Islamic fashion is responsible for some of the most high-quality and desirable garments available in the present day.  Whether it is a stylish kaftan dress, a comfortable abaya cloak, or a colourful hijab, all are standout items for modern Muslim women.

Kaftan Dresses

What allows items of clothing to meet and live up to these definitions, however?

• The style of clothes is primarily responsible for them appearing desirable
• Furthermore, the cut and fit of garments is often seen as a sign of the quality
• Perhaps biggest of all indicators, the fabrics and textiles used in clothing

There is no doubt that all of these elements are present in Islamic fashion in some way. Given that many modern Islamic fashion pieces centre on the fabrics used, and how these work to put together a quality garment, we decided to explore this element of the niche.

What are the most widely used fabrics and textiles, and why? You might be surprised, as the results are not much different from contemporary styles.

Silk

The biggest difference is the way in which silk is used in Islamic fashion.

Is there a more luxurious fabric in existence? Whether it is a dressing gown, a shirt, or undergarments, silk has a huge presence when it comes to style in the modern world.

In terms of Islamic fashion, it fits in perfectly with the need to be modest while also creating a luxurious feeling of comfort and confidence for the wearer. Although silk garments are associated more with special occasions, it is still possible to find abaya cloaks or jilbabs that are made from silk and are perfect for wearing to the office. You could wear them around the house, but the real means of silk is to make a defining statement about yourself.

While garments produced solely from silk are popular, the material is also widely used for producing the detail elements on many other items. Stitched in designs around cuffs and necklines are commonly made from silk, either alone or mixed with cotton to create a different texture against the main garment.

The traditional hijab headscarf is also commonly made of silk, giving a luxurious look as well as keeping women cool during the hotter months.

Cotton

Cotton is popular across all of Islamic fashion, but is perhaps best utilized in kaftan dresses, as well as in other varieties of hijab.

The use of cotton is prominent throughout the fashion world for its comfort and ease of washing, characteristics that make it perfect for the multi-tasking Muslim woman who may need to dash quickly from work to pick children up from school and then head to the shops.

Wool

Soft and luxurious wools tend to be most popular in Islamic fashion, especially as certain styles of clothing mean fabric is in regular contact with the body – the scratchier, coarser wools available just would not do!

The use of wool is not widespread, as many Muslim women stick with cotton and silk and use more layers in their fashion, but a small number of wool items are regularly available for the woman seeking additional warmth.

This article is written by Aisha.
Aab Collection is an e-commerce retailer selling Islamic clothing, such as kaftan dresses, predominantly aimed at Muslim women with multiple roles to play in today’s society. A kaftan dress is a tasteful and elegant option for a woman to wear to a job interview.