Modest Fashion Explained

What is modest fashion?  

Modest fashion refers to a style of clothing that prioritizes covering the body in a conservative and modest manner while still maintaining a sense of fashion and style.

What constitutes as modest fashion?

In modest fashion, clothing typically covers the body more comprehensively, focusing on longer hemlines, higher necklines, and looser-fitting silhouettes. It emphasizes the idea of concealing rather than revealing one's body, without sacrificing style, creativity, or personal expression. Modest fashion can include a wide range of garments, such as long-sleeved tops, maxi dresses, long skirts, loose trousers, tunics, and headscarves, depending on individual preferences and cultural influences.

Who participates in modest fashion?

Muslim women have played a crucial role in bringing modest fashion into the mainstream. However, it's important to understand that modest fashion is not exclusive to any culture, or religion. Due to its association with Muslim women, some people mistakenly believe modest fashion must only be about abayas and hijabs. However, any garment that adequately covers the body is modest fashion. In fact, you may already have modest fashion pieces such as a long-sleeve blouse or maxi skirts.

Considering how diverse the modest fashion community is, it may be unsurprising to learn that modesty can mean different things to different people. For one woman, it may mean opting for ankle-length skirts and long-sleeve tops with a high neckline, while another may feel modest in a knee-length skirt and a capped-sleeve top with a moderately low neckline. Modest fashion is not about enforcing modesty, judging others, or pedestalizing only one form of modesty. Rather, it is about providing legitimate options to people who want to dress modestly, whatever their personal standards for modesty may be.

 Importantly, for many people, modesty is about more than appearances. It is infused in every aspect of their life, from how they present in public, how they move, how they eat, how they design their interior, and even where they rest their gaze (if you know, you know).

What is driving the recent popularity in modest fashion?

Modest fashion as a lifestyle or religious choice, has always been with us. What has changed is public awareness of modest fashion; and while many people from different communities practice modesty in their dress style, no one has been as vocal as Muslim women in the western world, in championing modest fashion.

The rising interest in modest fashion is believed to be driven by the increased participation of Muslim women in the workforce. With more second and third-generation Muslim women pursuing higher education and achieving financial independence, they have greater disposable income compared to previous generations, leading to a heightened interest in modest fashion. There has also been a growing global awareness and appreciation for diversity in the fashion world. The fashion industry, once dominated by Western ideals of revealing and form-fitting clothing, has begun to embrace a more inclusive approach, from gender non-specific garments to more options for plus-sized fashion. Designers and brands are recognizing the demand for modest fashion and are catering to this underserved market.

Social media platforms have also contributed to the rise of modest fashion. With the advent of Instagram, fashion influencers and bloggers have emerged as powerful voices in the industry, showcasing their unique interpretations of modest fashion. These online platforms have provided a space for Muslim women to connect, inspire, and share their style choices, fostering a sense of community and showing each other how to dress stylishly while remaining true to their beliefs.

 The driving forces behind the increasing popularity of modest fashion include the economic empowerment of Muslim women, the growing acceptance of diversity in the fashion industry, and the influence of social media. As these factors continue to shape the fashion landscape, it is expected that modest fashion will continue to gain momentum and become an integral part of the mainstream fashion industry.

Public reaction to modest fashion: the good, the bad the ugly

Many organizations in the fashion world have largely embraced modest fashion. High street retailers like H&M, NEXT, and Uniqlo offer modest lines on occasions such as Eid/Ramadan. More upscale brands such as Dolce&Gabbana have also created modest lines.

Politically, however, modesty has been under attack. In a world that favors strong outward expression of sexuality, modesty can sometimes be viewed as outdated and even repressive. These misconceptions have led to significant religious persecution of Muslim women and have made the hijab and modesty, in general, hot political issues. For example, in France, a woman can wear a bikini at the beach but not a modest burkini, which is a garment that looks very similar to a scuba diving suit. This means women who want to dress modestly must either disrobe and forcibly display their bodies in public against their wishes or be completely removed from public spaces.

 The ugly truth about modest fashion is that many still associate it exclusively with non-white, Muslim women. Consequently, it intersects with multiple forms of discrimination, including Islamophobia, xenophobia/racism, and misogyny. Such prejudices were exemplified by a comment from YSL co-founder Pierre Berge on fashion designers and creators working with Muslim women. Berge said he was:

"scandalized" by the concept, stating, "Creators should have nothing to do with Islamic fashion. Designers are there to make women more beautiful, to give them their freedom, not to collaborate with this dictatorship which imposes this abominable thing by which we hide women and make them live a hidden life."

The idea that a Muslim woman can have beauty dressing modestly or have agency to make her own decisions seems impossible to people like Berge. Berge also seems unaware that there is a community of modest women in the Christian faith, Judaism, and many women who are simply tired of the impossible beauty standards and culture of hyper sexualisation imposed by current fashion.

 Luckily for modest fashionistas, there are other options, and brands who have welcomed our community with open arms.

Where do people buy modest fashion?

Once you appreciate that modest fashion is not exclusive to Islamic or ethnic wear, you will see that it is already available in many shops. It becomes trickier for women of faith who have to meet particular criteria of modesty. In these cases, there are more options for modest fashion online. Companies such as Daska Fashion, Aab Collection, Veiled, and Podur are making great headway catering to the Muslim community. Similar Christian modest fashion brands also exist.

Can you be stylish while wearing modest fashion? Yes, and one only needs to look at hashtags like #hijab and #modestfashion to see all the creative ways women are dressing fashionably modest.

What does the future look like for modest fashion?

Modest fashion has seen a dramatic increase in net market value over the last several years and is expected to continue growing. With the changing dynamics of the fashion industry and the increasing demand for inclusive and diverse options, it is likely that modest fashion will continue to gain prominence and become more mainstream. As designers and brands recognize the untapped potential in this market, we can expect to see even more innovation and creativity in the realm of modest fashion.