What’s Flesh Got To Do With It By Kelu Ogunleye

Who says being a Muslim woman is an automatic sentence to a lifestyle of dowdiness? There’s absolutely no one who can make such a claim! A Muslim woman is entitled to look as alluring as she wants to without exposing an indecent amount of flesh- it’s all about putting together nifty details to form stunning ensembles that are guaranteed to turn heads.

According to the Quran and the Sunnah, teaching and practices by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Muslim women are prohibited from showing off their bodies, and are only permitted to expose their hands, feet and face. But with the evolution of global cultural trends, younger Muslim women are showing that modesty is not equals to a frumpy style. Owning their own niche in the online fashion space, we now see Muslim women looking all shades of fabulous in their hijabs, kaftans and other pieces of clothing that keeps their skin elegantly under wraps. One of such women is Yasemin Kanar, a 25 year-old fashion blogger, and Melanie Elturk and our very own London based Hajia Belle, a stylist, personal shopper and makeup artiste who have become  reference points for upwardly-mobile Muslim women who are well-versed in popular fashion culture.

From neon and pastel-colored maxi skirts, floral print kaftans to hijabs- which are sometimes incorporated with well-tailored blazers and denim jackets, Muslim women are holding no bar when it comes to scoring high points in the style game of the contemporary age. The evolution of hijabs has grown to the art of stylish caps with bows to the side and they come in vibrant colors.

Muslimas (as they are fondly called) have created style staples that are really funky and edgy as opposed to regular traditional apparel; (guinea brocade or lace fabric sewn into skirt and blouse or an Abaya with a long hijab). They look so good that even though I’m not one of them, yet am inspired to rock some of the outfits. And that’s what true style is all about. When it gets to a point whereby, a look is not seen as peculiar to a certain category of people or that can be worn only by a group of women based on tradition or religion, until then can it be considered a classic, timeless and versatile piece. That to me is a success in the style culture.

Ramadan Kareem to my Muslim brothers and sisters.

Kelu Ogunleye
IG: @keluogunleye

PHOTO CREDIT; TESLIMAT ADEPEJU YUSUF