Riza Abdullah, Author at modestish

Not all garments can be adapted to modest fashion

Riza Abdullah

Modest fashion is constantly growing and adapting to every new trend in fashion. Often trends that are thought not to be modesty-friendly are styled in such impressive and creative ways by modest fashion bloggers and their followers. But is there a line to be drawn between what garments can and cannot be adapted to modest fashion? Recently, hijabi Malaysian model and actress, Natasha Hudson, was heavily criticized on social media for wearing a form-fitting off-shoulder gown to a product launch event in Malaysia. She defended herself by saying that her shoulders were actually covered with skin-colored fabric and that in…

Opinionhijabi, modesty, Natasha Hudson

We need more modest stylists in the fashion industry

Riza Abdullah

When hijabi model Halima Aden announced she was “stepping down” from the mainstream modelling last month due to its misrepresentation of her hijab, she stated that the lack of Muslim stylists was a major issue within the mainstream fashion industry. She recalled photoshoots and styling choices which she deemed were not hijab appropriate and hoped to work with modest stylists that knew what it meant to her. An article in the Daily Beast delved further into the issue, with Muslim fashion personalities explaining that mainstream production teams are rarely aware of the specific conditions and modesty guidelines that many Muslim…

News, OpinionDeborah Latouche, Hakeemah Cummings, modest stylists, Muslim stylists, stylist, trend, Zainab Irfan

How to style your pyjama suits for max (modest) appeal

Riza Abdullah

Have you ever wanted to stay in your pyjamas all day? Amid the global pandemic and #wfh life, 2020 was the year where fashionable pyjamas finally became socially acceptable outfits. Working or lounging in a good pair of pyjamas has become an essential this year and a pyjama suit is now definitely something to invest in, not only for the home, but also as stylish streetwear. Matching two-piece sets have already been a hit this season, as can be seen in the tracksuits and knitwear in stores, but pyjamas are even comfier – not to mention, more classic, timeless and…

StyleOlivia Von Halle, pajamas, pyjama suit trend

Do pageants contradict the ideals of modesty?

Riza Abdullah

Earlier this week, Somali, hijabi model Halima Aden made headlines across the globe because of her decision to “bow out gracefully” from the mainstream fashion industry, which she said often “misrepresented” her hijab. After posting a series of Instagram Stories highlighting her hijab journey, she announced her plans to compete as the first Miss Somalia in the Miss Universe pageant. Beauty pageants and modesty are certainly not the usual combinations of words that come together in a sentence. Historically, beauty pageants have been seen as competitions to judge and rank women on their physical attributes – a concept that is…

Opinionbeauty pageant, Miss Muslimah USA, Miss Somalia, modest fashion

A hijabi reflects on Halima Aden’s recent hijab statements

Riza Abdullah

The words modesty and hijab have two different meanings. Traditionally, hijab refers to a head covering commonly worn by Muslim women, which many believe to be apart of modesty in their religion. Modesty covers a much wider spectrum and includes, but is not limited to individuals who wear a hijab. Recently, Somali model, Halima Aden revealed her realization of where she had come to in her career, and announced that she was stepping away from the mainstream fashion industry. This candid revelation through social media of how she lost her “true" hijab as she grew in her career as a…

News, OpinionHalima Aden hijab, hijab, hijabi model, modest fashion, muslim women

How to incorporate leathers into your modest wardrobe

Riza Abdullah

When it comes to modesty, leather garments may be another modest fashion favorite this year. The oversized luxe leather shirts, outers, and dresses available in stores now are covetable for women who seek modest wear, and even for women who don’t. Leather has made yet another comeback this fall season in even more chic and luxurious pieces this year, and at an even lower cost. The development in faux leather materials is remarkable, as year by year technology has created leather-look materials that are cheaper, and some, even sustainable. Here are some modest fashion looks in leather for this season:…

Styleleather, modesty, trend

Some tips on stylish layering techniques for the cooler months

Riza Abdullah

Layering is not just a style, it’s a skill. It’s a skill that modest-dressing women know all too well, and may even have been called unfashionable for it in the past. But that’s no longer the case —today, layering is an essential fall trend that hits the streets as soon as the autumn leaves start falling. /coach-ss21/ The perception of layering has indeed changed in the past few years: what was once a fashion mistake, is now a fashion trend. For modest women, layering has always been one of the options that could help them fulfill their modest requirements. No…

Stylefashion, Hijab Hills, layering, Leena Alghouti, Ruba Zai, Saara Zai, style tips, Summer Albaracha

Modest fashion shouldn’t be an over-priced trend

Riza Abdullah

We all know that modest fashion existed way before mainstream fashion brands created their versions of it. What came to some people as a trend has been practiced by women of faith for years, who have been creating modest outfits on a day to day basis, because it’s part of their lifestyle and religious beliefs. Layering and oversized clothing are just some of the styles that were championed by modest-dressing women with regular clothes available in retail stores. Now, they have to pay extra for that? Fashion is a business. Business means marketing a product to look like what the…

Opinionfashion, fashion industry, trend

Minimalism x modest fashion — finding common ground

Riza Abdullah

The fashion industry is no doubt constantly growing and expanding. An industry that once only had two seasons now has new collections coming out every week. The increase in consumerism over the past few years has had a huge impact on this growth, and this has led to the birth of fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to the swift manufacturing of garments from the catwalk to retail stores at a very low cost. Fashion is a way of expressing one’s identity and creativity, however from the persepctive of retailers, it has always been about business. As the years have gone…

Opinionfashion, minimalism, modest fashion

5 modest looks for SS21 from New York Fashion Week

Riza Abdullah

This year has certainly been rough. The global pandemic has changed the world as we know it. After months of lockdown, the world seems to be slowly emerging back into public spaces, and the fashion industry is also adapting to the new normal. New York Fashion Week has been the starting point of fashion seasons since 1943. It was first held to give fashion buyers alternatives to French fashion during the war as travel to Paris was not possible. Year after year, this glamorous week has grown to become an event watched by people all over the world, however, this…

StyleBevza, Cynthia Rowley, Jason Wu, Nicole Miller, NYFW, Wolk Morais

Modest fashion: is it more than just a trend? Dubai fashion designer weighs in

Riza Abdullah

A few years ago, modest dressing was a term stereotyped for the way religious women dressed, covering themselves from head to toe. Modesty and fashion were entirely incongruent in many minds. Today, however, the fashion market has become saturated with new and changing styles, many of which happen to be both modest and trendy, worn by both religious and non-religious women alike. So, how is modesty perceived today – as a trend or a wider lifestyle? Modest wear today has evolved to become a global phenomenon inclusive of people from all religious and cultural backgrounds. Modesty and fashion have come…

Opinionmodest fashion trend, modest lifestyle, modesty, opinion