According to Islamic beliefs, everyone needs to pay attention to their appearance as well as their morality and soul. Apparel is to protect the body from elements and unmoral looks and to cover it for the same reasons. Overall, men and women must dress in a modest fashion. Traditional Islamic clothing for women reflects this standard. Modern female fashion does so, as well. The designers who create these fashions, however, also opt to work both color and style into the equation.
Color
The Qur’an does not implicitly refer to the necessity of wearing a specific color, although many do look to references to colors purportedly favored by Allah or those that are associated with modesty. As a result, it leaves it to local, regional of societal culture to help determine what is preferable. On the Arabian Peninsula, women have been wearing black for centuries. Other devout Muslims in Southeast Asia and western Africa have opted for bright colors. This is permitted and designers are increasingly discovering they can have a varied palette and still produce modest Islamic clothing for women.
Today, fashion designers utilize many different shades and hues. There are reds, whites, blues, pinks and purples. Some mix and match various diverse colors in the same design. Some use certain accepted earth tones in a novel fashion. As a result, some Islamic clothing is marvelously attractive while being modest.
Style
As in the instance of color, the Qur’an does not refer to a requirement for Islamic clothing for women to be in a definite style. This permits women to decide on what fashion they prefer. Designers create Islamic clothing for women in diverse styles to appeal to their own sense of self. Such adaptations of traditional apparel also speak to their faith.
One aspect of style that designers enjoy revitalizing is the sleeves. For the modern stylish abaya, sleeves no longer fall in the same straight lines. They may puff at the wrist or gather at the wrist creating a lengthy cuff. They may be solid in color striped or multi-colored.
Designers add fabric clasps, pouched pockets and belts. They create gathers and make seams obvious. Embroidery weaves its way into the designs of many an expensive ensemble. They use delicate V-necks and artfully drape fabric. In doing so, they combine creativity and traditional beliefs with contemporary renditions of older styles.
In the end, contemporary Islamic clothing for women reflects the Muslim requirement of modesty. It also adheres to three other principles: style, color and practicality.
