5 WORKWEAR OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE MUSLIMAH

So 5 years ago, we here at Moda by Maryam realised that it is extremely; tear- inducingly difficult to find clothing that have both features of corporate attire and modesty.

Supposedly, this may be because in traditional Muslim cultures, women don’t work in conventional office spaces and thus gravitate towards wearing more comfortable, flowing fabrics than the fabrics and designs which provide the structure and tailoring that is most associated with office wear. For instance, it is much easier to find a casual Abaya with embroidery or a festive looking one with stones, pearls and sequins than it is to find a tailored Abaya with collars, cuffs and pockets.

In Nigeria (the birthplace of Moda by Maryam), It is normal to see a lady in Ankara (African print) and headgear in office spaces. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, more and more organizations are setting restrictions on such clothing and encouraging more conventionally corporate looking attire. Now if you have EVER tried to shop for modest clothing that fulfil this both home and abroad, then you know how much of a nightmare that can be!

Luckily, if you are reading this guide you have come to the right place. ALHAMDULILLAH!  At Moda by Maryam, our primary focus is to provide dresses that have a tailored look to them and yet fulfil the requirements of modesty with longer hemlines and sleeve lengths.

They can easily be paired with a hijab to give it a corporate-modest look. There are different types of ensembles we can bring together to achieve this. Here are some of the more common ones below!

1).THE MODEST WORK DRESS

We start with the modest work dress because it is the easiest to style. One can easily pair it with a hijab and voila! “Official looking ensemble”. Think A-line cuts and slim wudhu friendly sleeves. Think blues, greys and black minimalist clothing, think chic!

2).THE DRESS AND JACKET

The beauty of the dress and Jacket pairing is that one can instantly turn any kind of dress (even casual ones) into a corporate outfit by wearing a Jacket with  it. Sleeveless dresses can also be worn in this way. The type of jacket or blazer to be used would depend on the dress being styled and the occasion. However, it is safe to say we should each have, a black, Maroon, Tan and grey Jacket handy at any given time.

 3). THE MODEST POWER SKIRT SUIT

When one thinks about a powerful woman, the customary image that comes to mind is that of a lady in a suit. While wearing a suit is not the most comfortable as an everyday attire, there’s just something about someone wearing one that is harder to dismiss. So for that all- important interview or out- of- office meeting, a power suit is a lady’s best option. As a Muslimah its adviceable to wear a blazer that covers the derriere better when wearing a skirt that is form fitting or of a straight style. Alternatively, one can use a shorter length blazer with a flared skirt.

4). THE PANT SUIT

 The Pant suit is not very common in more conservative Muslim societies. However, one     can use a long  blazer  (longer than what one would choose to pair with a skirt); preferably below the knees or at calves to be worn along with loose pants. Alternatively, one can use a long (knee length or longer) tunic top with pants. Think dress coats! Think outercoat style! Think Palazzos!

 5). THE TOP AND SKIRT

Conventionally, this combination is the most easily accessible for modest wear because one can pair together a maxi skirt and a long sleeved top from almost any mainstream women’s wear brand! However, many maxi skirts from orthodox brands are not always as long or as loose as we would prefer them to be.

So there you have it! The many options for a pain free modest office wardrobe. Thank you for your interest in our brand. We hope to grow until we are able to cater to all our wardrobe needs as working Muslimahs  .In sha Allah