What's Considered Modest Clothing for Muslim Women?

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Learn to dress stylishly while honoring your Islamic values

Co-authored by Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD Reviewed by Melissa Young

Last Updated: June 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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Dressing Modestly

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What to Avoid

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Are hijabs required?

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Deciding What's Right For You

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Final Takeaways

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Video

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Q&A

“Hijab” refers to both the principle of modesty in Islamic culture and the veil that many Muslim women wear. The modesty rules outlined in the Qur’an are open to interpretation, so Muslim women have various options when it comes to dressing modestly. Many Muslim women decide to wear a hijab, and others don’t, choosing to showcase modesty in other ways. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to remaining modest while looking fabulous, with tips from Islam Education Expert Belal Elkadri.

Modest Islamic Attire for Women

Make a decision about what modesty means to you based on the Qur’an's teachings and your parents' input. You can dress modestly with or without a hijab, which typically means covering everything except your hands, face, and sometimes, your feet. Wearing loose clothing and minimal jewelry/makeup is a good rule of thumb.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Dress Modestly as Muslim Girl

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1
Choose to wear a hijab, or head covering (if desired). In the Qur’an, Allah commands that women should only expose that which must ordinarily appear. Many interpret this to mean that only a woman’s hands, face, and sometimes feet may be displayed. Women honor this rule of modesty by wearing a hijab, a veil that wraps around their head, leaving the face uncovered while completely concealing their hair, neck, and chest. Wearing a hijab is optional, as well as the style you wear it in. Elkadri says, “Some wear their hijab very loosely, some wear it very tightly, some wear the niqab where they cover their face.” ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker

Expert Interview} Pick the style that is right for you:
- Shayla: Wrap this rectangular scarf around your head and use a pin to secure it at your shoulders. ^{[2]
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- Khimar: Wear this cape-like scarf wrapped tightly around your head. It will hang loosely at your mid-back.
- Chador: If you prefer more coverage, choose this floor-length scarf. It is a longer version of the Khimar.
- Niqab: The niqab is a cloth face covering chosen by many Muslim women to provide additional protection.
- Burqa: The burqa will cover you from head to toe—a small mesh panel over your eyes is the only opening.
- Traditionally, hijabs come in plain, non-attention-grabbing colors, like black, white, blue, and brown. If you feel comfortable wearing colors and patterns, a fashionable scarf from your local department store may be substituted for a solid colored hijab.
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Wear loose-fitting clothes. With your hijab, wear loose, non-revealing tops and bottoms. Sheer and/or figure-hugging clothing should be avoided. Remember, the type of clothing you wear with your hijab is completely dependent upon your comfort level and understanding of modesty. Ask your parents for a second opinion if you are unsure about a certain piece of clothing.
- If you prefer full coverage, shop for maxi skirts, wide-leg pants, long dresses, and abayas.
- Want to wear skinny jeans or leggings? Pair them with a long flowing top or dress.
- If you want to wear a tighter outfit, cover it up with an abaya, jilbab or mumu.
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Layer your clothing. Laying your clothing is key to achieving an on-trend modest look. Do you have an absolutely amazing low-cut shirt in your closet? Make it modest by wearing it over a blouse or long-sleeved t-shirt for coverage. Add a scarf for additional coverage and a pop of color. Cover up tight skinny jeans with a long sweater, coat, or flannel blouse tied around your waist. ^{[3]
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- Get creative! Experiment with layering different pieces until you find a look that you are comfortable wearing.
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Wear tops with high necklines. Determine if a neckline is too low by measuring the distance from your collarbone to the top of your shirt using your fingers as a measuring tool—one to four finger-widths is ideal, while five finger widths may verge on too revealing. Cover your cleavage with turtlenecks, boatneck shirts, and blouses.
- Tie a scarf around your neck to cover a lower neckline.
- Wear a tank top with a high neckline under a shirt that is too low in the front.
5
Don't be afraid to play around with color. Some Muslim girls may shy away from bold colors out of fear that they’ll draw too much attention to themselves. However, the trick is to find the right color palette that looks good on you, upholds modesty standards, and feels authentic to who you are as a person. Start with light pastels, like butter yellow and baby blue, or trendy jewel tones, like deep purples and greens. ^{[4]
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- Think about which colors you’re already drawn to and select a few matching pieces in those shades.
- Try picking pieces in the same color family. For example, complement a periwinkle cardigan with a navy hijab.
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Apply natural-looking make-up. Like bright colors and patterns, make-up should be worn sparingly. If you choose to wear make-up on a daily basis, go for a natural look. Apply minimal amounts of foundation, blush, mascara, and lip gloss to enhance your natural beauty and features. ^{[5]
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- For a "no makeup" look, you can use tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or CC cream for your complexion. Add some concealer for correcting any blemishes or dark circles, a little bit of bronzer for your cheekbones, upper forehead, and eyelids, and some lip balm for your lips.
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Limit the amount of jewelry you wear. Avoid chunky necklaces and statement earrings. Instead, select small, dainty pieces of jewelry that can easily be tucked under your hijab.
- If you are open to accessorizing your look, try to choose adornments that are understated.
- Avoid any ostentatious branded or designer hijabs.
Before going out, stand in front of a full-length mirror. Bend forwards, backwards, and side-to-side. Try sitting down and raising your arms. If your clothing shifts to reveal your midriff or your chest, consider changing or adding additional layers to your look before leaving the house.

Section 2 of 5:

What to Avoid When Dressing Modestly

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Avoid tight, transparent, and revealing clothing. Although dressing modestly is up to interpretation, there are some general rules to follow when it comes to picking outfits. You want to stay away from tight tops, bottoms, or dresses, as well as sheer or see-through clothing. Remember: you should usually only show hands, face, and sometimes feet and hair. Here are some other modesty rules to live by: ^{[6]
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- Avoid any garment, fabric, or style that reveals the curves of your body.
- Short skirts or dresses are a no-no on their own, but may occasionally be worn with tights underneath.
- Wearing clothes that are too flashy is also frowned upon as it essentially contradicts the principle of modest dressing.

Section 3 of 5:

Do you have to wear a hijab to be modest?

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No, you can still dress modestly if you choose not to wear a hijab. Elkadri emphasizes that there’s no wrong answer and that modesty can still be achieved without the hijab: “Some Muslims don't wear hijab at all,” he shares. Base your outfits on your personal comfort level. Think plenty of maxi-skirts, long dresses, and flowy tops, which are essential staples of a modest wardrobe. However, full coverage does not have to look dowdy and matronly! Mix and match trendy items or vintage pieces with the staples of your modest wardrobe for a chic look. ^{[7]
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Expert Source

Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker

Expert Interview}
- For example, pair black jeans with boots, a long wool trench coat, and a turtleneck sweater.
- You should keep in mind that the reason you wear full clothes is so that you do not attract men, so try to wear clothes that will not show your body shape. Don't wear short shirts; instead, wear long ones that hide your lower back.  ^{[8]
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- Seek a second opinion if you are unsure whether a certain top or bottom is too tight.

Section 4 of 5:

How to Make an Informed Decision

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1
Read religious and scholarly literature about modesty in Muslim culture. For centuries, scholars have debated the rules of modesty outlined for followers in the Qur’an . Familiarizing yourself with these arguments and interpreting the scriptures of the Qur’an will help you understand the benefits of hijab and prepare you to make an informed choice. ^{[9]
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- Be open to reading authors who do not support your personal perspective.
- Elkdari shares the subjectivity of modesty in Islam, believing that “hijab” or the code of modesty, can be interpreted and doesn’t necessarily reflect how righteous or faithful someone is: “There's no strong Muslims or weak Muslims [...] Muslims wear hijabs differently.”
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Discuss the topic of modesty with your parents. Talk to your father and mother about their expectations for how you dress and ask them to provide you with some suggestions and guidance. Ask your parents what they think it means to dress modestly. Are they comfortable with you wearing long dresses or skirts or would they prefer you to wear an abaya? How do they feel about the niqab?
- Go shopping with your mom and/or dad.
- Talk with the women of your family about how they reached their own personal interpretation of the requirements of hijab.
3
Determine what it means for you to dress modestly. It is a personal choice that will be informed primarily by your religious beliefs, but also political opinions and cultural understanding. You can wear the hijab even if you can't fully commit to wearing it every day. What matters is that you are trying. It's better to wear the Hijab sometimes than not to wear it at all. Of course, one's goal should always be to wear the hijab every day.
- Frequently alternating between wearing and not wearing the hijab should be avoided, as Allah prefers consistency in acts of worship.
- Hijab is not just a piece of clothing; it represents modesty. Just because you choose to wear the hijab doesn't make you a modest person. Hijab is a way of life.
While you may initially choose to wear a hijab as a teenager, you may be tempted to uncover as an adult. This is very common. Don’t hesitate to review the evidence and rationale for covering from the Qur'an and Sunnah if you need a reminder.

Section 5 of 5:

Final Takeaways

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There are many ways to dress modestly, with or without hijab. Solid, neutral colors, such as black, brown, and dark blue, can help you achieve a more modest look. Additionally, long-sleeved chiffon-type cloth drapes around the curves of the body comfortably without being tight. Remember: you can still wear shorts or a mini-skirt as long as you pair them with leggings— creativity is key to obtaining a modest and chic image!
- Elkadri suggests that there is no real “proper level of modesty,” and that the way you dress should simply be a reflection of “your connection to God.” So, try to honor your spiritual connection accordingly! ^{[10]
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  Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker
  
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How do I transition into wearing a hijab?

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If your niyaah (intentions) are pure to wanting the hijab then just do it. The fact that you're thinking about it is already a good sign. Start simple.

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People make fun of me because I'm not allowed to wear shorts. My parents say it is not modest. What do I say to the people who make fun of me?

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Most Muslim parents are more strict about the length of clothes than non-Muslims. You are not alone in this! If someone is making fun of you, ignore them and be confident: a hijab does not have to restrict your confidence. While you may not be allowed to wear shorts, you can still dress nicely and put effort into your appearance.

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Do I have to wear makeup before leaving the house?

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It depends on you. If you want to, then you can wear makeup but if you don't wish to do so, then there is no harm done.

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Expert Source

Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert & Motivational Speaker

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What's Considered Modest Clothing for Muslim Women?

Modest Islamic Attire for Women

Steps

How to Dress Modestly as Muslim Girl

What to Avoid When Dressing Modestly

Do you have to wear a hijab to be modest?

How to Make an Informed Decision

Final Takeaways

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

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