Silhouette solutions

This week, we’re going to focus on silhouettes. I can’t talk about silhouettes without also talking about body types as they go hand and hand in many cases, however the main focus of the next few blog posts will keep silhouettes as the primary focus.

There are a vast number of ways dresses and abayas are cut, shaped and draped but some of the most popular ones are: A-line, empire, mermaid, sheath, and ballgown.

https://accent.sg/blogs/editorial/dress-silhouettes-for-different-body-types

Contrary to the popular societal standard, the goal is not to accentuate

Khadeejah Abdushakur

Sometimes, many times, while we are navigating the journey of covering more, or dressing in way we believe to be more religiously acceptable, we make a b-line for two things: abayas, or maxi dresses, if we don’t want to plunge headfirst into abayaland. Let me stop here for a second and say that regardless of how something fits, if it’s a step up, it’s a step up, alhamdulillah masha allah. We aren’t in the shame game over here. If you’ve made the transition from showing skin to a body-hugging maxi dress that shows no skin, ALHAMDULILLAH. Our journeys are so individualized to us, and it’s very hard to grow in the publicity of the social media spaces without judgement and critique. This is a shame free safe zone over here. We are here to learn and grow. And because this is a lifelong journey, know that we will slip and fall, stop, go backwards, you are human. We are human. Perfection is not the goal. Effort is. Intention is.

Contrary to the popular societal standard, the goal is not to accentuate our “best” assets with our clothing, which makes it VERY difficult to buy clothing from mainstream brands or Muslim brands who adhere to the mainstream standard. But it’s not impossible and there is hope, and I am here to help. In the image above I’m wearing a sleeveless, straight maxi dress from Boohoo with an open front butterfly abaya from The Abaya Company London. I took these photo’s in the house but if I want go out comfortably in this fit, I’d fasten the abaya closed with a clip because while the dress is not extremely fitted, it’s giving more than it needs to give.

Layers on layers

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but while it wont always be required, get comfortable with layering, it’s going to be your best friend while figuring out which silhouettes work best for your body to give you the coverage that you’re looking for. Depending on how a dress, or shirt for that matter is shaped, you may not need any layers to be fully covered, without your shape showing. I’ll share some of my favorite styles that don’t require layering later, insha allah. Layering allows you to wear the dress you love without compromise or looking sloppy because you sized way up hoping for a looser fit.

Did I mention that the mainstream “style for your body” guidelines will be of little to no hope for the modest aspiring gal because they focus accentuating body parts, making something look fuller, while making other parts appear slimmer. How do they phrase it? “to balance out the body” i.e, make everyone look like an hourglass because that is of course the only desirable body type (that last part is sarcasm btw).

Stick with me, i’ll show you a thing or two.

Until next post,

Love ya!

How to Cover in a Sustainable Way this Ramadhan

Peace and Blessings Beloveds,

Ramadhan Mubaarak!

I know many Muslims take a hiatus from social media during Ramadhan, to focus on their spiritual growth but this year, I’ve felt called to contribute something to the social media space, specifically during Ramadhan.  As the title above states, How to Cover in a Sustainable Way this Ramadhan. Now, sustainable here is not referring to eco-friendly fashion, baby steps. When I talk about dressing modestly in a sustainable way I mean, being able to style yourself in a way that you can maintain without feeling burnt out, stuck, uninspired and returning to “easier”, less modest options.  Ramadhan is just the starting point, but it is my hope that we can build on the momentum created in this month.

Sadly, little grace and understanding is offered to Muslim women as they begin to navigate their modesty journey. Not everyone was swathed in fabric from head-to-toe fabric since infancy… probably black, brown or grey, and if you’re a little spicy, navy blue. Dressing modestly does not come easily to most, especially in societies that cater to the male gaze i.e the world. I have to stop and credit my mother, who is a little rebellious and undoubtedly put her foot and made sure there was some kind of balance to mine and my sisters fashion styling. I can’t recall a time when I didn’t wear hijab, the colloquial term for the Muslim woman head covering by the global Muslim majority.  

Whether you were born Muslim, converted, Muslim curious, trying to release yourself of the chokehold of bodycon dresses, wherever you are if you have a genuine desire to cover more, this just might be the space for you.  Welcome.

I’ve spent YEARS curating my personal style, battling with what some might call body dysmorphia, and trying to dress myself in a way that feels good, is authentic to me and in accordance to my understanding of what is required islamically. It has not been and easy so journey, as you’ll come to find out, but I cant wait to share what I’ve learned, and continue to learn on this life long journey of fashion, body acceptance and Muslim womanhood. So glad you’re here. See you soon.

I guess i have some explaining to do..

So here I am, sitting here on a random Tuesday thinking about the blog that could have been. Then I thought, what if it still could be. Those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram @ feistea.kat, then you might be wondering where I’ve been all these years. Who am I kidding? You’ve forgotten all about me. If we’re being honest, I’ve forgotten a little about me to.

So here’s a quick and dirty run of the last few years.

So yeah, we have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you’ll forgive me for my absence. My theme for this year is reclamation so here I am reclaiming something meaningful.

Sit down and strap in. It’s going to be a wild ride!

Love Ya!

Khadeejah

Vending table for Kovered in Joy!
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