A Modest Outfit For Work

Here's a simple winter work wear idea for you.. (you may want to go for a slightly longer length top if the trousers aren't loose enough):

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Another Style To Try

If you're sick of the bog standard hijab wrap, give this style for FloralCharms a go. The only thing I would definitely advise against is the use of two (or even one) under cap. They are tight and will make your hairline really thin.. also, the simpler a headscarf style is, the better it looks.

Colour Mistakes

A nice 'article' about colour mistakes in clothing from the Yahoo Lifestyle site:

1) Matchy matchy
“Women’s usual mistake with colour is trying to colour match their entire outfit,” confides Kirsty Attwood, Styling Manager at Selfridges, London. “Gone are the days of the ‘matching shoe and bag’ combination - have fun and add an extra tone or colour to your outfit.”

2) Overkill
Coco Chanel told us to always take one accessory off, and she was right. Too many colours all at once is guaranteed to kill a look. Caroline Hodson, personal shopper at Harvey Nichols, London, has this advice: “Always have in mind that less is more! For example, a key trend this season is leopard print. It’s easy to make the mistake of wearing too much of this print, but when done subtly, say with black skinny trousers this is a fantastic look.”

Read the rest here.

The Long Black Skirt

As long skirts and dresses are very in at the moment (of course, for hijabis, they are kinda always in..), I decided to put together an outfit idea for a skirt in slightly cold weather:

Biker Jacket by Zaenab

Of course, don't forget the leggings underneath.. Even though they have become a popular alternative to jeans (in case you haven't noticed..).

Cardigans - Hijab Style

Sorry I have not been able to post recently, I'm bogged down with university at the moment and all the work that comes with it.. But there's always time for a spot of shopping! Here's a cardigan I recently purchased from Firetrap, I love it as it's so modest but stylish at the same time:

It's great because it's long and covered enough to just about let you get away with wearing skinny jeans without confusing people with that ever popular headscarf and skin tight clothing combo..

Here's an outfit idea:

Autumn Hijabi

I think most would agree that it is now officially winter and you probably won't get away with trying to trudge around coatless for much longer. If you're not quite ready for the full on wool, however, a big trend this season is the chunky cardigan to rival the traditional coat.. until it gets really cold that is.

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Bright Autumn Outfit by Zaenab

Driving - Hijab Style

Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny that hijabis make pretty stylish drivers..
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Formal Wear.. And Jewellery

Quite a while ago somebody requested that I put together a formal outfit that included a long black skirt for an event they would be soon attending. I am aware that the said event has most probably been and gone but here is an outfit idea for you anyway - (sorry for the late response!)

While searching for some nice jewellery pieces for this look, (I have used a simple gold chain necklace) I came across a really nice site called My Jewelry Box which sells gold and silver jewelry for quite good prices. I have checked the reviews on several independent shopping websites and they appear to be a trustworthy company so it's well worth a look :)

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Hope you like :)

:S

Sorry for the lack of posts, have just gone back to university so will be busy for a while longer but hopefully I'll be back on track in a few days :)

xxx

Reader's Look: Umm Ibrahim

For the next installment of Reader's Look, I give you Umm Ibrahim from the Old School Hejabi blog and the abaya/hijab shop Arabian Threads. She is a librarian and lives in the USA after spending a year living in Arabia. She is rather fond of the overhead abaya and enjoys experiments with different style while maintaining her Hijab.

Check out her style:

Carrying her baby son in a sling, soo cute :D

In a lovely lace chador which is a kind of overhead abaya but without arm holes:


In Makkah:

Abaya styles:

Love those floral sleeves!

I made a look inspired by her love for abayas..

Abaya by Zaenab

Thank you Umm Ibrahim :D If you would like to be featured, email me.

Another Beautiful Recitation - Surat Ya'sin

The Best Recitation of Quran Ever --- It is the Best --- Surah-Ya-seen

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Of course, we should try to listen to the Quran often but I think it's especially important when we cannot pray to try to make up for it.

Tablecloth Chic

I have lost count of the number of times that I have read a comment in which the writer orders any woman who chooses to cover according to the laws of Islam to take off what they so endearingly describe as their 'tablecloths'. Now, I don't necessarily think that wearing what looks like a tablecloth is a bad thing.. (neither did Michael Kors in Spring '09, apparently).

Anyway, if they are so adamant that we wear tablecloths, it would be rather rude to deflate their conviction by walking around in, I dunno.. blue bedsheets, perhaps..

Tablecloth Chic by Zaenab

(P.S. I accidentally deleted the last 25 comments written on the blog.. sorry..modern technology is just too confusing)

Outfit Ideas: Smart Hijab

Monochrome

I find myself loving and hating the above look at the same time.. Loving because of it's beautiful modesty and striking monochrome colours and hating because of those ghastly shoes and that 'I'm pregnant' pose. I've reinvented the look with a slightly younger twist, losing the peep-toes but hopefully keeping the modesty:

Monochrome.. Nearly by Zaenab

Of course the dress is intended to be paired with a black long sleeve top underneath :)

Zain's Request: Roll Neck Tops

SM reader Zain emailed me asking where should could buy polo necks to wear under short sleeved dresses online. Here are a few shops:

1. ASDA Direct: You can get basic viscose roll necks in a range on colours from £6 and wool roll necks from just £8

2. Wallis: Basic viscose roll necks for £26 in a selection of colours

3. House of Fraser: They currently have a sale where you can pick up a jersey polo neck for £7.50 but not all sizes are available.

4. Dorothy Perkins: Basic viscose roll necks for £16 in a few colours

5. Warehouse: For £18, you can get a basic viscose roll neck from a range of mainly dark colours

If you live in the UK, check out Primark (and H&M) where you may find polo necks for cheaper. Hope that helps :)

Another Headscarf Style To Try

Nearly a year after adopting the Hijab, I am getting so sick of the standard shayla wrap so I was looking for some new styles to give a go on YouTube and found this lovely tutorial by hijabi user aberdeenchap:

Now I'm off to try it myself :)

Hmm..

Does she have no waist?