since then Islamic swimsuits have come a long way in terms of designs and styles.

A simple guide to know why buy the perfect Islamic Swimsuit called Burkini:-

Based on types

A Burkini swimsuit is available in two designs, namely, one-piece burkini and two-piece burkini. One-piece swimsuits, as the name suggests, come as a single-piece swimsuit. E.g. a tunic attached to leggings or a tunic attached to skirts stitched to a pair of leggings. They are both sold together as a combination and separately. Buying separate pieces allows for mix and match between different designs and styles. It is important to buy a swimsuit keeping in mind the body type. For women with a full/broad figure or a fat belly, go for bottoms with high waists. They have a slimming effect on the stomach thus making them look thinner. Low waist bottoms would highlight the busty physique. Also, they should avoid a one-piece swimsuit. Women with large busts should wear underwire tops to make the top look less heavy. They can wear both designs. For women with good physiques or less weight, any type of swimsuit can be picked, though they should prefer the tight fit ones.

Burkini Colors

You will get a wide range of colors, which might end you up in a confused state. As far as the colors are concerned, simply go for the ones that go with your complexion. If you want to look stylish, this point needs to be kept in mind. For people with fairer complexion, bright colors are a great choice. While for dark complexions, less bright colors are recommended.

With these simple tips in mind, picking the right burkini will not require much of your effort and time. However, one should make sure to buy it from a clothing store that deals with Islamic clothing. They are sure to provide you with everything you are looking for. If you already know of such stores, then make your purchase from the same store. If you are not aware of a reputed store, then you can look up for the same on the Internet. It will provide numerous results but the reviews and feedback will help in selecting the good ones.

Samir Nair

Islamic Hijab – Wear with Pride and Style

Hijab is a popular form of Muslim Clothing for females. It can be described as a piece of clothing that is worn by women over their heads covering the upper part of their bodies. Some also wear it to cover only the head. Hijab is an Arabic term, which means “protection”. As per Islamic religious practices, a Hijab denotes etiquettes and modesty.

There was a time when the hijabs used to be a mere piece of clothing wrapped around the head as a symbol of tradition. But the scenario is completely different in today’s world. With changing fashion trends bringing out major reforms in Muslim Clothing, how can the hijabs be left behind? Not only new designs and patterns are being introduced in a Hijab but Islamic women are also figuring out unique and stylish wear to pin up their hijabs.

Let us learn about some modish ways to wear your hijab like a fashionista:

Pinup Hijabs the Right Way:-

No matter which design you choose, you need to pin it up the right way to prevent it from falling out. If you don’t pin it up tight and right, it is likely to get loose and fall apart. This creates a bad impact on your dressing sense. So take whatever you need headpins, crochets, etc. Wearing colorful headpins or crochets is another way of spicing up your hijab look. Floral headbands are also a stylish way to wear your hijabs. Women with a wide forehead can use floral headbands to make their forehead look smaller. You can also try out bows with your hijabs, something that never runs out of style.

Try out different Hijab Styles:-

Another way to sizzle your hijab look is to try out different ways of pinning it up. Wearing it, in the same way, looks dull. While in different ways, you can wear the same hijab again and again and look different. You can learn different styles on the Internet and apply the same in your dressing routine.

Complement your Hijabs with the right Outfits:-

No matter how beautifully you wear your hijab, if your outfit cannot create the required impression then it is of no use. Try to complement your hijabs look with stylish and trendsetting outfits. You should also make sure that your dressing sense meets the required level of modesty so that you do not lose the essence of your hijab. Hijabs are all about modesty that should be maintained throughout your outfit.

Accessories are Saviors:-

How good are your outfit and hijabs without the right accessories? They take your style to another level of awesomeness. Wear fashionable footwear, colorful and trendy earrings, and neckpieces, bracelets, watches, and keep your fashion game on point.

With these simple tricks, you set a style statement every time you step out of your home. Also, always try to stay updated with modern trends to amalgamate the same in your dressing style.