Without Burning Up

When Paris was sunny and cold, perfect jacket weather.  You know I was once told that buying jackets was fruitless, it’s either raining or sunny (in the UK that is), I had thought there was some truth to that, but a few years of ever-changing weather taught me that them there were lies.  A jacket, especially a lightweight one, is like a good shirt or cardigan, but better in that it adds structure without the bulk.  I’m sure a billion people have this exact same H+M jacket thanks to my friend/foe consumerism, but it is a good case in point.  I made the mistake of not bringing any jackets over here to Malaysia, in fact I’ve become further entrenched in the pro-jacket camp because I think a good jacket can weather any climate.*

*Ah blogs, loyal friend to the pun.

The Statement Jacket

Put it with a long black maxi skirt and headscarf you’ll have one hell of an outfit. I’m desperate to find a leather jacket and I think this has got to be one to aspire to. It’s just heart pumping goodness.

Fall 2009 Collections

So Slick

The sleekest of the sleek, these jet jacketed looks are the pick of Autumns collections. So there’s just one question: Which look gets your vote?

Maxi Skirt

Understated Statement

This is such a beautiful and understated look, the full length skirt in particular is so elegant but manages to sit somewhere between evening and casual. The whole look works really well, just cover with a a cardigan or jacket and add a headscarf and you’ve got a beautiful muslimah outfit.

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(image: justjared.com)

More from Paris

The Verdict

It was my first time wearing this outfit. I bought the trousers (Zara) a little while ago and wasn’t really sure how they would look. I have to say I now officially love harem pants. They are so easy to wear, especially in the city. I don’t know why but I always feel trousers are more practical when I’m doing a lot of walking. I can’t actually think of any good reason why except for the ‘gust of wind’ factor that any hijabi in a maxi skirt will be aware of!

There will inshAllah be a super comfy pair of harem pants in the MAYSAA collection, I should be getting the factory sample any time now, exciting!

Without the jacket

Harem pants and white tunic both Zara, Jacket by Versace (quite a few years old now), Green scarf from Morocco, Hijab headscarf worn under hat available at MAYSAA soon inshAllah!

Olivia Palermo

Modest Day Wear

For day wear go for her choice of wide leg jeans or soft tailored wide leg trousers (rather those super skinny leggings). Team it with a soft shirt, loose sweater or a simple t-shirt. Even if it’s not long sleeved you can do like she does and cover it over with a lightweight jacket or pretty cardigan. If you’re not a trousers sort of person go for a long skirt take a look at my artists impression here.

Maxi Dress Glamour

For a special occasion, or those times when you want to feel fancy the quickest course to modest elegance is with a maxi dress or abaya. With an abaya you can dress it up with a statement cropped jacket (something with structure). For the maxi dress choose a simple blazer or bolero. The base should be pretty simple, Palermo tends to start with a simple elegant base and builds it up with the accessories. I’m not talking lots of bling, just one key necklace or bracelet and of course a beautiful bag.

Style Analysis

In terms of her style, she loves draping with jersey or chiffon. In the evening she adds sparkle with… well sparkle, sequins or satin- but it’s never top to toe, just accenting the outfit. She does go for bold prints but doesn’t really mix them, instead, if she goes bold with the print she minimizes the accessories and tones down the extras. The key is in the detailing, little things like bows, belts, texture and fringing details make the look interesting without being a slave to trends.

In a sentence: Keep a simple basic outfit, experiment with statement jackets and jewellery and top it off with a big funky bag.

Hadith of the Day

“Exchange gifts, and mutual love arises: shake hands, and enmity will fall away.” Ibn Asakir

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

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

4. Wide leg trousers

Finding trousers that are loose enough to cover the hips can be tricky, but once you’ve found a style that suits they can be very useful for making tops, tunics and even mini dresses hijab friendly. Go for wide leg pleat front trousers or the harem style (word of warning: ones with a really low crotch are almost impossible to pull off so go for ones based on the style). There are quite a few around on the runway, but may be slightly harder to find on the high-street for my full guide click here.

5. Wrap Dress

Another item of clothing I wear over and over again! Because the are wrap around you can make them as loose as you like and become very versatile. Wear them fully tied, tied on one side, fully open, over trousers, skirts even abayas, as a jacket… you get the point there are lots of ways to work it out! These are easily found on the high-street and a lot of people will already own one.

6. Tunic

Tunics seem to be made for hijabis! They are modest in their shape but still very feminine and elegant. A main-stay in resort wear collections grab them in summer while you can. The only winter alternative is a long sleeved shift dress, but summer is the best time to get the prettiest prints and detailing. Because they tend to be very light-weight you can get away with wearing long sleeves underneath, but actually a lot have full length sleeves to begin with- yay! Don’t you just love love love the Matthew Williamson tunics, if anyone bought from his H&M collection send in your pics!

7. Knee length jacket

A muslimah spends a lot of time trying to cover up tops that show too much shape, of trousers that cling to the hips. For those days when you’re just popping out for groceries a long jacket hides a multitude of hijab ‘hot-spots’. Whether it’s a warm winter coat or a paper thin mac they are readily available and can come extremely well designed. And would it be so wrong for us to throw on a trench over our pajamas to throw out the rubbish?

After our top 3 countdown I’ll be throwing together some looks with the headscarf using our big top ten- if you have any ideas of your own send them in to hana@stylecovered.com

runway images: style.com

Muslimah Style: The jacket was created by StyleCovered reader Asri

Meet Asri

24 year old Asri has been wearing hijab for 4 years, her chic and girly design shows you can still be modest in your own personal style.

“… I’m still learning how to wear

hijab and still look stylish…”

The floral details make it a perfect spring statement

If you have something you want to share with StyleCovered readers then send it in, details are on the ’send tips and pics’ page. I’d love to hear from you!