Evolution has come to Islamic clothing fashion abaya garments. Youthful influences are introducing a fresh take on traditional clothing. Basic black is not the only available option. Of course when this distinct piece of clothing is seen its wearer is identified as belonging to a conservative Islamic movement rooted in the Middle East. Often its adherents are described as Wahhabis after the 18th century Arabian native Ibn Wahab.
According to a German intelligence report, Salafism is the fastest expanding Islamic movement today. This fact should not be surprising as it is supported by its petrodollar rich Middle Eastern and Gulf followers. They follow this puritanical vision of Islam that has long comported with a traditional Bedouin mindset. Petrodollar support has led to more women embracing this attire beyond Middle Eastern territory.
A Burqa should not be confused with this attire. As this South Asian garment is a long garment which in one piece covers the whole body. It has a distinguishing net opening enabling its wearer to look out. Abayas cover bodies below the neck and expose hair and faces. These can be covered with headscarves and a veils to provide coverage similar to a Burqa. Jilbabs are similar garments but rather than being robe like they are coats. Jilbabs do not cover hands.
Besides these three garments that provide maximum coverage, there are other kinds of religious attire. The Hijab is usually associated with headscarves. The Khimar is a round or triangular shaped headscarf. A Niqab covers the face. Of course, women who wear garments that provide maximum coverage that hides the face are more socially confined and do not interact with people as do women who do not wear such coverage. You will not find them working with men outside their home.
Bedouins have traditionally worn Abayas to protect themselves from desert conditions. They have also been worn by rich women as a status symbol separating them from less well off females. They now have a religious meaning as a protective item of clothing warding off lusty males. The cultural symbolism indicates society does not consider men to be civilized creatures. Males who have been civilized would not need extensive covering to protect females from their disrespect. Its symbolic meaning also hearkens to a more lawless past. It remains a symbol of a certain regional heritage.
Abayas have traditionally been black and long sleeved robes without any embellishments. Traditional colored examples were also worn in muted earth tones to discourage male interest. During pre-Islamic life in this region, such attire was sole purview of privileged women. They wore it to distinguish themselves from riffraff. It showed them to be above lower class women.
Western observers are surprised by new changes. There is an= clearly evident recent trend of more relaxed ad attractive styles. Willingness of women to these emerging trends depends on local traditions. In South East Asia, white is preferred rather than black. In certain Gulf countries decorative styles, new colors and fabrics have found a willing audience.
Young designer Eman Al Mandeel is a representative of fresh air being infused such fashion today. She is leading a fashion revolution of sorts. Her appeal to women who want to celebrate their femininity while staying within the bounds of prescribed constraints. Her career started in Dubai. Her more fashionable designs found fertile soil in the Emirates. Emirati women live in a less restrictive environment than their fellow women more puritanical Saudi Arabia. But she has also found that today even conservative Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has embraced her designs. Upper class Saudi ladies find her Islamic clothing fashion abaya styling appealing as well.
According to a German intelligence report, Salafism is the fastest expanding Islamic movement today. This fact should not be surprising as it is supported by its petrodollar rich Middle Eastern and Gulf followers. They follow this puritanical vision of Islam that has long comported with a traditional Bedouin mindset. Petrodollar support has led to more women embracing this attire beyond Middle Eastern territory.
A Burqa should not be confused with this attire. As this South Asian garment is a long garment which in one piece covers the whole body. It has a distinguishing net opening enabling its wearer to look out. Abayas cover bodies below the neck and expose hair and faces. These can be covered with headscarves and a veils to provide coverage similar to a Burqa. Jilbabs are similar garments but rather than being robe like they are coats. Jilbabs do not cover hands.
Besides these three garments that provide maximum coverage, there are other kinds of religious attire. The Hijab is usually associated with headscarves. The Khimar is a round or triangular shaped headscarf. A Niqab covers the face. Of course, women who wear garments that provide maximum coverage that hides the face are more socially confined and do not interact with people as do women who do not wear such coverage. You will not find them working with men outside their home.
Bedouins have traditionally worn Abayas to protect themselves from desert conditions. They have also been worn by rich women as a status symbol separating them from less well off females. They now have a religious meaning as a protective item of clothing warding off lusty males. The cultural symbolism indicates society does not consider men to be civilized creatures. Males who have been civilized would not need extensive covering to protect females from their disrespect. Its symbolic meaning also hearkens to a more lawless past. It remains a symbol of a certain regional heritage.
Abayas have traditionally been black and long sleeved robes without any embellishments. Traditional colored examples were also worn in muted earth tones to discourage male interest. During pre-Islamic life in this region, such attire was sole purview of privileged women. They wore it to distinguish themselves from riffraff. It showed them to be above lower class women.
Western observers are surprised by new changes. There is an= clearly evident recent trend of more relaxed ad attractive styles. Willingness of women to these emerging trends depends on local traditions. In South East Asia, white is preferred rather than black. In certain Gulf countries decorative styles, new colors and fabrics have found a willing audience.
Young designer Eman Al Mandeel is a representative of fresh air being infused such fashion today. She is leading a fashion revolution of sorts. Her appeal to women who want to celebrate their femininity while staying within the bounds of prescribed constraints. Her career started in Dubai. Her more fashionable designs found fertile soil in the Emirates. Emirati women live in a less restrictive environment than their fellow women more puritanical Saudi Arabia. But she has also found that today even conservative Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has embraced her designs. Upper class Saudi ladies find her Islamic clothing fashion abaya styling appealing as well.
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