I got this lovely email from M:
…I have a request for one (or more) BCS posts. I know you like Michelle Obama’s style. I do too, though she wears a lot of dresses and I find that difficult to adapt into my own life. (I don’t wear hijab but I do try to cover my arms, legs, etc.)
But in terms of strong, intelligent, and beautiful women leaders, I also like Queen Rania of Jordan. She wears a lot of dresses too but I’ve seen pictures of her wearing other outfits that do cover up. She also has a classic, polished style that I would like to imitate in my work wardrobe (but on a law student budget.)
That is exactly what I’m here for!
As I told M in response to her email, I’ve been toying with some time for a “Modern Muslimah” sub-category in the Business Casual Superstar series. I love pencil skirts and short dresses as much as the next girl, but that’s NOT what I wear in public.
Fashion options for Muslim women that cover their arms and legs are limited. We’re not wearing mid-length skirts. We’re not wearing tee-length dresses or sleeveless tops or anything like that. We’re generally limited to pant-suits and long blazers and sleeved tops, things like that. But there’s no reason that we can’t still look purdy.
So, I’m finally adding that Modern Muslimah series to the blog. I’ve got a bunch of looks already planned out, but we’re kicking it off with an outfit inspired by Queen Rania of Jordan, per M’s request.
And Jesus Christ, is this woman a looker. Observe.
Gorgeous, isn’t she? Arab women are so pretty.
Check her outfit. She’s really not showing very much skin at all. She’s got a half-sleeved belted military coat over a beige turtleneck, with wide leg pants and presumably some shoes under there. It’s not a difficult outfit at all to recreate, as you can see:
Double Breasted Cardigan ………. $27.80
Chaps Turtleneck in White ………. $15
Solid Flare Trouser ………. $22.80
Button Ankle Boots in Black ………. $20.98
Tribal Wrapped Bangle ………. $4.80
FINALLY, you guys, an outfit Mama Hoomster would adore! She’s a picky broad, but this would meet with her satisfaction. Thank God, too, because my magic location-telescope, the mystical all-healing apple, and this stupid flying carpet (HA! More like a flying bathmat; can’t believe I paid 200 dinar for it) sure as hell haven’t gotten me a later curfew,Β much less her approval.
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But if I wore this out, I’m sure Mama Hoomster would put her pearls away for the day, because she wouldn’t need to clutch them in horror. Good for Mama Hoomster’s pearls – they deserve a break. They’ve been working hard since 1986.
Anyway, I picked this belted cardigan instead of a coat, which is harder to find, and more costly. It’s got a military-inspired look, though, just like the Queen’s, and it’s in a lovely brown-olive color. Because beige wouldn’t work as well with a warm olive sweater as it does with the Queen’s cool olive coat, I went with a white turtleneck and black wide-legged pants.
The thing with wide leg pants is that you have to wear a chunkier heel. Stacked heels are kind of coming back, bless them, so that’ll do just fine. Wedges will work, but you want to avoid pencil heels and flats, because the goal is to balance out the shape of the wide pants.
That’s why we (and the Queen) have this belted look going on up top, too. You want to cinch it in at the waist to give your silhouette some shape, and balance it out with a chunky heel to avoid looking like you just slipped on a garbage bag and called it a day.
I picked these boots with the cute little buttons and the thick heel, but oxfords would have worked, too. I added the black bangle as the last touch, and there we have it: an outfit fit for a Queen, a Muslim woman, and, frankly, anyone that’s just plain cold.
Like me.
(Inside and out.)
I swear my toes are just going to fall off and run away. Winter sucks. Let’s throw things at it. Who’s with me?!
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You guys are never with me.
I am ready to throw things at winter.
I am a big fan of Queen Rania, the outfit is uber chic and looks cozy.
Nice post, thanks!
Aw, thanks for the reply. π You’re most welcome.
And how ridiculous is it that I’m sitting here in a warm house with a blanket AND a cup of hot tea and I’m still cold?! Damn Chicago! I just feel so bad for all the strays that are out in the cold. π¦ They’re so stubborn, though. You couldn’t PAY them to come inside the house.
Heh. I wonder what cats would do with money. Probably arrange it in piles and stare at it.
thats a really cute look…great idea for the modern muslimah look! i love the idea..but umm can you please try to incorporate long skirts into the look too?!?!? cuz my look 99.99% of the time is long skirts.. and long cardigans dont look that great because of my shortness..im about as tall a fifth grader. (maybe thats an exaggeration but not by much) π allrighty then ok…so great post
noor
Long skirts are among my planned looks. π I think the first long skirt look will be posted later this week. And yeah, I’m short too. π
Thanks so much for this! I was hoping you’d pick this picture, because I’ve got a question for you – double-breasted clothing items look weird on me. I know it’s military-inspired, but do you think I could go with single-breasted and still have roughly the same effect?
Thanks again! This is a big help, and I’m looking forward to the rest of your Modern Muslimah series. π
The thing about military inspired things are that most of them are double breasted. I’ve never really been a fan of the double breast myself, but I’ll tolerate it depending on how much I love the item otherwise. Got any single-breast examples in mind? I think the effect would probably be a bit different, but the look would be pretty similar. Does that make sense? π Or if all else fails and you’re really not feeling the double breast, go for a belted cardigan with buttons. It’d be a bit more casual than a double breast, I want to say, but it also depends on what the actual piece looks like. π