Warm Winter

On snowy days like these a headscarf can be such a blessing. But if you want to take that toasty feeling to another level then delicate knits are the way to go. I cam across this ELLE editorial and fell in love with this modest maxi dress outfit. It’s beautifully simple and very hijab friendly, definitely on my Spring list.

(photos: style.com, Lina Scheynius for ELLE at elle.com)

]]> http://www.stylecovered.com/2010/01/12/knitwear-head-scarf-missoni-style/feed/ 9 http://www.stylecovered.com/2009/11/16/stylecovered-trend-alert-velvet-crush-part-2/ http://www.stylecovered.com/2009/11/16/stylecovered-trend-alert-velvet-crush-part-2/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:41:12 +0000 Hana http://www.stylecovered.com/?p=3210 Trends within the Trend

Fabrics in Fall

It’s easier than you might think to add velvet into your wardrobe and with this season it doesn’t have to be head to toe glamour. Here are a few ways to wear Fall’s finest fabric:

Colour

Colour is the easiest way to make velvet look modern. I love the bright yellow of Marc Jacobs, and the teal of Alberta Ferretti but the key is to stick to jewel colours, the richer the better. And then there’s black, and shades of black especially leaning towards the midnight blue spectrum. Always understated and chic, and always in style.

Texture

I’m definitely a texture girl, I’d choose playing with texture over playing with colour, maybe it’s just a comfort thing. I love the idea of this delicately decadent fabric next to big chunky knits. But it would work just as well next to vintage leather, big sequins, and satin (so pretty much anything then). So it’s easy to dress up or dress down. A velvet jacket over an abaya would look amazing.

The Burn Out Effect

Well it’s not exactly a new effect, but in it’s old incarnation (think mauve florals) it looked dated. Designers hadn’t taken full advantage of this amazing technique, which when used by the right designer can be awesome. Loving the Proenza Schouler looks.

(images: style.com)

Fall 2009

Velvet got a make over this season, with it’s soft sleek texture I kind of forgot why we ever fell out of love with it. Forget crushed and heavy velvet, designers were in agreement, finer is better. And with new burn out techniques and with memories of the cheap and dated velvet of the 90’s faded it’s time for a come back… and this time it’s sumptuous.

Designer Love: Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani

Armani created some of the most beautiful velvet looks this season. I’m totally in love with the midnight blues and the restrained use of velvet as detailing and trim. These velvet highlights are great if you’re just trying out the trend (I want the velvet Armani headwrap above). If I had the occasion I would definitely opt for this stunning take on velvet.

In part 2 we’ll look at how to wear this seasons most decadent trend, and the mirco trends in velvet.

(images: style.com)

Fall Runway Styles

Stop the Chill

As the weather starts to bite, out come the coats and up come the hoods. This season they’re draped in wool and jersey, or wrapped pashmina style in heavy fabrics. All of this of course is very beneficial to hijabis. Far from the casual hoodie, these runway picks are dramatic and sleek.

Tall Tales

With the trademark tartan of Vivienne Westwood Red Label I can imagine it feeling like being wrapped up in Grandma’s soft old (albeit very expensive) blanket. I mean that to be a compliment, it would be hard to beat that feeling! Speaking of Grandma- it seems that at Fendi “Little Red Riding Hood’ has grown up and moved to some slick city. And it seems her inspiration even reached the likes of Peter Jensen who added a quirky edge with the sheer blue hooded cloak.

Topshop Unique

A collection with a little bit of everything, from great wearable hooded trench coats to draped jersey snoods. The key to it all was layering, mix and match colours, textures and prints in a very Autumnal palette. The result is well crafted London street style, well what else would you expect from one of the UK’s high-street giants.

(images: style.com)

Don’t forget to vote for your look of the week

This week you can cast your judgement on head coverings

Style with Substance

Love In Layers

For me as a Muslim wearing polo-necks is a lot like wearing underwear; it’s just what you do. Even in Spring and Summer I never go that many days without reaching for my trusty jersey polo-neck. But when it comes to winter it becomes a second skin, almost every outfit starts with a polo base. It’s tough to think of anything more versatile, and this Autumn designers have given it a new lease of life and a well deserved turn in the spotlight!

Hijab Style: MAYSAA coming soon

How to wear it with a headscarf

Ordinarily you wouldn’t be able to tell what kind of neck line you were wearing if you styled it with a pashmina hijab. But the unique design of the MAYSAA headscarf (coming soon!) means that you can make the most of neckline details whilst staying covered.

But even if you stick with your own style, long sleeves layered under capped sleeved maxi dresses mean you will be bang on trend and beautifully modest.

Good Little Actions

At the end of the day recall all your blessings and be thankful for everything you have

Hadith Of The Day

“Consider well contentment, for it is a treasure without end.” At-Tabarani

The Content of Character, Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazuri

Perfect Muslimah Print

For a muslimah It’s hard to find prints on the high-street that don’t have something inappropriate on them. So when in doubt stick to dots and stripes, luckily summer was full of them (after doing this post I was starting to feel like Yayoi Kusama).

Seeing Spots

Michael Kors has a style that seems to fit really well with the classic polka dot, with a kind of nautical feel. Whereas Duro Olowu’s bouquet of different prints uses it in a totally different style (I’ll be doing a full post about this amazing designer soon). And then you have the abstract multi coloured dots of Wunderkind. All these styles work well, you just have to find a dot to reflect your personality.

Fall finds

And dots haven’t completely disappeared off the runways this fall, although they have moved away from the nautical, more classic look. Just take a look at what Emanuel Ungaro has to offer. I love the strong colours.

Good Little Actions

If you hear of a way to gain reward then pass it on and share the love!

Hadith of the Day

“He who directs others to a good deed is as the one who did it: and, assuredly, God loves the act of aiding the distressed.” Ibn Abi ad-Dunya

The Content of Character, Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazuri

Covered in Style

Polo’s are everywhere, more than I can remember seeing in one season, but more interesting as a hijabi is the way they are layered. I picked the polo-neck as one of my Reverts Essentials Wardrobe top 10. Now it seems that fashion has taken a very Muslimah friendly turn by showing us new ways to layer it. It actually opens up a whole new realm of wardrobe possibilities, think short sleeved shirts over polos.

Pick of the Best

My favourites are Max Azria and Alexander McQueen (as always), the way they layer seems natural and soft. Nearly every look in both collections had this kind of layering (I’ll be doing a full Fall post in Azria soon!).

Hadith of the Day

“Seek out remedies for your ailments, O servants of God, for God has not created a disease without creating a corresponding cure.” Imam Ahmad

Shine Through

Showing that sequins can be chic, but I think only in moderation. I’d definitely drop the fur, and go for a simple jacket and headscarf and toned down accessories. You’re making a big enough statement without adding bling! Perfect for a girly gathering!

Good Little Actions

Listen to Qur’an throughout the day, on your way to work or college, or just in the background as you drift off to sleep.

Hadith of the Day

“Speak the truth even though it be bitter” Ibn Hibban

The Content of Character, Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazuri

Don’t forget to vote for your look of the week!

Pool Party Style

You lovely girls have probably noticed that I love Chris Benz, his style has an achingly cool look about it. For Spring/ Summer his collection was loose and vibrant. Luckily for us Muslimah’s this meant that there were a lot of Hijab style looks to get inspiration from. It also had a sort of D.I.Y. put together vibe so why not try mixing and matching, wearing oversized tees and turning pretty party dresses into maxi skirts.

Clever Colour Blocking

His 2009 resort collection was equally as relaxed with more instantly wearable looks. With colour blocking and loose layers he managed to hit trends without looking like he even tried. I particularly love his maxi skirts, they are simple but beautifully designed.

Fall Finesse

And a look at his next collection, a selection of more grown up silhouettes and delightful multi coloured prints which injected an element of fun. Again the long skirts are the highlight for me, I absolutely adore the sequined skirt (bottom right), and for a Muslimah a beautiful maxi skirt is always treasured!

(images: style.com)

If you haven’t seen my Hijabi Skecthbook: Chris Benz edition you can check it out here. Or search the site for more Benz goodness!

Good Little Actions

Read a hadith or surah and its meaning then put it into practical example the next time the situation calls for it. (I’ve added one a day to make it easier for you!)

Hadith of the Day

“To acquire some useful knowledge is of greater merit than to perform a hundred devotional prayers voluntarily.” Ibn Majah

The Content of Character, Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazuri

Don’t forget to vote for your look of the week!

Abaya Alert

So many designers opted for long sleeves and maxi hemlines this coming season. I was spoiled for choice when putting this together (so much so I had enough for 2 parts). Lanvin has absolutely stunning gowns that with a possible inch or two added to waistlines would make beautiful abayas. My favourite above has to be Alexander McQueen (easily guessed) and to see more from his collection visit this previous post.

(images: style.com)

Daily Dose of Islam

The first 10 days are filled with mercy so make du’a. I’ll give you some little ideas of simple actions that can increase your reward (and try to stick to my own advice too!)

• Pay a sister a compliment, make her smile!…

Hadith of the Day

“After obligatory rites, the action most beloved to God is delighting other Muslims.” At-Tabarani

Taken from “The Content of Character” a beautiful book of hadith collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazrui