With four “official” seasons (fall, spring, resort, and prefall) and several arbitrary ones in between, the fashion calendar is pretty much impossible to keep up with. Even when you feel like you've finally figured out your wardrobe, that period is over, and there's a whole new round of trends to account for. And for Muslim women who dress modestly, there’s also Ramadan to consider.
For the Muslim community the month of Ramadan is the holiest time of the year. It involves 30 days of prayer and fasting, from dawn until sundown, followed by a nightly break-fast meal. It also marks a significant moment in the conservative fashion calendar, according to designers and boutique owners that serve this customer. "Ramadan is a time of both spirituality and celebration," said Maha Abdul Rasheed, the founder of Bambah, a boutique in Dubai that specializes in vintage and vintage-inspired ready-to-wear. "Muslims gather with family and friends (including non-Muslim friends) every evening for Iftars, when the fast is broken. These create a highly social season in Dubai: People get together, whether they practice Ramadan or not. There’s a different outing every day, and ladies love to dress up for it."
A report from Racked detailed just how varied the wardrobing scenarios can be during the Islamic holy month, as well as during other religious holidays observed by Muslims. According to Abdul Rasheed, women in Dubai (which is considered by many the fashion capital of the Middle East), see Ramadan, specifically, as an opportunity to show off their unique style, within the parameters of their faith.
Courtesy of Bambah.
"Ramadan is not just about wearing the traditional black abaya," she explains, referring to the robelike garment worn by many observant Muslim women who opt to dress modestly, as it's meant to expose only the head, feet, and hands. "Although it still meets the modest criteria, brands and consumers alike are having a lot of fun coming up with new styles and silhouettes that are unique from the traditional black dress—ladies are very creative and colorful with their Ramadan wardrobe."
She notes that Muslim women often build entire wardrobes specifically for Ramadan, which has caused the Islamic holy month to become its own independent season for fashion trends. Though this time for fast and prayer calls for more conservative dress than what's expected during other periods of the religious calendar, there's no mandate on color, pattern, or detail. "Our Ramadan collection is usually more conservative, so we focus on loose styles with longer hems and sleeves," says Abdul Rasheed. "We use a lot of linens, light colors, and metallic fabrics to add richness. We add embroideries and embellishments to further accentuate the dress and make it uniquely attractive in a modest way." This year midi lengths, metallics, and bell sleeves have stood out as big trends among her customer base.
