Saturday, April 30, 2011

Goody two shoes

Long sleeve dress
30 GBP - houseoffraser.co.uk

Jaeger wide leg pants
60 GBP - johnlewis.com

Lace flat
$47 - shopruche.com

Amrita Singh collar necklace
$100 - amritasingh.com

Jon Richard vintage pearl brooch
15 GBP - debenhams.com

Dorothy Perkins silk scarve
12 GBP - dorothyperkins.com

Diorshow Unlimited Mascara
$25 - bloomingdales.com




I think the most notable thing about this outfit is the sweetness of it. It's a very cute and innocent look. I think it would be great for class, a job interview maybe, or even a casual date or outing. The pink peter pan collared top is modest enough that it shouldn't require any over or under layers. I would recommend buying up a size though to make sure it doesn't come too tight. I'd recommend the same for the navy pants.. though they are wide legged so they shouldn't be too very problematic. It's really hard for me to pick my favorite part but if I had to it would be the shoes! Definitely give those a click and check those out in a larger picture! They are very sweet mary jane style flats with a tiny navy floral print. They lace up with old fashioned retro strings.. too cute. The scarf is also great! I love the detail around the edge. Open up and add some color to your lovely eyes with a dash of navy mascra and finish off with polished accesories. For jewelry I would recommend real or faux pearls. There is nothing more classic, sweet or feminine than pearls. I like the pearl necklace shown because you tie it around your neck with it's ribbon ends making a lovely bow! Finally perhaps a pearl hijab brooch or pin at most.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Super easy! No pins!

I have worn my hijab like this a few times lately. The main reason I love wearing it this way is because I can do it so quickly and easily.. with no pins or anything! Plus it stays securely in place.  The way I do it is by starting off as most of us always do. I place the hijab on top of my head and let both ends fall at even length on each side. I then take one side and then pull it up towards the opposite side.It literally goes over my head a second time. I do the same thing oppositely with the other side. I then neaten it and tuck the ends in and any off spots. I don't pin it. I leave if fairly loose..somewhat Shayla style. I then take a white scarf that is long enough to be a hijab in itself but about half the width. You can tell the white scarf was meant to hang around the neck not be a hijab. I take the white scarf and  tightly twist the entire length of it the way you would wring out wet clothing. Next I fold the twisted scarf in half longways (obviously!). Once it is folded in half if you hold it up by the ends it should start twisting into itself. You will want to help it out though to make sure the twists are tight and even. It should be the same idea as if you were twisting two strings together.. or the way some girls divide their hair into two, twist the two halves together all the way down and then tie. When you have done this part the twisted scarf should be have the length originally and start to be looking the way mine does. One end should have the two scarf ends, the other should be able to be a loop.  Pull the twisted scarf around your head bringing both described ends to the back of your head. Pull the scarf ends tightly through the loop. It should be kinda like making a slip knot. If you've done it right the twisted scarf should be enough to secure your hijab and you won't need pins or anything. Yes, believe it or not this really does stay very secure all day! Plus, I think with a hijab of  different material or pattern this could be a great formal or even bridal look. It would be easy to stick some veiling under the twisted scarf. :]

Today..


This is what I wore today. You can't tell but it was a loose black skirt worn with it. My hijab, the floral pink scarf is from American Eagle. They often have lovely scarves.. one of my favorite stores. The white undershirt is from comfortteez. I often put their long sleeved shirts in my designs as the bottom layer. You can find the link to their site in most of my designs and previous posts. I really like them because the shirts are sooo comfy. They are a really soft material. They also hold up very well. I have some years old still in very good condition. They are a company that specifically has modesty in mind. They have tank tops and cami's that are extra long and high necked. They are made this way so that they are perfect to wear under a long sleeved shirt or dress that happens to have a neck that shows too much.. as so many do. Definitely check them out.  My blue blouse is from Target and is was very cheap! My black skirt is a thousand years old and I'm sure you would be able o find something like it anywhere. My white underscarf is pretty much the same story. :]

I think that girls should be less afraid to mix colors! Just because your shirt is blue and white doesn't mean your hijab has to be so! I love to see when girls mix things up. I'm a big fan of creativity. Kinda like the Nautical post a few days ago. I don't think many girls would mix that many colors and would have instead chose to wear a white or navy.. maybe yellow at best hijab. There's nothing wrong with simpler looks and color schemes but there's nothing wrong with having fun and tossing in a surprising color once in a while.

Aida

Just for now..

Just for now I am going to turn off the comments option. This is because it's a new blog and I am so far only getting a very small amount of comments anyway. I think that because of this the blog looks neater/cleaner and more organized. I just don't think that it is worth the bother to have comment options at this point. Hopefully, if my readers grow in the future, there will be extra plenty to talk about when I do reactivate them! If and when I reach a certain amount of daily page views or followers I will defnitely turn them back on and I look forward to doing so!

Aida

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Spicey reds and black!

Forever21 maxi dress
$25 - forever21.com

Melissa flat sandal
$87 - idontlikemondays.us

Nialaya string bracelet
$650 - farfetch.com

Isabel Marant flower bracelet
$495 - net-a-porter.com


This is a fun outfit for a night out on the town. Great for date night with your hubby or an evening dinner out with family. I would recommend wearing a slip of some kind underneath to prevent any clinging. Great for summer. With few layers avoiding overheating will be easy. I think a white hijab would be best with this. Some might think black but I like the way white breaks up the colors and brings out the bits of white in the dress. I think it would be fun to mix and match the corresponding colors and put two or three exotic bracelets like the ones I've shown on one wrist. I obviously wouldn't expect anyone to buy the exact bracelets shown as they are of outrageous price. They are just shown for example. I am sure you can very easily find something similar in most stores or anywhere online. You'd have to be sure to wear the bracelets outside of the longsleeved undershirt so that they can be seen without revealing your wrist and arm. I think these black shoes go great! Very exotic looking almost!. I think they really go with the feel of the outfit. :]

Monday, April 25, 2011

pretty in pink! ..and gray!



pretty in pink! ..and gray!

pretty in pink! ..and gray! by Rae Gregory featuring ballet shoes







This is a very feminine pretty spring or summer outfit. It would be appropriate in some professional settings, on a casual date, shopping, to class etc. As I often warn, the skirt and gray shirt should be purchased at a size larger than usual as these brands tend to run small and tight fitted clothing is not hijab. I think wearing the coral pink scarf underneath and then layering the the other on top would be very cute. I am linking a youtube video that shows how to wear headbands with hijab! I think finding a way to do this with the matching gray and coral pink head band would be super cute. Or if you're not into the headband thing you could take those two cute earrings (or similar ones!) and use them decoratively as you would a hijab pin. I wouldn't recommend using decorative pins AND a headband though.. that would be too much. Maybe finish off with some white accessories like a white beaded necklace or bracelet? I am in love with the woven shoes!




How to wear hijab with a headband..






How to easily make a floral headband YOURSELF perfect for wearing with hijab!


Nautical Summer



Nautical Summer

Nautical Summer by Rae Gregory featuring embroidered pants







This would be great for warm weather! The pants are a loose fit and won't require anything worn underneath. I would recommend purchasing the two shirts one size bigger than your usual as these stores do tend to run small. I think layering the fun yellow tank over the navy striped shirt is a great colorful look. Create a high waist with the bow belt over both shirts! This outfit would look cool topped off with a lightweight red hijab or scarf to complete the primary color theme. Accessorize with nautical jewelry! This outfit will help you avoid overheating while staying modest and looking cute! I chose red sandals however tan sandals that match the belt would look great too.. or navy flats of some kind for sisters who do not show any foot. Sisters who do not wear pants could wear this look with a long khaki skirt. I can see this outfit being worn walking on the beach, to an amusement park, to the park or a cookout! Definitely a summer look.


Edit: As I looked back at this outfit I questioned the appropriatness. I think that while in picture it may not look hijab if bought and worn in oversize as intended it is still okay. Also keep in mind the picture of the pants is small. I have actually seen them in the store and they seem much larger and wider legged. Allah knows best.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Shades of gray


Shades of gray

Shades of gray by Rae Gregory featuring sheer scarves




This is a slightly cozier outfit. I think it would be a great choice to wear on one of those still cool days, or maybe on a rainy day or perhaps to a chilly movie theater. I'm in love with the scaf shown however due to it's thin material it will require an underscarf of some kind. I think white or black would go nicely. I'm also really crazy about the popular owl theme that's been going on this season so I'm pretty excited to make a set including accesories that feature them! A few of these pieces are from a really cool new website I just found called modcloth. It's NOT modest clothing but you can still find some good stuff if you keep your eyes peeled. :]

Saturday, April 23, 2011

"Thats not hijab!"





Okay.. so I know we are not the ones supposed to be judging however I really feel that someone should point this out as it's something I am seeing more and more lately. There is a certain camisole style of tank top shirts and spaghetti strapped blouses and dresses that literally seems to outline the bosom. The picture shows what I'm talking about. Now don't get me wrong, I know this style isn't exactly new! However seeing this style being worn by Muslim "hijab" girls is new to me.




I have noticed lately a lot of girls wearing this style of shirt or dress very tight over a long sleeved shirt. Like I've said before.. just because your skin is covered doesn't mean you are hijab appropriate. Our clothes should be loose enough to hide our curves and the line of our feminine body. A sister wearing super tight clothes is bad enough but then when she wears a dress or top that literally seems to draw an outline around her breasts? To me, that's super bad!




These tops and dresses were designed to bring attention to the breasts and draw the eye to that area.. period. We probably don't need to be wearing this style of top.. no matter how loose or what you layer underneath it. To me this style makes the chest as conspicuous as literally drawing a big circle around the bosom!




Sisters.. there are many cute alternatives that would look much more appropriate and equally cute. I don't have any problem whatsoever with layering tank tops and spaghetti strapped dresses without this bosom detailing or styling over long sleeved shirts. There are plenty out there!





We all know "that they should draw their khimar over their bosoms and not display their beauty..". The Qur'an makes it very clear that we are to cover that area.. it makes it clear we are to cover all the other areas too but it goes out of the way to really emphasize the the breasts in particular should be concealed. We all know deep down that a shirt or dress that brings attention to the the breasts in such a blatant outlining way is not okay and would not please.




To the sisters who have worn this style.. take no offence. We live we learn we grow. I am not your judge. This is simply my opinion. I'd love read the opinion of others. If you do own clothes like these perhaps you could get some more modest use out of them by wearing your hijab especially long so that it comes past the chest and you can not see this area or you could wear a tying or buttoning sweater that would completely hide that area or you could try a long shawl etc. Be creative!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Lovely in lilac


Lovely in lilac

Lovely in lilac by Rae Gregory featuring long tiered skirts




I think this would be a really cute spring outfit. I think it's very pretty and sweet. Ideally a modest long sleeved white shirt would be worn under the floral blouse. I would recommend wearing a long slip or thin pair of leggings under the skirt to ensure modesty. I'm really crazy about this lilac hijab! I love the stripes of slightly varying color/material. Too cute! You may want to wear a white underscarf, bonnet etc underneath the hijab to add more color or ensure extra modesty. I'm also really excited about the matching pin! So pretty. It goes with the outfit perfectly. The white shoes have a bit of a woven look to them! Very fun and unique for sure. I think this outfit is perfect for an outing on a lovely spring day. I hope you like it too!

Haute Hijab








I am really excited. I have just found the most awesome little site. Haute Hijab is an online store that sells one of a kind vintage scarves and wraps. Their hijabs are cleaned, treated and steamed to restore original quality. They are an Islamic company so they make sure all of their scarves are large enough to be worn as hijabs. Some scarves will require an underscarf of some kind due to the varying materials..some of which may be somewhat sheer or thin. This is no big problem though! I personally always wear an underscarf anyway. I like the look of the contrasting color above my forehead and face. You would think these scarfs would be really pricey but from what I have seen most are all 20.00-25.00$usa and some are 30.00$ at most. For one of a kind vintage scarves by brands like sarah coventry, yves saint laurent, liz claiborne and ann klein this is a fantastic deal!


ps. the wraps are not hijab sized but they would look great on top of an already in place hijab tied bandanna or headband style as a fun accessory! Be creative.
http://www.hautehijab.com/





Thursday, April 21, 2011

Orange summer outfit




Orange summer outfit

Orange summer outfit by Rae Gregory featuring satya jewelry





This outfit was ideally designed for a young, (or young at heart!) fun, fashionable muslimah. This outfit would be great to wear going out shopping, to lunch with family or friends, school etc. It's pretty and feminine without being too formal. It definitely has a fun vibe.


It is designed with modesty in mind however to further ensure you mantain your modesty I would also recommend wearing a pair of thin leggings ( I think black or dark grey would be best!) beneath the dress.


The gray scarf shown is not from a shopping site.. any gray hijab would work fine. If you cannot find or do not have a gray scarf that provides adequate coverage I think wearing an orange bonnet, cap, or underscarf would be a fun way to ensure you are covered and add a bit more color.


Please remember sisters that hijab does not just include covering skin it also requires we hide our feminine curves and conceal the line of our bodies. The store this dress is from tends to run small. If you normally wear a small I'd recommend going for a medium, wear a medium go for a large etc.


I would recommed choosing a long orange sweater like the one I have shown so that you don't have to wear an additional slip or underskirt. The one shown is long enough to well hide any clinging and come past your lower curves.


I know the beads on the selected hijab pin look red in the picture but they are actually a matching orange. :]


Hope you like!