There is pressure on the modern Muslim woman to look attractive and fashionable. On one end of the spectrum, there is the glamorous hijabi. She wears snazzy colours, hairbands, dripping jewels, brooches, flowers and sparkling beads. These are a legitimate expression of her femininity. Just because she wears the veil doesn’t mean she needs to wear a bin liner over her head.
On the other end, there are some women who choose to dress plainly and this is acceptable too. Their interpretation of modesty is to wear neutral colours, and very loose material lest they draw attention to themselves. These women may well be attractive underneath this dullness, but their sense of modesty is to dress with demureness.
Unfortunately, there are some men who cannot see past this, at a time when figure-hugging dress is so easily handed on a plate, such as the ubiquitous skinny jeans, which leave little to the imagination.
These men (and women) should realise that “frumpy” Muslim women choose to dress this way, and could quite easily transform themselves into attractive, pouty divas if they wished. They hide their charms for a reason, and their sensuality and overt expression of femininity is reserved for just one special person.
attempt 2.
Frumpiness. Whilst I respect a person’s decision to hijab and nikab I do feel that frumpiness is sometimes an excuse used by some girls to hide their insecurities. I thought Islam promotes ‘well dressed ness’. You should look your best at all times as well as appear modest. I don’t understand the notion make yourself ‘unattractive’ to appear modest?
Secondly, whilst I can appreciate the beauty of a woman who is not made up. and see the potential, I don’t think men do, generally. Men are not very good at paying attention to detail they will only spot the obvious beauty but not the hidden, that would be too much work. So trying to convince them otherwise I think is a lost battle, sadly.
Wa’alaykum asalam; luv the title – ‘Frumpy Muslim Women’! Luv the title! Hijab, modesty, hayat, lowering the gaze, silence when the world is overcrowded with noise – the noise of distraction, mobile phones, billboards, fast cars – where’s the serenity? Inner peace? Sometimes, real beauty is the rose that lives within one’s heart, a heart that is sincere and adorns itself with the love one has for his or her Creator, the rose that is only uncovered when all the others flowers have bloomed – the rose that hides in a frumpy garden but whose scent is most sweet and beloved to one who will appreciate this Rose’s modesty and beauty – a very special bumble bee!
Thanks for your comment Asiya – Yes, Islam does indeed encourage people to dress well, so I agree dressing frumpily might be an excuse. Yes, trying to convince men to pay attention to hidden beauty is half of the problem…..
Bina – Mash’Allah your musings are as beautiful and poetic as ever