Wearing Muslim clothing?

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RosarioAMDG

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Hi. I am an older high school student, and I have always been fascinated by other cultures, specifically their clothing. Recently (I can’t even remember why :P), I found myself looking at some of the rules for Muslim women’s clothing. Later that day, I was looking at a list of websites that are specifically marketed to sell modest clothing. One of them turned out to be selling Muslim clothing, such as the headscarves, long skirts, loose pants, and long tunic tops that I often see out and about.

My question is basically: for Catholics (since I am one), is it bad to wear those clothes for their beauty and modesty? I didn’t think it would be at all a sin, but would it be “scandal” or something?

And for Muslims, is there some rule against non-Muslims wearing these clothes? Would you be offended if you saw a non-Muslim wearing them?

Just so you know, I was particularly interested in styles such as these: one, two, three, four. I’m not sure I would go so far as to cover my hair, although I have seen many beautiful headscarves (I believe the Muslim word is ‘hijab’? Please do correct me if I’m wrong.).

Thanks!
Rose
 
I like the ones you picked…no you can wear what you want…just that it is to be modest…
 
I don’t think there is anything wrong with choosing certain items from a muslim oriented clothing site. I know many women who buy scarfs to wear to Mass at orthodox jewish sites.

I like the palazzo style pants at that site and others I have seen. I wouldn’t want to completely dress as a muslim women (including hajib) every day, but I see nothing wrong with the pieces you’ve selected.

Interestingly, I find that the tunic style tops are actually more flattering on muslim clothing sites than some of the long loose tops sold at places like Coldwater Creek.

If you do decide to order, select only one or two pieces at first. You may find the longer tops and skirts are just too much fabric to deal with.
 
I agree. I have seen some Muslim women who dress absolutely beautifully. I’ve seen a few women walking in my neighborhood who wear similar outfits to your “one” link. But theirs are slightly more fitted and the tunic stops just above the knee. It’s occurred to me that they have found the balance of dressing modestly without hiding from society. A lot of secular modest styles just seem frumpy to me.
 
RosarioAMDG said:
Hi. I am an older high school student, and I have always been fascinated by other cultures, specifically their clothing. Recently (I can’t even remember why :P), I found myself looking at some of the rules for Muslim women’s clothing. Later that day, I was looking at a list of websites that are specifically marketed to sell modest clothing. One of them turned out to be selling Muslim clothing, such as the headscarves, long skirts, loose pants, and long tunic tops that I often see out and about.

My question is basically: for Catholics (since I am one), is it bad to wear those clothes for their beauty and modesty? I didn’t think it would be at all a sin, but would it be “scandal” or something?

And for Muslims, is there some rule against non-Muslims wearing these clothes? Would you be offended if you saw a non-Muslim wearing them?

Just so you know, I was particularly interested in styles such as these: one, two, three, four. I’m not sure I would go so far as to cover my hair, although I have seen many beautiful headscarves (I believe the Muslim word is ‘hijab’? Please do correct me if I’m wrong.).

Thanks!
Rose
Click to expand...
I think, as long as you wouldn’t necessarily and ordinarily be recognised as a Muslim, it wouldn’t be a problem for you to wear these. Therefore context matters.

I agree with you it wouldn’t be sensible for you to wear any of these styles in public with a headscarf, unless it was the wintertime or rainy, and the scarf and long sleeves would serve to keep your head warm or dry; or, if you tied the scarf at the nape of your neck (rather than under your chin), or let some hair show.

I think Muslim women’s dress looks better than Christian and Jewish women’s modest dress. Maybe it’s because Muslim girls are allowed to wear trousers as well, there’s more variation in their outfits–whereas Christian and Jewish women tend to wear only skirts and dresses, and then, they almost always stop at the knees. The Muslim girls I know who cover tend to dress more liberally than this. A lot of Somali girls here wear a multi-layered hijab (like a great pompadour), black abayas and massive high-heels that you would see at a club – it’s astounding that they don’t fall.
 
Bezant said:
I think, as long as you wouldn’t necessarily and ordinarily be recognised as a Muslim, it wouldn’t be a problem for you to wear these. Therefore context matters.

I agree with you it wouldn’t be sensible for you to wear any of these styles in public with a headscarf, unless it was the wintertime or rainy, and the scarf and long sleeves would serve to keep your head warm or dry; or, if you tied the scarf at the nape of your neck (rather than under your chin), or let some hair show.

I think Muslim women’s dress looks better than Christian and Jewish women’s modest dress. Maybe it’s because Muslim girls are allowed to wear trousers as well, there’s more variation in their outfits–whereas Christian and Jewish women tend to wear only skirts and dresses, and then, they almost always stop at the knees. The Muslim girls I know who cover tend to dress more liberally than this. A lot of Somali girls here wear a multi-layered hijab (like a great pompadour), black abayas and massive high-heels that you would see at a club – it’s astounding that they don’t fall.
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You must live outside North America. Most Christian and Jewish women in the US and Canada wear both skirts/dresses and pants- they are allowed to, you know 🙂
 
:blessyou: Rose, I’m glad to see such faithful thinking nowadays from young people specially those living in the secular countries. http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon14.gif

However, there is no rule in Islam or somewhere else that prohibits you from wearing such Islamic cloths and no one would be offended by it 🙂 , also the link by our member “catholicmamajoy” is excellent one for modest clothing 👍.

Furthermore, there is nothing wrong by covering your hair, just remember Virgin Mary:

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/i...t_tW5lKgJgRfr7nEYsfvXf9smAPZeVJaBShGnV0Z9WieQ
 
For what is worth, my wife and I both love your number ‘one’ choice. Very beautiful 🙂
 
I work in a Muslim country. One of the things we were told upon arrival is to “not go native.” By that, I mean we were not to dress in the abaya. Unlike Saudi Arabia, this country does not require full coverage.
Many Indians work in this country, and I like to wear kismeez sets. I find these flattering for all size women. Before coming here, I also learned that they were acceptable wear by Muslim women. While I wear kismeez sets, I do not drape my scarf backwards over my shoulders as most Indians would. I do not wear the shawl as an Indian woman would. I do wear a Pashmina to Mass, but most of the time remove it once outside.
In other words, I have taken a style that I like and made it my own.
Modesty here means wearing skirts that cover the knees and tops that cover the shoulders. I often wear full length skirts, here and stateside. Most of the tops that I have have sleeves that cover my elbows.
I do wear slacks. The slacks that I had made as part of my kismeez sets tend to wear out faster than the tops. Riding skirts are not only modest, they are also practical. It is my plan to replace my slacks with riding skirts.
Back to the OP, there is nothing wrong with wearing modest clothing. I have read the words of saints impressed by the modest wear of Muslim women recommend the same type of clothing for Christian women as well.
 
RosarioAMDG said:
Hi. I am an older high school student, and I have always been fascinated by other cultures, specifically their clothing. Recently (I can’t even remember why :P), I found myself looking at some of the rules for Muslim women’s clothing. Later that day, I was looking at a list of websites that are specifically marketed to sell modest clothing. One of them turned out to be selling Muslim clothing, such as the headscarves, long skirts, loose pants, and long tunic tops that I often see out and about.

My question is basically: for Catholics (since I am one), is it bad to wear those clothes for their beauty and modesty? I didn’t think it would be at all a sin, but would it be “scandal” or something?

And for Muslims, is there some rule against non-Muslims wearing these clothes? Would you be offended if you saw a non-Muslim wearing them?

Just so you know, I was particularly interested in styles such as these: one, two, three, four. I’m not sure I would go so far as to cover my hair, although I have seen many beautiful headscarves (I believe the Muslim word is ‘hijab’? Please do correct me if I’m wrong.).

Thanks!
Rose
Click to expand...
Yes, the term you’re searching for is hijab, which refers to an entire set guidelines regarding Islamic standards for modesty (mental and physical) and clothing. A Muslima who follows these standards is referred to as a hijabi.

There’s nothing wrong with wearing clothes marketed to Muslim women. Shukr sells beautiful, high-quality clothing; I have a couple of their dresses myself. There is no Muslim prohibition on non-Muslims wearing clothing designed for hijabis.

Luna
 
They have a wonderful sense of style. I especially like the tunic above wide long pants.
 
When I first saw this thread last night, I was too tired & busy to look into it and I thought you, poster, were a muslim posing as a Catholic.

Now that I’ve had a moment to look at your links, the clothing is cool. It sort of reminds me of outfits we had back in the 70’s.
 
Wow! Thank you so much for your replies, everyone. I’m so glad that people are interested enough to help me out with this.

KathleenGee, bmullins, and luvtosew, thanks! I loved them too; they’re the ones that caught my attention.

catholicmamajoy, thank you SO much for that link! Those outfits are so beautiful and I’m so glad somebody showed that site to me! I plan to look at their entire collection as soon as I have time and I would love to purchase a few pieces. (If I can decide on just a few, that is. :P)

Sam_777, 😃 just like everyone else, thanks! My parents have always emphasized modesty when looking for clothing, and I find that I am no longer really interested in more “borderline” clothing, instead finding incredible beauty in perfectly modest outfits!

Thank you so much to everyone! Your help and thoughts are much appreciated! 🙂
 
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