I have moved to : http://hijabiii.com/

A pink outfit and a few announcements...

2011-03-19T01:15:00.000+05:00

dresses and skirts by shums featuring a leather ruffle handbag

This will be the last post I'd be writing from this url, Hijabiii is going to turn one on the 20th ! Therefore to celebrate it's first year the blog would be getting a new url http://hijabiii.com/ . If you have linked Hijabiii on your blog make sure you change the link to the new url though this one would be redirecting you to Hijabiii's new home it won't be doing so for long.

Get ready for some exciting giveaways as well! The first giveaway would be launched on the 20th so make sure you drop by that day. I'd be posting updates on Hijabiii's facebook and twitter accounts so keep checking them for updates~

Do you want to take part in the coolest online hijabi fashion event of the year? Then hurry up and send in your submissions before the 2nd of April! For more details on how to enter check the LoveHFW website by clicking here.

I hope you liked the outfit I posted. I simply love the colours of the dress and the skirt. This outfit would be great for an evening party. What do you think?

Hijab friendly wear : Zeena

2011-03-16T15:34:00.000+05:00

Zeena is a clothing company based in the US and their designs can be described in these four words : 'elegant' , 'demure', 'modern' and 'modest'. Zeena launched their first collection on Spring 2011 and hopes to become the designer that those who want to go for the modest and demure look can depend on. Take a look at some of their creations for yourself :

Tops:

Skirts :

Scarves and jewelery :

I simply love the colourful necklaces and cuff bracelets!

Here are a few featured looks styled by Zeena :

I simply love the first and third looks (from the left).

To view more of their pieces visit their website by clicking here.
You can follow then on facebook by clicking here and on twitter by clicking here.

I loved all the pieces from Zeena, what did you like best? Would you wear any of their designs?

Exotic hijabs : Zaharah

2011-03-15T13:27:00.001+05:00

Zaharah is a hijab manufacturing company in Malaysia and one of the largest online stores specializing in only hijabs and hijab accessories. Zaharah deals in hijabs both wholesale and retail as well and has a wide range of hijabs ranging from simple slip on style hijabs to sequined and embroidered shawls as well as a range of hijabs especially made for kids in an array of fabrics. Take a look at some of their hijabs for yourself :

Slip on style hijabs :

Fabrics such as lycra, cotton and chiffon are used for these hijabs. I simply love the layered hijabs in the picture and it is quite easy to wear these you just have to slip it over your head.

Shawls (rectangular hijabs) :

Under caps (worn underneath the hijab):

I use the bonnet caps that could be tied from behind. I simply love the layered caps and the gathered one with rhinestones.

Hijab accessories :

Simply love these sparkly headbands!

Kids hijabs:

You can view more of their hijabs from the website by clicking here.
You can also follow them on facebook by clicking here.

I simply love the hijabs from Zaharah as I have ordered a few of my hijabs from Zaharah a few months ago.

So what do you think of Zaharah hijabs? What kind of hijabs and hijab accessories do you usually use?

Ways to wear your silvery grey abayas

2011-03-14T16:34:00.000+05:00

Like I mentioned in my previous post I'm quite obsessed with grey looks these days so I decided to write a blog post on how you could accessorize your grey abayas. Nammi from the lovely blog Chillies and Lime also requested on how to accessorize a silvery grey abaya so here you go. Take a look at the grey abaya looks I've made. I've used this abaya from Aab for all my looks.

Since grey is a neutral colour it can pair with almost any colour but it looks best with these colours and prints for me :

Grey-pale blue :

Grey-pale blue by shums featuring ballerina flat shoes

In this look I've paired the silvery grey abaya with shades of light/pale blue. It gives a soft yet classy look. I've used a silky light blue scarf together with a pale blue satchel like bag and comfy blue flats and a single, thin, blue bangle. This look is great as a morning outfit, for work/ to go out.

Grey-Pale pink:

Grey-pale pink by shums featuring high heel shoes

This is another soft, girlish look. I've paired the silvery grey abaya with a silky pale pink scarf and a beautiful set of bangles in silver and pink together with an elegant floral ring and a quilted bag and pink heels. This would be a great morning/early evening outfit prefect for work/ tea with the girls!

Grey-Maroon :

Grey-maroon by shums featuring a cashmere shawl

I personally love this colour combination and it is perfect for dressy occasions. I've paired the grey abaya with a maroon pashmina together with a pair of heels in the same colour shade. I've then added bits of gold to the outfit to give it a bit of a shine. The gold bangles and the multilayer gold bead necklace makes the outfit prefect for an Indian themed wedding or for date night!

Grey-Honeycomb Yellow :

Grey-honeycomb yellow by shums featuring pink scarves

A super colourful and shiny outfit. I've paired the grey abaya with a bright yellow scarf together a pair of yellow gladiator heels and a large satchel like bag of the same shade. I've jazzed up the outfit with silver bangles and a silver multilayer necklace to give it a boho-like vibe. This outfit is great for an evening outing.

Grey-leopard print-black :

Grey-leapord print-black by shums featuring leopard print shoes

Grey and leapord print make a great combination especially when paired with plain black accesories! I simply love the kitten heels and the comfy bag! This is a somewhat girlish yet edgy outfit perfect for a night out with the girls.

Grey-Purple:

Grey-purple by shums featuring heel boots

This is a great look for a wedding/ party at night, I've paired the grey abaya with accessories of deep purple and hints of silver.

So what did you think of these looks? How would you wear your silvery grey abayas?

Another grey look

2011-03-13T20:32:00.001+05:00

Yesterday I spent the evening out with my fiance'. Later I went to celebrate the birthday of a very dear friend. This was what I wore. A wrap style grey abaya with a black crepe shawl worn with large round earrings a pair of comfortable flats and I finished off the look with a large, black patent clutch. I tried to wear the earrings with the hijab using one shawl. It came out quite well and I'd be posting a tutorial quite soon.

I'm in to grey looks these days and since grey is a neutral colour it can be easily matched with any colour of your choice. However I find these grey combinations really great :

grey-maroon
grey-dusty pink
grey-pale blue
grey-plum/purple

Alternative views of my outfit:

For more details about my outfit (stores/prices) visit my LOOKBOOK page.

What did you think of this outfit? What would you wear for a similar occasion?

Abaya Inspiration : Imaan Collections

2011-03-12T12:19:00.000+05:00

Imaan collections is a UK based Islamic clothing company that specializes in abayas and abaya-like wear. Their collection is divides in to four types of wear namely : urban, cosmo, glamour and bridal. Their designs mainly based on Indo-arabic designs . Their bridal and glamour collection especially has a lot of indian embroidery,bead and mirror work done on then with trousers similar to the shalwar kameez worn underneath. I love all their abayas, take a look at their collections for your self :

From their Glamour collection :

From their Urban and Cosmo collections :

From their Bridal collection :

I simply love this oyster pink bridal abaya :

To view their whole collection you can visit their website by clicking here.
You can also view their facebook fan page here.

I love all their abayas especially their glamour and bridal collections! What did you think of their collection? Would you wear them?

Styling your hijab IX

2011-03-10T18:49:00.002+05:00

I'm back with a new hijab style which is perfect for a dressy occasion or even as a bridal hijab if you use the right colours and fabrics. This is similar to my Styling your hijab IV tutorial but in this hijab style I'm using my layering technique and therefore two shawls are used instead of one.

Things you need for this hijab style are:

A bonnet cap (preferable in lace as satin caps tend to slip from your head especially if you have straight hair)
One rather broad shawl (plain/ printed - your choice)
One narrow shawl (plain-printed - your choice)
Two safety pins
A lot of hat pins/bob pins which match the colours of your shawls.

Note: If you have chosen one printed shawl it's advisable to use a plain shawl for the second shawl as the prints may tend to clash, however if you are someone who can combine prints and rock the look you are quite free to use two printed shawls. It's also great if you could use one shawl of a dark shade and one shawl in a light shade as the hijab style would look great if you used two contrasting colours.

How to wrap the hijab :

Step 1 : Tie your hair in a bun, tie the lace cap securely over your hair keeping the bun in place. Pin the broad shawl around your head as shown in the picture. Make sure you leave a tiny bit of the shawl hanging from one end.

Step 2: Now place the narrow shawl over the broad one leaving a little space as shown in the picture.

Step 3: Pin the shawl near your chin and make sure you leave a short end and a longer end when pinning the narrow shawl as well.

Step 4: Now take the longer end of the broad shawl that you have pinned underneath and wrap it around your head leaving a little space to show a bit of the lighter coloured shawl underneath.

Step 5: Pin the shawl at the top of the side of the head as shown in the picture.

Step 6 : Repeat step 4 with the lighter coloured shawl which is now underneath the darker one which you previously wrapped around your head in steps 4 & 5. Make sure to leave a little space again to show the shawl underneath. There should be 4 layers seen on top of your head.

Step 7: Now pin the shawl you just wrapped on the top of the side of your head like you did in step 5.

Step 8 : Now take the two end of the shawls that you have pinned on the side of the top of your head as shown in the picture.

Step 9: Twist both ends together to form a plait as shown in the picture. Make sure you twist the two shawls together tightly.

Step 10: Put a hat/bob pin at the end of the plait to keep both shawls in place.

Step 11: Now twist the plait in a circle like shape once on the side of the top of your head to form a flower as shown in the picture and secure the flower you just created with hat/bob pins.

Step 12 : Now take shorter end of broad shawl that you pinned first and pull it back a little.

Step 13: Adjust the broader shawl so that is covers the back of your neck and hangs a little bit from behind to look modest enough for you. (This is why I told you to use a broad shawl!).

Step 14: Now take the shorter end of the narrow shawl you pinned and pull it to the front.

Step 15: Now drape that end of the shawl in a way that it covers your chest and pin it on the opposite side as shown in the picture.

Step 16 (optional) : If you don't like the two ends of the flower your pinned on the top of your head to hang loosely you can loosely twist them a bit and pin it to your shoulder area as shown in the picture.

The finished hijab style :

What do you think of this hijab style? were the steps difficult for you to understand? Would you wear your hijab like this?

Niqabi brides

2011-03-09T16:27:00.000+05:00

A while back while browsing through a facebook group dedicated to weddings in Maldives I came across a picture of a niqabi bride and some very rude comments about the bride's clothes written below. I was appalled at such behavior by people and frankly quite angry. Then I remembered the proverb "empty vessels make the worst noise" and decided that people were making fun because they actually didn't know anything about the niqab or how people around the world wore it. So I decided to write this post. Wearing a niqab / covering your face doesn't mean that you cannot look good on your wedding day! Every girl (niqabi/hijabi/ or non hijabi) would want to look their best on one of the most important days of their life and not everyone has to wear their head/ face cover the same way. I don't think that any of us has the right to laugh or make fun of a bride just because she is a niqabi bride who wanted to look a bit different and at the same time cover her face. Enough of the lecturing for now! take a look at these lovely ladies who have chosen to cover their faces from around the world and how they dress up for parties/ weddings/ even to just go out :

You would have noticed that in some of the pictures the hijab/head cover isn't worn properly and that the face cover itself is quite transparent so keeping this in mind we can try to wear our hijabs covering our hair properly and use opaque niqabs and yet try some of the looks shown above.

Some niqabi brides tend to look like a block of one colour because they use the same colour for their whole outfit. It would look better if you toned down the look and mixed a few similar colours together to create niqabi bridal outfits like these :

Simple niqabi bride look:

Simply niqabi bride by shums featuring diamond engagement rings

In this outfit I've used white for the abaya and then a dusty pink/nude shade for the hijab, niqab, shoes and accessories. So that the bride would look sweet and elegant and not like a block of white.

Dressy niqabi bride look :

Niqabi Bride by shums featuring diamond jewelry

In this look I've used a coral pink jalabiyya with golden embroidery and a brown hijab, brownish gold niqab together with dull gold accessories to create an elegant, oriental niqabi bride look.

Here are a few bridal niqab tutorials I found on facebook, they look quite good :

So what do you think of these bridal niqab looks? how would/ did you wear your niqab on your wedding day?

Four ways a hijabi can rock a pair of jeans

2011-03-08T23:34:00.000+05:00

I love jeans. A pair of jeans is a piece of clothing that you can dress up or down. For example you can wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to go to the supermarket or you can wear that same pair of jeans and a frilly top with a few bits of jewelery for a night out. Either way, jeans make a good combination with just about anything. However I'd like to add that there are different types of jeans, some tight fitting, some loose and its important to keep in mind that being a hijabi modesty comes before anything else when one dresses. Today, skinny jeans are a popular trend and if you are a hijabi it's important to remember that these skinny/slim fit jeans tend to expose the shape of our legs and thighs and therefore wearing a longer top/dress along with that pair of jeans would help to tone down the look and look modest at the same time. Here are a few looks with jeans that I came up with that a hijabi can sport. I've used different types of jeans in different shades. Some looks might look modest if a smaller made person was wearing it and it all depends on the person's stature and build. One important thing I'd like to add is that the longer your top/dress is the better when you are wearing a pair of jeans/pants.

Look 1 :

For this look I've used a pair of wide legged jeans in dull blue and paired it with a vest-like tunic top worn over a cream coloured shirt which is slightly longer than the tunic top thus covering the bottom and your crotch area which is important especially if the jeans is a low cut one and tends to show off your skin if you bent down or raised your arm in the case where you were wearing a short top/ one with a long slit on both sides.

Note: Unlike what is shown in picture the scarf should cover the hair and neck and chest.

Look 2 :

In this look I've used a pair of skinny/slim fit jeans with a dress worn over a grey shirt. I like to use coloured shirts when layering instead of just the usual black or white. I think that it gives the outfit a unique touch.

Note: Unlike what is shown in the picture the scarf should cover the hair, neck and chest and it would look better if the dress was slightly longer than in the picture.

Look 3:

I love this look especially because I've layered the peacock blue stain dress with a long blue cardigan,I think it brings out a very modest feminine look especially with the multi layer necklace and the floral scarf and I simply adore those heels!

Note: The scarf should cover the hair, neck and chest unlike what is shown in the picture.

Look 4:

This is also another of my favourite looks. I've paired a pair of brown skinny jeans with a peach bat wing tunic top worn over a brown turtle neck top together with a large belt, faded pink peep toe heels and a large clutch and a dusty pink hijab.

Note: The hijab should cover the hair, neck and chest unlike what is shown in the picture.

What do you think of these looks? What would change? How do you normally wear a pair of jeans?

Hijabi style inspiration : Tanya Weekes

2011-03-07T19:49:00.001+05:00

While browsing through LookBook profiles I stumbled upon Tanya's page and I knew that I must share her style with you all. Tanya has recently started wearing the hijab and her hijab styles and outfits are simply elegant and one of a kind! Check out her looks for yourself :

Everyday outfits :

Dinner/ Party outfits:

And I'm in love with her nikah outfit! So simple and elegant :

You can join Tanya's page on facebook or follow her on twitter or take a look at her looks on LOOKBOOK.

I loved all her looks! What do you think of Tanya's style? Would your wear anything similar to the outfits above?

I try to dress casual from time to time

2011-03-05T19:15:00.000+05:00

I love to dress up for parties and weddings and even add a little glamour to my evening outfits but I try to dress casually too from time to time. On Thursday my fiance' and I went out for breakfast. This was what I wore. I wore the same grey abaya on this post where I had dressed for work. This time I've toned down the formal look and added a black crepe hijab with a brown lace border to the look along with sneaker type flats, a comfy, colourful shoulder bag and a pair of sunglasses. For more details on this outfit (Stores/prices) visit my LOOKBOOK profile.

Alternative views of my outfit:

So what do you think of this outfit? How do you dress for casual outings?

Abaya Inspiration : Arabesque Abayas

2011-03-04T12:52:00.001+05:00

Arabesque is a an abaya company based in the U.A.E. It's creations are designed by designer Judith Duriez who has been working with French haute couture Labels before she moved to the middle east thus the line "Abayas and Sheila's with a french touch" stuck with the brand name. Arabesque abaya collections are known to set the trends and standards for abayas for the season. Take a look at their designs for your self :

You can visit their website by clicking here.
I love the elegant detail of their designs! What do you think? Would you wear anything similar?

Things that inspire me at the moment.

2011-03-02T23:32:00.000+05:00

hijabi bride by shums on Polyvore.com

I'd like to thank all my readers once again for your lovely replies on my wedding dress post which proved to be very helpful! I am planning to make my wedding dress inspired by a design which some of you suggested Insha Allah. I'm super excited about it though the day is still months away but I wanted you all to know how grateful I am for your help!

So at the moment things that inspire me are white wedding gowns, lace, tulle, silken bags and I absolutely adore the vela bridal hijab~! I hope some of you (who are brides to be) will find the above look useful.

On another note , this month marks one year since I started blogging and to mark my first year as a hijabi fashion blogger I have some surprises in store for you which I'd be updating quite soon on Hijabiii's twitter and facebook accounts. For those of you who don't know yet, you can follow Hijabiii on facebook by clicking here or follow @Hijabiiiblog on twitter .

I'd also be very happy if any of you who have been brides (masha Allah) would give me any advice about my upcoming marriage and wedding (Fashion advice as well as life advice!) You can leave it as a comment at the end of this post.

Keep checking facebook/twitter/the blog for more updates about Hijabiii's first anniversary!

Hijabi style inspiration: Dina Toki-o

2011-03-01T00:56:00.000+05:00

Dina Toki-o is an up and coming fashion designer from the UK and her designs are simply breathtaking and very original! Her clothes aren't for sale at the moment however it might be available for purchase sometime this year insha Allah. Dina's hijab styles are also cute and very chic! Take a look at the designer herself wearing some of her designs :

You can become a fan of Dina Toki-o on facebook, follow her on twitter or be up to date with her looks on lookbook.

What do you think of her designs? I simply loved all of them!

An evening out

2011-02-27T12:34:00.001+05:00

I went out yesterday and this is what I wore. I'm in to all black looks these days so I paired this ball gown style abaya which I also wore on this occasion with a black and beige paisley printed hijab, a pair of black and beige buckle flats, a large snakeskin clutch and a large ring. For more details of my outfit (stores/prices) visit my lookbook page.

Alternate views of my outfit:

What do you think of this outfit? What would you wear for an evening outing?

Become a fan of Hijabi on facebook by clicking here!

Hijabi style inspiration : Yuna Zarai

2011-02-26T12:14:00.002+05:00

Yuna Zarai is a Malaysian Independent singer/songwriter and a fashion icon for a lot of hijabis out there. She also owns a unisex clothing boutique. Yuna has a unique and fresh take on hijabi fashion and what I like most about her fashion sense is how she weaves bright colours and maintains the perfect colour balance in her outfits and her signature hijab styles that are completely modest and yet very chic! Take a look at her style for yourself :

(Photos from Yuna Zarai's lookbook, facebook fanpage and from http://yunazarai.tumblr.com/)

You can become a fan of her page on facebook or follow her on twitter and tumblr and find out more about the above looks from her lookbook page. You can also visit her boutique IAMJETFUEL online by clicking here

I simply loved all the looks especially the dressy ones she had worn for events! What did you think of her looks? would you sport anything similar?

Three ways to look good in a maxi skirt

2011-02-24T15:48:00.001+05:00

I simply love skirts! Be it a mini or maxi or mid length one, I believe that a skirt is a great piece of clothing for a hijabi. For this post I've chosen three different maxi skirts and accessorized them to look hijab friendly :

Look one:

Spring morning by shums on Polyvore.com

For this look I've used a skirt with an abstract design on top and paired with a cotton, ruffled blouse and a pair a of sky blue pumps and a pink hijab and bag. The outfit consists mostly of the shades pink, white, blue and a hint of purple now and then.

Look two:

Cosmic love by shums on Polyvore.com

For this look I've used a plain brown skirt with a silky peacock blue blouse and paired them with a pair of peacock blue pumps, a golden-brown silky turkish hijab and a deep golden-yellow over sized clutch. This outfit is perfect for a dinner party or any other similar occasion.

Look three:

An afternoon in Paris by shums on Polyvore.com

This is my favourite look from the three. I've used black, white, grey and a hint of pink in the outfit and it is a simple look that you can sport for an afternoon/evening out shopping/visiting friends.

What do you think of these looks? Would you/do you wear anything similar?

Hijab friendly bridal wear: Princess Arabia Muslimah Bridal

2011-02-21T00:26:00.000+05:00

I stumbled upon this facebook page while browsing for hijabi bridal wear and I was immediately taken with their designs. Princess Arabia Muslimah Bridal provides not only classic white wedding dresses but elegantly embroidered bridal jalabiyyas and exotic, brightly coloured lengha cholis as well. Take a look for yourself :

Classic white wedding gowns:

I simply loved the third, fifth, and sixth gowns. I think a coloured sash on a white wedding dress looks extremely chic and elegant. What do you think?

Bridal Jalabiyyas :

If you are searching for a more dressy and regal look, these jalabiyyas would certainly inspire you! Raw silk and chiffon overlapping each other together with intricate embroidery with shiny silken threads would certainly give the queenly elegance every bride should deserve!

Bridal lengha cholis :

If you are going for an Indian/Pakistani look, a beautifully tailored lengha with long sleeves is the perfect choice! These outfits usually worn by brides of the Indian subcontinent are usually in bright colours like red/ pink/ yellow/ orange/bright blue with colourful embroidery together with bead work and mirror work done on the hems, sleeves, necklines , skirt and shawl/veil. These outfits are complemented with exotic, dark indian make up and jewellery which include chunky necklaces, bangles, rings, earrings and toe rings.

What do you think of the above bridal looks? Which look did/ will you go for?

Dressy hijabs

2011-02-17T16:44:00.000+05:00

Here are a few ways I wear my hijab for dressy occasions. I usually use a black shawl as a base for almost all my hijab looks as it is easy to blend with all colours and due to the fact that most of my abayas are black.

Look 1 :

For this look I used a plain black crepe shawl and a silky two toned yellow shawl. I twisted the yellow shawl and tied it around my head after pinning on the black shawl first. Then I wrapped the black shawl and took the remaining ends of the yellow shawl and draped it on my head securing the ends with a brooch which I pinned to a side.

Look 2:

For this look I used a plain black crepe black shawl and an applique, beaded shawl with smocking at the end and wrapped both shawls one over the other.

Look 3:

For this look I used a plain black shawl with an applique, beaded, shawl of a different shade with smocking at the end and wrapped one shawl over the other and I took the end with the smocking and draped it over the top of my head securing the end with plain hat pins of the same shade as the shawl.

The coloured shawls of looks 2 and 3 were made by a local tailor and not bought.

What do you think of these looks? How would you wear hijab for a dressy event?

Four ways a hijabi can rock a jumpsuit

2011-02-14T16:29:00.004+05:00

I'm not a big fan of jumpsuits but since jumpsuit looks are very much in fashion now I've decided to put together a few hijab friendly jumpsuit looks. First take a look at a completely hijab friendly jumpsuit look that was showcased at the Colombo fashion week this month:

Here are a few jumpsuit looks that I've created:

Look one :

A comfortable white,cotton jumpsuit was paired with a belted woollen cardigan together with a pair of silver pumps, a bag of the same shade and a printed scarf.

This somewhat casual look is ideal for visiting friends/ shopping.

Note: This hijab is meant to cover the whole head and not leave a part of your head uncovered as shown in the picture.

Look two:

This vintage jumpsuit has been paired with a long,black vest, a multi layer necklace and black boots together with a black hijab and a large brown convertible clutch. This somewhat boho look is ideal for meeting up with friends, an excursion to the museum/library etc.

Note: The hijab is supposed to be worn over the head and should cover the neck unlike what the picture shows.

Look three:

This comfortable jumpsuit has been paired with a navy blue bodysuit worn underneath,a brown belt together with a pair of brown sandals, a dusty pink scarf and a purple tote bag. This look is ideal for a trip to the seaside or for an evening out with friends.

Note: The scarf should be worn over the head and should cover the hair and neck unlike what is shown in the picture.

Look four:

This satin jumpsuit has been paired with a long sleeved,checked shirt worn underneath and a long,black,leather vest which is worn over the jumpsuit together with a pair of plum coloured,satin pumps and a black tote together with a plain black scarf. This look is ideal for work.

Note: The hijab should be worn over the head, covering the hair and neck unlike what is shown in the picture.

Which jumpsuit look did you like best? Do you wear jumpsuits/ will you consider wearing a jumpsuit with hijab?

The Hijabi Fashion Week is officially open today! check it out by clicking here.

Stylish Blogger award

2011-02-12T22:54:00.004+05:00

Alhamdulilah I've been awarded the stylish blogger award by the lovely sister Zarina Hassem from the blog Muslim Women Exposed (take a look at the blog girls its a great read masha Allah!) Thank you so much sister! Your blog has some great articles on very useful topics Muslim women (and men) face everyday! Alhamdulilah for your great work!

There are some rules connected with these Blogger-awards and they are here:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave me the award
2. Share seven things about myself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers to tell them of their award

Now I'd like to share 7 things about myself:

I love to read historical novels and watch bbc mini series based on classics
I was a teacher for children and young adults with disabilities for 2 years.
I am twenty two years old.
Though I'm from Maldives, I've spent most of my life in Sri Lanka (A country very close to Maldives).
I'm 5'2 in height
I love cooking but I'm not very fond of sewing.
I have three nephews and four nieces.

Now I'd like to award 15 great bloggers I know (in no order whatsoever) :

Shaha : lil Fashion diary
Yousra : under your abaya
Dreamer: Blog of an American Muslim girl.
Em : Modesty theory
Seyma: Hijab revival
Sakeena: Hijab style guide
Coco : Coco's pearls
Fatin : Fatin Liyana
Aimi: Fountain Of Youth
Nadia: Singapore Hijab girl
soso: Hidden in style
Yara: Muslimah's Musings
Lavendergirl : A Lavender girl's babblings
Nammi: Chillies and Lime
Rawza: Raw Stuff

Enjoy the blog award girls~!

Hijabi Fashion Week : blog launch

2011-02-08T13:23:00.000+05:00

Hijabi Fashion week which was held on November 2010 is back! This online worldwide hijabi fashion event will be held once again twice this year. The event promises to be a bigger and better event with many more participants and much more exposure to the online community than last year. Hijabi Fashion week is an online fashion event with bloggers from around the world. The event is held for one week where it showcases the hijabi outfits of each blogger's choice under a specific theme for the day. The event was hosted by Em at her blog Modesty theory last year and this year HFW would have it's own website which would be launched on the 14th of this month (Monday)!!! You can visit the website from the 14th of February by clicking here.

Watch HFW's promotional video which features last year's HFW participants :

Here is a recap of my outfits for HFW last year:

You can find out the latest happenings on HFW by liking their fanpage on facebook and following them on twitter

I enjoyed last year's HFW tremendously. Will you join HFW this year?

Creative ways to style your hijab

2011-02-01T23:19:00.000+05:00

Today I tried styling my hijab with a few corsage brooches that I had but I had never actually worn. I was surprised to find how great they looked with my hijabs. Personally I prefer small and middle sized brooches but large corsage brooches looked great as well when worn with the correct colours and hijab.I also tried wrapping a metal multi layer necklace around my hijab and it ended up looking great. Take a look at the hijab styles yourself:

Look one:

To create this look, I wrapped a simple crepe black shawl underneath and then loosely draping the pink shawl over the black shawl and then I pinned the brooch somewhere near my temple.

Look two:

Here I have wrapped my hijab in this style and I've used a lace bandanna together with a large brooch of the same shade. I pinned the flower on my shoulder this time, pinning a large brooch closer to the face would make the face look smaller and the brooch look larger so large brooches should be pinned away from your face.

Look three:

For this look I wrapped the hijab in this style and pinned the flower on a side of the top of my head. I love the colour of hijab especially against the black shawl. Honeysuckle pink is also the colour of the year 2011.

Look four:

I wrapped the hijab in the above photo similar to how I have wrapped the hijab in look one. Then I wrapped a multi layer metal necklace around my head leaving the layers to drape behind my head as shown in the second smaller picture in the above look.

What do you think of these hijab styles? How would you style your hijab?

Hijabi looks for the season - Spring 2011

2011-01-31T13:09:00.001+05:00

The Pantone colour theme for Spring 2011 consists a variety of bright and exotic colours such as coral rose, beeswax and shades of blue like regatta and blue curacao. I love it! Here are a few spring hijabi looks I put together:

Honeysuckle

honeysuckle by shums featuring a longsleeve tee

Ladies, pink is back! Bright shades are especially in for this spring, so take out those pink items from your wardrobe! Pair them with bright reds/blues or neutral brown tones as shown in the look above. I love the one shoulder bright pink dress and the bag. Perfect for a dressy evening event.

Russet brown

russet brown by shums featuring lace tops

Shades of brown are perfect for tanned/olive skin tones. I love wearing different shades of brown and mixing these shades with other colours. The above look would be perfect for a casual day outing. I simply adore the basket bag and the dress.

Coral rose

coral rose by shums on Polyvore.com

Shades of orange would look great with contrasting colours such as blue. Make sure you keep both colours balanced in your look to get the desired effect. I found out that mini dresses worn over skirts gives a girlish, maxi like look similar to the malaysian 'baju kurung'.

Regatta blue

regatta blue by shums on Polyvore.com

This particular shade of blue pairs quite well with black, white, bright red and burnt yellow. I have chosen a blue-black-white look.The plain ruffled blouse looks great against the printed maxi skirt.

Pea pod green:

peapod green by shums on Polyvore.com

This shade of green is perfect for day wear and pairs well with slightly contrasting colours or with different shades of green. Try going for vintage looks of this shade such as silky, flowing maxi dresses or floral kaftans/tunics. I simply love the hijab in this look!

Blue curacao

blue curacao by shums on Polyvore.com

This shade of blue pairs well with darker shades of blue and green. The above look is a simple tunic and pants hijabi look jazzed up a bit with a few pieces of jewelery. I adore the shoes in this look!

Beeswax

beeswax by shums on Polyvore.com

This bright shade of yellow looks great with shades of green/blue and even better with burnt purple and plum. Try to balance both colours to get the desired look.

Lavender

lavender by shums on Polyvore.com

I love this shade of pale purple! It pairs well with colours like grey/silver,black white or pale pink. If you want to go for a soft, girlish look this is a great colour to wear.

Silver peony

silver peony by shums on Polyvore.com

This shade is another great choice if you are going for a soft girlish look and it pairs well with neutral brown shades and white. The above look would make a great work outfit.

Silver cloud:

silver cloud by shums on Polyvore.com

Silver is a great colour to wear at night. Try wearing it with a black/white combination. The above look would make a great outfit for a girls night out!

What do you think of this year's spring colours and the looks above? Which look did you like best? How would you wear the spring colours?

Aab's 'Name Our Hijab' competition‏ winner!

2011-01-27T19:50:00.000+05:00

Read Aab's press release :

The winning name of Aab's fantastic 'Name Our Hijab' competition poll was 'Sakura' - which was suggested by Fariha M Khan, who wins a £84.99 Oolong Abaya and the new £25.99 'Sakura'Hijab. http://www.aabuk.com/sakura-730.html

In Japan, the cherry blossom tree, or “Sakura” is known to be an exalted flowering plant. The graceful beauty of the hijab and the hues of white, pink, and brown in its patterns are reminiscent of the “Sakura”, the tree known to be an emblem of the coming of spring, love, and affection in popular Japanese culture.

The Facebook competition and poll was a great success and Aab would like to thank all the readers of your Hijabi blog that contributed. Aab hope to have further giveaways soon to reward fans of the fabulous Aab brand.

Congratulations Fariha M. Khan! Sakura is a wonderful name for the hijab masha Allah!

Looking forward to more giveaways from Aab!

Niqabi looks

2011-01-25T22:37:00.004+05:00

You might think that there is only one way to wear a niqab, but you are wrong! There countless stylish and modest ways you can cover your face, Most niqabis prefer to use a separate garment to cover their face but some niqabis prefer to cover their faces using their head scarf.

There are different types of niqabs (face veils) :

The two piece niqab which consists of a piece you throw over your head and the other piece covers your face leaving an opening for your eyes as shown in the picture.

The three piece niqab that has a slightly transparent layer after the first layer that enables the wearer to cover her eyes and see at the same time as shown in the picture below:

The one piece niqab that has the main layer that covers the face and a band with velcro/buttons at the end to enable the wearer to fasten it around her head (this is present in all the niaqbs shown above as well).

There are several other different types of niqabs as well, some prefer to wear different colours other than black :

Here are a few niqab tutorials you might want to try out, this one shows us how to cover your head and face using a single pashmina shawl :

This is one cute niqab style that is somewhat to the double shawl hijab wrap that wear :

I simply love the second style and how colourful and elegant the niqabi looked!

I hope all you niqabis and niqabis to be found this post useful!

How do you wear your niqab?

Bridal hijabs

2011-01-22T21:00:00.001+05:00

Preparing for your wedding means that you'd spend a lot of time searching for wedding dress designs, bridal hijab designs, vendors, etc. I've stumbled upon many bridal hijab designers this way, however sadly most of them aren't from Maldives. Facebook is a very good place to search for bridal hijab designers, some of their hijabs are simply breathtaking and judging by the look of these hijabs it isn't very easy to wear either and one would require the skills of a professional to pull of looks such as these :

These designs are from a Turkish designer.I simply love the colours and the fact that they have used a variety of fabrics and not just stuck to silk/satin, the accessories look wonderful as well. Check their facebook page for more designs.

For the sisters in Melbourne Australia you are very lucky masha Allah. I found two hijab designers from Melbourne:

These hijabs are done by sister Dianne Assad, I love the colours of these hijabs! Check her facebook group here.

These designs are also from a designer/s in Melbourne Australia known as Hidden beauty Hijab designs check their facebook fan page here. I simply love the brown hijab with the shells, it looks so pretty and creative!

For those brides in Maldives, Ruhy designs bridal hijabs, the following pictures are some examples of her work:

I'm not sure how I would wear my hijab for my wedding yet, what do you think? What would/ did your bridal hijab look like?

Hijab friendly wear: Vela Clothing

2011-01-16T23:37:00.000+05:00

Vela Clothing is an up and coming clothing company based in the UK which specializes in long coats/ Jilbabs , party wear, wedding dresses and accessories such as silken Turkish style hijabs and quaint and dainty party sandals, handbags and clutches.Their designs are simple and elegant, the long coats/ Jilbabs have been inspired from Turkish designs though the fabrics used for these coats aren't as heavy or as thick thus making them wearable for people living in milder climatic conditions. The black crepe abayas that are usually available in the markets are sometimes not very suitable for the climate in the UK, thus with this in mind Vela clothing went on to design a range of Turkish jilbabs which would confirm with the dress requirements of a Muslimah as well as provide professionalism and elegance to the Muslim woman in the workplace. Take a look at their designs yourself:

Jilbabs/ Coats:

Hijabs:

Bags and foot wear:

I simply loved the intricate detail in the jilbabs and the sparkly clutches!
You can view more of their collection by clicking here. You can also follow Vela clothing on twitter

What do you think of the designs by Vela Clothing?

I need your help!

2011-01-15T01:12:00.000+05:00

bride in abaya by shums featuring studded handbags

Arleen Bridal Shoes
60 GBP - monsoon.co.uk
Bridal shoes »

Jessica Simpson Escape Studs Clutch
$65 - endless.com
Studded handbags »

ASOS | ASOS Pearls Slinky Bracelet at ASOS
10 GBP - asos.com
Pearl bangles »

The Unique Jilbaab Beautiful Off-White
65 GBP - al-hijaab.com

Floral Verde LLC
floralverde.com

Alhamdulilah I'm getting married in a few months and I'm at a loss for what to wear! I don't fancy the tight wedding gowns that I see many brides wear these days since I wear the abaya and I have tried searching for suitable wedding gowns for hijabis online only to find just a handful. Most hijabis usually wear something underneath/ over a strapless wedding dress or modify short sleeved/ sleeveless gowns. What would a girl who wears an abaya wear on her wedding day? If you do come across a suitable dress/ jalabiya which you think would be ideal for an abaya wearing bride, just post the link of the website/picture as a comment. Your comments would mean ALOT to me dear readers and I hope it would help all the abaya wearing brides to be out there as well insha Allah!

What would you/ did you wear on your wedding day?

Pretty in pale pink

2011-01-12T15:18:00.002+05:00

I went to the national library with shaha yesterday. This was my first visit to the national library and it was fun browsing through the many bookshelves. This was what I wore: a plain black abaya with narrow sleeves and a pale pink floral cotton hijab, a pink floral tote and a pair of comfortable purple flats. I love the bag, it was a gift from someone very special and I used to carry it work quite often. For more details on my outfit (shops/prices) visit my LOOKBOOK link.

What do you think of this outfit? What would you wear for a similar outing?

Take a look (if you already haven't done so ) at my post on shopping for hijab friendly clothing in Maldives by clicking this link.

Five random hijabi looks

2011-01-09T14:54:00.006+05:00

Here are five casual/semi casual hijabi looks you can sport for this week:

Look 1: Is a very casual look with a loose colourful sundress paired with a navy blue cardigan, an orange hijab and a pair of blue straight legged jeans and patent black pumps together with a quilted bag and a leather belt. This look can be ideal for a shopping expedition, going out with your friends or any such similar not too formal occasion.

note: the hijab must cover the head unlike what the picture shows, looklet sadly doesn't have the head covering feature in most scarves. Straight legged jeans are a more modest choice for a hijabi especially in this case where the hemline of the dress is above the knees.

Look 2: A rather formal look which you can wear to work; a colourful blue blouse worn over a grey bodysuit and paired with a grey jersey skirt and finished off with a patterned grey and blue hijab, black pumps and a blue quilted shoulder bag. This would make a perfect and comfortable work outfit or to any other slightly formal occasion.

note: the hijab must cover the neck unlike what the picture shows. Make sure you wear something underneath the skirt as jersey tends to show off the shape of your legs/ underwear at times. Long skirts are always a good option for hijab friendlywear.

Look 3: An ideal look for a party or girls night out. This cute pink wrap style dress was paired with a black body suit worn underneath and a pair of comfortable pants that aren't too tight. A large black clutch and glittery pink and black oxfords together with a patterned black and white hijab makes up the whole outfit. This outfit give a very girlish and elegant vibe.

note: the hijab must cover the head unlike what the picture shows, looklet sadly doesn't have the head covering feature in most scarves. When wearing skinny pants make sure it isn't too figure hugging or make sure the dress /top is long enough to cover your thighs.

Look 4: An ideal look for work /meeting friends for bruch or tea. The look compliments the neutral tones of brown and beige with a hint of pink in between. A satin floral blouse is worn over a beige sweater and finished off with a pair of dark brown flared pants, a large brown clutch of the same shade, a beige hijab and a slightly darker pair of patent pumps.

note: the hijab must cover the head unlike what the picture shows, looklet sadly doesn't have the head covering feature in most scarves. Flared, loose pants are a more modest choice for a hijabi especially in this case where the model has worn a shorter top.

Look 5: This is a great look for meeting friends at night/ for date night. A long sleeved elegant black dress is worn with a pair of slightly faded jeans together with a velvet hijab and the outfit is jazzed up with a pair of red gladiator heels and a shiny red shoulder bag.

note: . Straight legged jeans are a more modest choice for a hijabi however try to wear jeans that aren't too figure hugging. Go for jeans that are a bit loose and comfortable.

I haven't added jewelery to these looks but a few bits of jewelery here and there would give each look the perfect final touches.

So which of these looks will you sport? Where will you wear it?

Abaya inspiration : Faid Islamic clothing

2011-01-07T01:36:00.002+05:00

Faid clothing is an Islamic clothing company founded on October 2010. Faid's main focus is to design and make trendy and modest clothing for the muslim woman enabling her to maintain her modesty and be fashionable as well. Their mission is "To make modest fashion more accessible for Muslim women". Take a look at their wonderful designs for your self:

Faid also makes snap on button hijabs which look unique and trendy and is quite easy to wear :

For more information visit Faid's facebook page.

Did you like the dresses? I sure did! They had an elegant vintage feel to them.

HFW (Hijabi Fashion Week) update:

For those of you who aren't familiar with HFW click to view my HFW posts or Em's HFW posts.
The HFW facebook fan page is up and running! Become a fan now!
For those readers with twitter accounts follow @Love HFW on twitter!

Hijabi Fashion Week is a global online fashion event held twice an year for hijabi bloggers from around the world.

Will you join this year's Hijabi Fashion Week?

Shopping

2011-01-03T15:34:00.001+05:00

I went shopping with my sister for kids clothes today. It was fun, there are some cute designs for kids now compared to the times when I grew up. This is what I wore to go shopping today : a tight sleeved black abaya with a printed chiffon shawl which not from a ready made hijab shop but some material cut and stitched in to a rectangular hijab. I carried a patent black shoulder bag with a chain strap and wore a pair of black and white striped flats which are very comfy and ideal for walking long distances. For more details on my outfit (shops/prices) check my LOOKBOOK link.

What do you think of the outfit? What do you wear to go shopping?

I can wear earrings if I want to

2011-01-02T01:09:00.000+05:00

This can be a great look for a dinner party. I've paired this ball gown style abaya which I also wore on this occasion with a plain black shawl and sequined brown shawl with a pair of gold gypsy earrings. Click this link to find out how I wore the hijab. I carried a black satin clutch and wore a large gold ring, gold sequined flats and finished off the look with some dark eyeliner. What do you think?

More views of my hijab :

For more details of my outfit (prices and shops) check my LOOKBOOK link.

Thank you all so much for the votes~! I won the best Fashion blog of 2010 award from the Sisters Who Blog network. :) I'm really touched by all the support from all of my lovely readers and followers~! <3

A splash of colour

2010-12-29T21:11:00.000+05:00

I went to my brother's place this evening to spend sometime with my nephews and niece (yes I am an aunt of several nephews and nieces! ) This was what I wore; a tight sleeved plain black abaya , a pastel coloured hijab and a cloth flower necklace which I got from this online store which has many more cute accessories like this one (certainly worth a look!) and a pair of black flats laced with a baby pink ribbon and I carried a white tote. For more details on this outfit visit my LOOKBOOK link.

What do you think of this look? What do you wear when you go visiting?

PS: Please vote for Hijabiii at the best blogs award, Hijabiii is nominated for the best fashion blog, you can go to the voting page by clicking this link.

2010 Best blogs Award

2010-12-28T11:58:00.002+05:00

Best blog awards organized by Amber Misk from the Sisters who blog Network is about giving the bloggers credit for their work, the Network promotes connecting with Muslim sisters all around the world who blog giving the chance to inspire each other.

The different blog categories for which blogs will be awarded are:

Best Islamic Blog
Best Food blog
Best Art and Crafts blog
Best General blog
Best Fashion blog
Best Motherhood blog
Best Teen blog
Best New blog

Hijabi has been nominated for the the best fashion blog read my post on the 2010 Best Blogs Award site here and vote for me by visiting this link dear readers~!

Check out the other cool participants ;the blogs are certainly worth a visit! There are bloggers from all around the world masha Allah.

Obsessed with red

2010-12-26T16:00:00.001+05:00

I went window shopping with Shaha yesterday. It was fun, we browsed through many shops. Outfits with a lot of lace, puffed sleeves and vintage prints seem to be in these days. This was what I wore; a batik crinkled shawl, a tight sleeved black abaya , my favourite pair of crocheted black flats and I carried a large red convertible clutch. I love the colours of the hijab because it has different shades of red and I'm obsessed with red these days and also because the hijab doesn't require any ironing. lazy me.haha! For more details on this look (stores/prices of the items) check my LOOKBOOK link.

What do you think? What do you wear when you go window shopping/shopping?

Hijab friendly wear: Kayra Clothing

2010-12-25T13:09:00.001+05:00

KAYRA is a clothing company based in Turkey, made famous by its unique designed mantles and coats in 1992 KAYRA went on to become one of Turkey's most famous textile industries in 1998. KAYRA produces a large variety of hijab friendly clothing from coats, to dresses, skirts, trousers and jackets. Take a look for yourself:

rad more about KAYRA here,become a fan on facebook or follow KAYRA on twitter.

So what do you think? Would you consider any of the above looks?

Basic shawl wrap

2010-12-24T11:03:00.000+05:00

This is a very simple, basic way of wrapping you rectangular hijabs :

What do you think? Would you wear your hijab like this?

Aab's 'Name Our Hijab' competition‏

2010-12-22T21:39:00.000+05:00

Aab is giving us a chance to win a fabulous abaya and hijab when we enter Aab's 'Name our hijab' competition! Read their press release below.

Aab's Facebook fans can win the new Aab Hijab (£25.99) and the best-selling Oolong Abaya (£84.99)!!!!! All you have to do is send us a name for the Hijab and send it to competition@aabuk.com with your name, Hijab name suggestion, and email address.

The best names will be then posted on an online Facebook poll at the very start of 2011. Members of the Aab fan page will then be able to vote for their favourite name! The poll will be launched when Aab feel they have enough great Hijab names to be featured in the exciting poll.

Similar free giveaways will be considered by Aab, depending on the success of this competition...so please join the fan page and get involved!

To join the fan page and get involved in the competition visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aab/22901824198

To find out more about Aab and their fantastic range of hijabs and abayas visit: http://www.aabuk.com

So hurry! Put your thinking caps on and give it a try!

Storing your hijabs

2010-12-22T16:33:00.000+05:00

What is the best way to store and organize your hijabs without messing everything up? I use the IKEA komplement multi use hanger to store my hijabs. You can purchase it online here. This hanger is very useful for storing hijabs because it doesn't take up much space and can store up to 30 hijabs with ease and is especially handy if you own a lot of silky and light scarves . For those hijabis in Maldives try the home decor shops that sell ikea products I got mine from one of those shops.

People also use the following to store their hijabs:

How do you store/organize your hijabs?

Hijab friendly wear: Laki boutique

2010-12-21T15:55:00.004+05:00

LAKI is a designer label dealing with hijabs, hijab friendly clothing and accessories based in the U.A.E. LAKI was founded by designer Asma Alami who likes to describe her extremely chic and modest outfits as : "spirituality in style". The designs for LAKI speaks of sophistication and style together with modesty, faith and culture. Take a look for yourself:

Some of their recent collections which were showcased this year:

Read more about LAKI here. Become a fan on facebook or follow LAKI on twitter.
I loved the two toned dress from her latest collection. What do you think? Would you consider any of the above looks?

Office chic

2010-12-20T16:01:00.000+05:00

Here is a modest and elegant work wear outfit I put together. I love the colours of the blouse and the wide legged pants. Hope you like it :

Front view:

Back view:

What do you think of the outfit? Would you wear anything like this to work? What kind of hijabi outfit do you wear to work?

Four ways to look Fabulous this month

2010-12-19T16:35:00.000+05:00

In Maldives, many weddings are held at this time of the year and choosing and dressing up for weddings and other such dressy occasions is something that I love to do. Here are a few outfit ideas for a party:

It's all about glitter and glamor in this outfit. If you are a person in to shiny looks, this might be just the one for you. A glittery maxi skirt together with a similar tank top and a glittery cardigan to wear over add a matching shawl, a pair of cute sandals a clutch and a few pieces of jewelery and you are all ready to go!

I am in love with bright red these days, hence the red outfit.Mix and match the bright red dress with a sequin trimmed cardigan, a matching hijab and a few bits of jewelery and end up looking bold and elegant at the same time!

It's all about the pale, pastel shades in this look. Mix and match this gorgeous gem of a maxi dress with a matching cardigan, hijab and accessories and give yourself a 'fairy princess' look!

For all those who wear the abaya, give your abayas a bit of colour for the occasion! Mix and match this black and turquoise abaya with a matching hijab and other accessories and you are sure to end up looking fabulous~!

What do you think of these looks? Would you wear anything similar?

If there is a will there is a way.

2010-12-16T17:33:00.003+05:00

Just wanted to share these pictures of some awesome hijabis with you all. Whoever said that wearing a hijab is a hindrance to one's hopes and dreams?

Remember that :

Dazzling red ~

2010-12-11T18:47:00.002+05:00

This is my favourite abaya, especially for dressy occasions.I designed it myself. It has a full, round skirt and looks rather "ball gownish" and rather Victorian. I've paired this abaya with a bright red satin shawl and a plain black crepe one which I've wrapped in this style. I've also added a pair of satin flats and a sequined clutch of the same shade of bright red.

More views of my outfit:

For more details of this look (where I got my accessories and their prices) check my LOOKBOOK link.

What do you think of this look? Would you wear something like this?

Styling your hijab VIII

2010-12-09T17:55:00.002+05:00

It's been ages since I tried out a new hijab style. Two days ago I was invited to an 80s theme party and I decided to give my hijab a new look. I used a leopard print shawl together with a black crepe shawl and matching pins for the look. It's somewhat similar to this style however there are a few minor differences.

What you need to create this look:

Two shawls, (once slightly broader/longer than the other if possible) of different colours or patterns. It's up to you to choose according to the colour/design of your outfit.
Lace cap (to wear underneath)
Safety pins (to pin both shawls near the neck)
Hat pins that match with the shawls you have chosen.

How to wrap the shawl:

Tie lace cap securely around your head.
Pin both shawls on on top of the other (remember to leave a little space on top of the head while pinning the second shawl so that the colour of the shawl underneath can be seen,) IMPORTANT: take one end of both shawls UNLIKE the instructions in this style and pin the two shawls like this:

Just leave a little bit to make it easier for you to pin the shawls using a safety pin.

3. Now take first shawl (the shawl underneath) and wrap it around your head leaving some space to show the layers below like this :

4. Now take the second shawl (the one that is now underneath) and wrap it around your head leaving a little space to show the layers below like this:

There should be four layers as seen here:

5. Now take the shawl that is underneath and loosely drape it around your neck and pin one end of it on top of your head like this:

6. Now take the shawl that is now underneath and loosely drape it , pinning one end of it on the top of your head a little lower than where you pinned the first shawl :

Now pull and adjust the shawl to cover the chest area and make sure the shawl drapes your back properly in a way that looks modest enough and doesn't look odd.

The finished hijab style:

Do you like this style? Would you consider a look like this?

Your feed back is very important! Was it very difficult to wrap the shawl with the instructions given in this tutorial?

Bridal Hijab Inspiration.

2010-12-07T19:37:00.001+05:00

Here are a few pictures I got from a Turkish bridal hijab website. The icy blue of the dress is breathtaking! Take a look for yourself:

Apart from the fact that the dress is a bit too tight to wear with such a short hijab style, I simply love the whole look~! What do you think?

Abaya Inspiration : Ashyana Designs

2010-12-04T15:59:00.000+05:00

Ashyana Designs is an abaya manufacturer based in the U.A.E. I came across their group and Facebook and was immediately in love with their unique designs. Take a look for yourself :

I especially loved the first one in green. You can also follow Ashyana Designs on twitter.

What do you think? Would you wear these abayas ? What would you like to change?

What I wore for Eid ul Adha

2010-11-28T19:16:00.000+05:00

I know that this post is a bit late, I've been rather busy as you know with hijabi fashion week and all that. This is what I wore for Eid ul Adha. A white crepe abaya with dark brown/purplish embroidery and I paired this with a purple hijab and clutch together with satin flats of the same colour. What do you think? Would you wear a white abaya for eid?

Styling your hijab VII - via Lavendergirl

2010-11-25T10:00:00.012+05:00

Another hijab style post! This style looks cute and very appropriate for formal or 'dressy' occasions. Thank you Lavendergirl for sharing this hijab style with us:

Last week I was really bored and was browsing through the YouTube to find a style with the shawl, which is easy to wrap but beautiful to see. I loved a style where she made a headband out of her shawl.

I tried that style with my shawl and modified it to cover my chest.

Things you need for this style:

A shawl (without Fringes)

A Brooch and pins

A cap (Optional if your shawl isn’t see-through)

* I advise you to use another plain black shawl to cover your chest, if the shawl you use for this style is too short to cover your chest area.

How to wrap the shawl:

Step 1: Wear your cap (you can ignore this step if your shawl isn’t see-through.

Step 2: Put your shawl on top of your cap with one part longer.

Step 3: By using a safety pin or a small brooch, tie two parts around 4 inches above the point where I was holding in the picture 2.

Step 4: take the smaller end to the same side as the longer part & twist well, as shown in picture 5.

Step 5: take the twisted part as shown in picture 6 and Pin it well so that it doesn’t get untwisted on its own.

Step 6: Take the longer side down your chin & around your head as shown in pictures 8 and 9.

Step 7: Take the end of the longer side and pin it at the point shown in the picture 10. (You can decide this step. If the shawl you are using is long enough to end on your shoulder, pin it there. So that It will cover your chest area well. If not, wear another shawl underneath to cover your chest area.)

Finished Hijab style:

This is my current favorite Hijab style. It actually doesn’t take much time when you get used to it.

So, what do you think about this style? Do you like to give it a try?

Once again, thank you Lavendergirl for sharing your hijab style with us! I'm definitely giving this a try~!

A holiday look and an Important Notice!

2010-11-24T12:18:00.002+05:00

Em from modesty theory who hosted HFW and the rest of us who participated in the Hijabi Fashion Week would like your feedback regarding this event and we would appreciate it if you could spare us a few minutes to answer a few questions here. Remember this is very important to make the next Hijabi Fashion Week even better.

Hope you like the look I've included in this post. This is meant to wear for those who are on holiday, preferably to a warmer, coastal region. What do you think? Would you wear something like this? What would you change?

Indian Elegance via Lavendergirl

2010-11-22T10:25:00.001+05:00

Lavendergirl has been rather busy lately with preparations for her graduation. For her graduation photoshoot she wore an Indian style Saree along with a hijab and wanted to share the pictures with all of you hijabis out there. If you ever want to wear a saree with a hijab, lavengergirl's style might just be the thing for you :

She has draped the saree in such a way that the pleats come on front and covers herself quite well which also enabled her to wear a short hijab style with ease.

I love Lavendergirl's style, don't you? What do you think?

Hijabi Fashion Week Day:7 The Cup of Life (Running Errands)

2010-11-21T09:03:00.005+05:00

Running errands such as going to the corner shop or supermarket, picking up my niece from school with my sister etc, can be a difficult time to actually plan what to wear. I usually throw on a plain black abaya with a soft, "flowy" material (that doesn't require much ironing) and a silky slightly creased chiffon hijab (that doesn't require any ironing either!) and carry a soft and a plain black, somewhat spacious shoulder bag which would easily carry my wallet, sunglasses, phone and a few extra things depending on the occasion.A comfortable pair of flat shoes is essential for me for these occasions as I usually walk to places.

What about you? what would you wear when you are running errands?

Now go and check Em's blog for more hijabi fashion inspiration!

And a big thank you to all those who voted for my PAXON: wear it your way looks! :)

PS: This week has been the best and most eventful week for my blog. Thank you to everyone who visited and commented on my posts and a big THANK YOU to Em from modesty theory for organizing this event! It certainly did rock!!

Did you enjoy Hijabi Fashion Week? I sure did!

Hijabi Fashion Week Day:6 Lovestoned (Date Night with the Hubby/ Hubby to be)

2010-11-20T09:03:00.004+05:00

When I go out to dinner with my fiance' I usually dress up in something special and 'dressy'. This maroon wrap abaya is perfect for date night and I have paired it with a black crepe hijab,a black and gold bead necklace,a satin black clutch with swarovski stones and black patent flats with a shiny heart design,a large clam shell shaped ring and a pearl ring. For make up I'd use a black eyeliner and bronze and gold eyeshadow and voila I am ready for date night ~!

What do you think? What would you wear for date night?

Now go and check Em's blog for more hijabi fashion inspiration!

Don't forget to vote for my looks at the PAXON : Wear it your way contest. by clicking the "like" button under the pictures labeled http://hijabiii.blogspot.com/ (Remember that you have to become a fan of PAXON before you can vote) and stand the chance of winning a fabulous abaya from PAXON.

Hijabi Fashion Week Day:5 Flavor of the Week End (Weekend Wear)

2010-11-19T09:03:00.004+05:00

If I plan to go shopping / meet up with friends during the weekend I'd wear something more casual and relaxed than what I wear during the week. My two toned blue and black jilbab would be perfect for such an occasion. The jilbab is made of a soft black fabric and a softer version of a "denim" like material and it is perfect for day wear as it is loose and very comfortable. I'd pair the jilbab with a black crepe hijab and a small studded denim tote with crocheted black flat shoes and may be a pair of black sunglasses if it is too sunny!

What do you think? What would you wear during the weekend?

Hijabi Fashion Week Day:4 Vacation is Where I Wanna Be ( Vacation / Holiday)

2010-11-18T09:03:00.002+05:00

For vacations people here usually go on picnics with their families to an island or simply to the beach. Having that in mind I decided to put together an ensemble suitable for a picnic to the beach. This is my take on what an abaya wearing hijabi would wear to a picnic. A plain black A-line abaya with a brown tasseled hijab and an applique ruffled woven straw tote crocheted flats and you can add a pair of sunglasses to the ensemble and you are ready to go!

What do you think? What would be your choice of vacation wear?

Hijabi Fashion Week Day:3 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Girl's Night Out)

2010-11-17T09:03:00.004+05:00

For a night out with the girls I would go for a darker look and a tight sleeved plain black abaya is simply a perfect choice. I'd pair the abaya with an animal print hijab and a chunky black bead necklace. I'd wear a few plain but chunky silver rings to complement the beads and patent leather flats with swarovski stones attached in the shape of a heart and of course the outfit wouldn't be complete without a bag and for girls night out I'd prefer a patent leather bag with a chain strap. For make up I'd use a black eyeliner and a "bronzish" sparikly eyeshadow that complements my skin tone.

What do you think? What would you wear for girl's night out?

Now go and check Em's blog for more hijabi fashion inspiration!

Don't forget to vote for my looks at the PAXON : Wear it your way contest. by clicking the "like" button under the pictures labeled http://hijabiii.blogspot.com/ (Remember that you have to become a fan of PAXON before you can vote) and stand the chance of winning a fabulous abaya from PAXON.

Hijabi Fashion Week. Day :2 Celebrate Good Times (Eid)

2010-11-16T09:05:00.002+05:00

This is what I would wear for a Celebration such as Eid. Something a bit dressy, perfect for visiting friends and relatives after Eid prayers in the masjid. This plum coloured abaya has bead work on it's sleeves and larger white/silvery beads sewn to make a flower at the right hip area. I paired this abaya with a white head band which I wore it in this style and a patent white clutch with plum coloured satin flats and a large ring. What do you think ? Would you wear something like this for Eid?

I hope all my lovely readers are having a great Eid. Eid Mubarak to all of you~!

For more Eid outfits from the participants of HIjabi Fashion Week, check Em's blog. The outfits look great~!

Hijabi Fashion Week. Day :1 Money on My Mind (Work Wear)

2010-11-15T09:43:00.001+05:00

This is what I usually wear for work; A plain coat style jilbab with a matching plain shawl and a large tote to carry stationery, books etc. The things a teacher would usually carry, and of course, there's always a matching pair of shoes with the outfit. I wear as few jewelery as possible because when you teach kids, its always easier if you have fewer rings, or rings with little or no shiny stones on your hands as kids can sometimes find them very distracting. The same goes for hijab pins and brooches and it's always safer to use pins with safety latches or caps than just normal hatpins. Hope you like my outfit! What do you think?

To see what all the participants of HFW check Em's blog ! The outfits look wonderful~!

PAXON: Wear it your way & HFW update

2010-11-14T18:38:00.000+05:00

I'm taking part in this lovely competition hosted by PAXON clothing and I need your help! Vote for my entries which would be showcased along with the entries from the other contestants here and stand a chance at winning a fabulous abaya from PAXON clothing. (their website is certainly worth a look!) . The entry with the most number of "like" votes would win an abaya as well from PAXON. So don't forget to vote for me my lovely readers~!

HOW TO VOTE: Simply press the "like" button underneath the picture.Remember voting starts on the 15th of November (tomorrow) and ends on the 21st of November.

Take a look at my entries for the competition:

Look 1:

Look 2:

Look 3:

So please vote for the above looks and you might win an abaya of your choice from PAXON!

HFW Update!

Hijabi Fashion Week hosted by Em from modestytheory.blogspot.com starts tomorrow! I'm really excited to see the entries from all the participants! Take at look at who is participating in the event:

3f's - walkmethere.blogspot.com

All You Need is Luff - luffisallyouneed.blogspot.com

Bows and a Rose - adriani-a.blogspot.com

Coco's Pearls - cocospearls.blogspot.com

Daily Fashion Muslimah - ratnawulandaridaulay.blogspot.com

E.S.A - esayunitia.blogspot.com

Fashion by Fatima - fashionbyfatima.blogspot.com

Fatin Liyana - honeykoyuki.blogspot.com

Fiminin Islamic Fashion - fiminin.blogspot.com

Geek In The Rainbow - geekintherainbow.blogspot.com

Haute Muslimah - HauteMuslimah.com

Hijab Revival - hijabrevival.blogspot.com

Hijab Style Guide - hijabstyleguide.com

Hijabi - hijabiii.blogspot.com

Jezmine Blossom - jezmineblossom.blogspot.com

Mademoiselle M - madem0isellem.blogspot.com

Maria Elena Is Greek Helen - peliks.blogspot.com

Modesty Theory - modestytheory.blogspot.com

My Amethyst - www.myamethyst-shea.com

Salt & Sugar - saltnsugar-mizzniss.blogspot.com

Style N Scarves - styleandscarves.blogspot.com

Stylish Hijab World - mystylish-hijabworld.blogspot.com

Sweet Escape - narilurvedyep.blogspot.com

Tea Love Coffee - tiananana.blogspot.com

The Fashion Project - hijabifashionproject.blogspot.com

Under Urooba's Umbrella - underuroobasumbrella.blogspot.com

Vintage Muslimah - vintagemuslimah.blogspot.com

Zinah - zinahns.blogspot.com

This is going to be one eventful week so keep checking my blog for updates~!

Women in black

2010-11-13T13:51:00.000+05:00

I know black isn't the only colour Muslim women can wear, though you are more likely to find black abayas in the market than coloured ones. While looking for something to wear, I usually end up with a black abaya and a coloured hijab or sometimes an all black look (hijab, shoes, bag , jewellery etc.) . Black looks classy and it can be accessorized with almost anything! You can rock an all black look at almost any occasion (day/night). Here are some all black abaya looks I came up with:

Look 1:

black abaya looks 3 by shums featuring a quilted handbag

Look 2:

black abaya look 1 by shums featuring a bracelet bangle

Look 3 :

black abaya looks 2 by shums featuring an evening bag handbag

Look 4:

I am a woman in black and I love being one. Do you?

Jakarta Fashion Week 2010/2011

2010-11-11T19:56:00.000+05:00

Jakarta Fashion week began on the 6th of November 2011 showcasing work from many Indonesian designers. The event also highlighted on hijabi fashion and work from hijab friendly clothing designers. Take a look for yourself:

There were some great hijab friendly designs from other designers as well, especially the tradiotnal Indonesian dress:

The colours. intricate embroidery, bead work and lovely batik designs were enchanting and the creative hijabs/head wraps were fun to look at and full of inspiration. What do you think? Would you consider going with any of the above looks?

Islamic Fashion Festival 2010 at Malaysia International Fashion Week

2010-11-10T23:00:00.000+05:00

This event which began on the 7th of November showcased some great hijab friendly designs from Muslim designers mainly from Aastern Asia. Each piece is filled with bright a vivid colours together with bead work and swarovski stones Take a look for yourself:

I like the different hijabs and head wraps on the models, gives room for a lot of inspiration don't you think?

Islamic Swimwear for hijabis :

Did you like the designs? I sure did! Would you sport any of the above looks? What would you change?

For More photos from Malaysian International Fashion Week check cutecarry's blog , He's been doing a great job covering the whole event!

Hijabi Fashion Week Nov 15 - Nov 21

2010-11-06T00:45:00.000+05:00

I'll be participating in this event so expect some exciting posts! For more details check Em's blog . I'd encourage all my lovely hijabi readers who also blog to participate! This is going to be fun and exciting~! :)

A purple hijabi look and...

2010-11-03T20:07:00.000+05:00

purple by shums featuring gap jeans

A purple look, perfect as an eid outfit. I've decided what I'd wear for Eid-ul-Adha. Have you?

Dubai Fashion Week : Spring/Summer 2011 Day: 5- Abayas & Indian Bridal wear

2010-10-31T20:03:00.001+05:00

Day 5 of Dubai Fashion week dawned with exotic Indian bridal wear (which is also quite hijab friendly) from designer Arnab Sengupta and some great abayas from Rouge Couture designs. Take a look at my favourites from both collections:

Arnab Sengupta's designs immediately spoke of tradition and style . The paisley prints and intricate Indian embroidery and mirror work was a indeed an exotic treat to behold. I simply loved all the hijab friendly and almost hijab friendly pieces in the collection:

A beautiful shalwar in the 'anarkali style' :

Another stunning Indial bridal 'choli' :

The colours of all the outfits look wonderful~!

Rouge Couture's abayas were one of a kind, the clear cut designs together with its gathers, patterns and embroidery made a collection that is by far the most unique from the different collections we saw last week, take a look for yourself:

This is my favourite abaya from the collection. I always love that colour with black;

So what do you think of these looks? would you wear anything similar?

Dubai Fashion Week : Spring/Summer 2011 Day: 4- Abayas & Jalabiyas

2010-10-28T19:19:00.000+05:00

Day four of Dubai Fashion week brings us fresh new designs from Designers Hanayen and Divya Oswal.
I simply love the coloured Jalabiyas I've picked out from the collections. The colours are absolutely stunning! Take a look for yourself:

Hanayen's collection was as stunning and as breathtaking as her previous collections. I simply love how she has combined such lovely patterns and colours together with black.

Black with stripes:

Lacey brown pattern with black:

Black with a blue bee hive pattern, I simply love this one;

Love the design of this one even if the sleeves look a bit too sheer:

Cute abaya with the broad pink stripe:

The beautiful pastel shades from Divya Oswal's Indo-Arabic Jalabiya collection would be sure to leave you dazzled and in awe:

Aquamarine blue, this Jalabiya is simply gorgeous!

Royal white: I love the Indian embroidery on this one:

Another stunning blue jalabiya:

Emerald green:

Bright red; this is a stunner:

Simply love this cute grey one:

This one's a beauty: great embroidery on the waist.

Love the puffed sleeves in this white one! If only it wasn't so transparent:

So what did you think of these looks? Would you wear anything similar to them? Where would you wear them?

Dubai Fashion Week : Spring/Summer 2011 Day: 3- Abayas

2010-10-27T14:34:00.000+05:00

Day 3 of Dubai Fashion week brought us even more abayas from various designers. The designs are all elegant and most of the abayas have that light 'wispy' effect which I have fallen in love with! Find out for yourself:

Homa Qamar 's designs can be described in just three words: beautiful, simple, elegant. :

Love the colours of this one!

For some reason black abayas with black designs on them always look the best:

Another cute all black look:

Animal print!

This is mt favourite abaya from the collection though the sleeves are a bit too transparent:

What do you think of these abayas? would you wear any of them?

Dubai Fashion Week : Spring/Summer 2011 Day: 2 - Jalabiyas

2010-10-26T13:57:00.000+05:00

Day : 2 of the Dubai brought fresh new designer Jalabiyas by designer Fatima Al Majid. I simply love her collection with it's pastel shades and floaty materials and work done on every dress with beads and swarovski stones. This might be the perfect glitzy and glamorous look you are searching for! Take a look :

Heavenly white:

Pale shade of orange with a 'woven' effect:

Simply love this one! a Jalabiya with an Indian look:

This is one cute outfit! I simply adore that shade of pale pink:

...and aqua blue :

Simply love the colours of this one!

Bright pink Jalabiya any one?

A jalabiya with a Grecian look :

Turquoise and ruffled cream sleeves! Simply elegant :

Bright red with an 'anarkali' look:

Some of the dresses may have sleeves which are too sheer for a hijabi's taste, layering or using a lining might help if you plan to wear something similar to the looks above.

What do you think of her collection? Would you go with any of the above looks?

Dubai Fashion week : Spring/ Summer 2011 Day: I - Abayas

2010-10-25T14:11:00.000+05:00

So Dubai Fashion week showing Spring/Summer 2011 collections started yesterday and I found out some wonderful and inspiring finds in the abaya department. Take a look for yourself :

Dar Waad Desings from U.A.E showed off their beautiful black flowing abayas which had occasional splashes of bright colour:

Simply love this sheer black one:

Love the worked bodice of this abaya ; teal is such a great choice with black:

Animal print! Simply love this one though it doesn't look like a good choice for actual wear:

Modest and simply elegant appropriate for any age, even my mum could rock this look:

I know the pink kinda looks over the top but the abaya looked so cute:

Lamya Abedin's collection looked very Japanese inspired, there is a 'kimono look' to her every abaya and Japanese parasols and fans were also used as accessories.Lamya Abedin owns an abaya boutique in the U.A.E called 'Queen of Spades' which quite matches with her unique collection of abayas don't you think?

Simply love this one:

...and this one:

Modest and trendy and quite appropriate for actual wear:

This may seem slightly over the top for an abaya but it looks quite good, what do you think?

So what do you think? Would you consider a look similar to the ones above? What kind of abaya do you normally wear?

What I wore today

2010-10-23T18:46:00.000+05:00

I'm back with yet another outfit post. This is what I wore today; a plain black crepe abaya with narrow sleeves and a patterned brown pashmina shayla together with a brown applique woven straw tote and crocheted flat shoes.

A closer look at the eye wear, shoes and bag :

What kind of hijabi outfit do you normally wear?

Cute and Casual

2010-10-22T18:59:00.000+05:00

A cute, casual look I came up with, who said hijabis could only wear maxi skirts? ;)

cute hijabi by shums featuring a canvas tote

Would you sport a look like this one?

Mix and Match hijabi

2010-10-21T21:49:00.000+05:00

I don't know how a tea pink t shirt, black sweater, pale blue scarf and bright blue shoes together with a black and gold multilayer necklace and large vintage black clutch would go together, but it did go together quite well to give a modest yet trendy look! Hope you like it :

Front view:

Back view:

What do you think of this look? would you wear something like this?