How About Some Islamic Scarf Today?

Seriously, is there any woman out there who doesn’t own a scarf? I mean you don’t have to be a fashion veteran or be doing the rounds of fashion corridors to realize its importance. Scarves tend to add grace, to your ensemble plus act as a part of the layer scheme providing more depth to define your look. Period!

They have been a part of almost all iconic fashionistas’ must have list. Talking about the English women  styling it earlier, it got adorned over the statement hats if not the nape of their neck. Be it belting it as a fabric tie to clinch waist or being worn out as a camouflaged muffler, scarves have plenty of reasons to make it to your wardrobe list, if they haven’t already and the reasons are other than the obvious styling and utility. For the uninitiated, you could Google the YouTube videos on top 10 or top 30 ways to style your scarf videos, and you’ll know what I mean. Winks!

And perhaps that’s the reason owing to its versatility that it has had many takers from all parts of the world resonating with women’s innate fashion call. The Muslim women too wear the scarf but as a hijab i.e. head covering which adequately covers their hair. The Islamic scarf for women is retailed a bit differently with different assigned patterns, lengths and material which come under the banner of halal dressing. In simple words motifs which are deemed Islamic or halal!

Like for one, we know that the set patterns do not have to have any facial representation as it goes against the tenets of halal dress code nor should bear any picture of anything living or dead. Such women’s scarves also bear a good length for ample coverage of hair and borne out of material which usually is not a ‘slip affair’ on the head. (Just imagine the multiple pins on the head to help tuck in a chiffon scarf on the head and nonetheless we still have many takers for Pashminas, and such is the irony) I guess it’s also imperative that I point out that Islamic scarves have a propensity towards eastern prints and fabrics with the orientlist elements being reproduced time and again. So you’ll easily find a pashmina with a rich Egyptian embroidery or a cotton scarf with a tie & dye dual print. Time you fancy a new scarf, eh?

Summers, Tan & Salwar Suits

Salwar kameez is probably a term you must have been cognizant with by now, coz it’s not only a staple attire for most of the ladies in the south Asiatic belt of India, Pakistan & Bangladesh (or at least was, until some years ago) but is also globally recognized quite contrary to its humble beginnings. It is an indigenous rendering of a traditional Persian attire which gradually got a regional stamp with different cultures thriving along the belt. Today, you could easily see many varied renditions of salwar suits globally in the works of Middle Eastern designers toying with the idea of pallazo pants and shirt –tunics in their creations. So much so that even many International celebrities have donned this attire for the sheer love for this outfit. Do you still remember the iconic picture of Princess Diana in a golden salwar suit while dating a Pakistani surgeon, do you?

And coming back to our discussion, the latest fad to hit the desi- community is of long shirt dresses or salwars along with Pallazo Pants -courtesy Pakistan

But by all means none can discount the utility of salwar kameez suits. For the lack of a better word, there’s nothing which can give you the triple advantages of modesty, comfort and style all rolled into one. The scarf or ‘dupatta’ as we call it forms the third part of the outfit which is either styled on head, chest, scarved around the neck or completely done away with as per the preference of the wearer. However, its mass popularity could also be linked to the geographical location of these countries. Given the fact that south Asia especially the aforementioned countries fall in the combination of sub-tropics and sub- temperate regions, the summers weather brutally harsh on the people of this belt. And that is precisely the reason there’s an upscale in sale of cotton salwar kameez during summers...

Read More at- http://eastessence.tumblr.com/post/134518280514/summers-tan-salwar-suits

Make Room for Plus Size Clothing in Islamic Wear

With every other day, a news bulletin running a story on body-image issues of teen-age girls and sometimes pre-teens starving themselves to death to get the perfect hour-glass figure or the growing obesity in young kids of European and Asian nation makes one wonder for how long this food-paradox would continue? These extreme cases of bulimia and obesity have now taken a toll on the psyche of young and old. The internalized guilt of ‘not being too thin’ enough to fit into a certain size gets further triggered owing to the rampant commercialization in food and clothing. The size zero phenomenon does in no way help towards positive body image building

One is left to wonder, why the hour-glass ‘stick figures’ are only allowed to walk the ramp in fashion shows, even though it’s a far fetched picture of the normal body mass index recommended by doctors. As per psychologists Two in ten cases of depression are related to people who are not satisfied with their body –type and hence resort to many malpractices to satiate their conscience. It’s only lately that corporates have woken up to realize the crying needs of these people owing to the collaborated efforts of NGO’s and growing protests by self-help groups world over.

Little comes to surprise that when the general masses suffer through the problem of outfits not available in adequate sizes then there’s almost negligible solace left of plus sizers in Islamic –wear community. More often than not, this neglected lot has to come up with certain DIY tricks to satiate the fashion-bug in them. It’s either the top is too tight or the neck –line is too low for the women who are modest dressers. Moreover, not every garment in the store could be classified into the halaal category. The Islamic plus sizers also have to deal with the exorbitant prices of certain garments which are both halal and available as plus size Islamic clothing is still a small market and needs ample recognition, so the industry which recognizes the niche is cashing on the poor victims of a further marginalized lot...

Originally Published at : http://articles.abilogic.com/120480/make-room-plus-size-clothing.html

Essentials of a Daily Namaaz

Now if I am to quiz you about the daily commodities essential for offering Salah, chances are you’ll end up starting with the Prayer rug itself which is better known as Jaenamaz. Now, we all know that the basic purpose of a prayer rug is to provide a clean foothold for prayer as mandated. So it’s an obvious spot-on in any Muslim house-hold. The next one on the check list is prayer beads. We all get confused counting on fingers don’t we? We have quite a collection on that one too.

So we thought of compiling a collection from our end to meet the needs used in prayer. Hold your horses for the ideal clothes for namaz or the Muslim thobes comes in later.

Starting off, we have a Hot Pink & Silver, JaeNamez Prayer Rug ideally suitable for young maidens who’d love to imbibe a bit of their girl –quotient even on the rug. A handi-work of spirals and silver makes it sassy and sweet! We’ve had many young takers for this one as well as mothers taking this as a stepping –stone for their young daughters to help establish prayers. Next we have another version in Brown & Silver, JaeNamez Prayer Rugs with traditional art in the centre. The third one, a Pink JaeNamaz is again a favorite with girls and mothers. The soft pink manages to capture the attention at the right place. Endowed with rich art-work, the silver play on the rug makes it a must –have. Finally we have some fresh greens in this green JaeNamaz with geometrical patterns. The interplay of silver with varied colors is an interesting mix. The Maroon Base JaeNamaz too works wonder in its feel and look.

We have a variety in prayer beads too. Some are color coded like the one we have in Purple and White, Tasbeeh while others are a simple rendition of the traditional pearly green bead in colors light green. You have other eclectic colors in aqua blue, basic black and light yellow too. Yes we also feature the famous Wood-Brown Tasbeeh as well as transparent Clear Tasbeeh.

I think it’s time for some Ibadaah, what say?

Islamic Clothing in Haute Couture?

Haute couture is a French term which connotes ‘high dressmaking’. Though it’s easier to say that little has remained of the term as of now coz many designers have given their own interpretation to (let’s say exploited) the term to satiate the desire of the market. However, there are many distinct markers synonymous with the same and Haute couture seems to be the flavor of every season in every fashion capital, market or gully.

So what are these markers?

Firstly, there isn’t any cardinal rule to exactly watermark couture from non-couture but with time it has come to common knowledge that an exorbitantly priced garment made out of rare or expensive fabric rendering itself to exclusivity in design, make and its number as well as is custom-fitted to suit the need of the buyer is all what Haute couture defines.

Phew, now that we covered it, lately hybrid trends have contributed into intermixing of various styles and culture amalgamation giving rise to a niche industry which is-Islamic Couture!

The designer Islamic clothing has now become synonymous with high-end dresses like gowns. The rich endowment of a trousseau with precious stones, or intricate handi-work on the fabric goes a long way in stamping the couture tag on the outfit. Though Ramp walks are mostly replete with flowy floor length gowns or skirts and pants it seems that Islamic couture has entered into the skin of the young fashionistas lately, for these dresses are not only relegated to the fashion circuit. Though more often than not high street Muslim fashion has come in the eye of the storm, owing to the stricter diktats of certain Ullemas on Muslim fashion...

Read More at- http://www.storeboard.com/blogs/fashion/islamic-clothing-in-haute-couture/563171

The Fancy World of Hijab Pins

One of the most common pet-peeves of our practicing sisters wearing a hijab is to maintain it all up there throughout the day. And the problem becomes more instrumental in the case of our new sisters trying the HIjab. Keeping it firm on the head all day long seems a herculean task enough for the newbies and might spell out the same for the veterans too if they haven’t mastered the art of maintaining firm hijabs with their tricks and twitches. A firm hijab is also essential to maintain the many scarf –styles (read many-folds voluminous hijab, hoody hijab, side hijab,) to cast a modest picture of your personal style.

So what do we know and have what have we learnt so far? The problem and here comes the solution. The answer ladies is Hijab pins. These hijab pins are not your regular metallic pins more in sync with surgical boxes but ornamental broaches. Except for the usage the appearance differs from the regular ones to add to your look. Let me brief you that Hijab pins not only accentuates your scarf by doubling as an accessory but also fastens it firm to the under scarf or scarf itself maintaining your folds and layers tucked in and neat.

The market is replete with myriad choices and one can go bonkers over some. A piece of advice - while fishing out ‘your’ hijab pins make sure that you also select it for its utility as some are just ornamental without feasibility of being used as good pins. So now that we covered it, let me make your life easier by offering our line on the same. Introducing EE’s fresh take on Hijab pins.

KOSHBO PIN- This ornamental rose pin carries a gold base with two stones. The studs make sure that the roving eyes set at the right spot. An ideal wear on something floral.

FLOWER BASKET PIN- This exquisite piece is a little treasure in its own right. Notice the tiny leaf like structures adding more dimensions to the broach. A total must have.

DIAMOND PIN- This disk shaped pin comes with a large stone at the centre surrounded with mini-crystals to finish off the elegant look.

A handy advice when using these pins: try and go for a monotone hijab to make the pin prominent enough!

The Growing Popularity of Modest Swimming Suits

When we talk about a swimsuit, usually we visualise a dress which is skimpy, in the form of a 2-piece bikini or a 1-piece swim wear, just apt for the perfect body. But not all women are comfortable in wearing such swim wears. Plus there are various other reasons for an Islamic woman not preferring a regular swimwear. But does that mean that such women should avoid going for a swim or to the beach? No not at all.

Fortunately, nowadays, designers and apparel companies especially those dealing in Muslim clothing have come up with women’s modest swimwear to make Islamic women feel confident and look good at the beach or at the swimming pool without compromising their modesty and decency. In most of the retail outlets or even on online shopping sites, there are various types of swimwear for women, which also include the modest ones. These shopping outlets are targeting not only the religious and conservative women but also the fashionable young women...

Read More...