Halal Chic

Worth a second glance

2009-10-06T01:38:00.000-07:00

Dont you just love it when your eyes deceive? Maybe im wierd but I love it when I have to take a second look at something and get that, ' ohhhhhh!' moment.

What you see in the picture here is actually 2-tshirts sewn together to create this gorgeous dress.

Pair it with a long sleeved tshirt, jeans and a hijab and you're all set.

For the more adventurous, the hood works too!

Stylecovered previously featured drapes in one of her previous articles which i cant seem to locate now but would link it as soon as i do.

Along the same lines,I love how the piece featured below (discovered on Etsy) is budget friendly, yet fashionable and modest for hijabis. The chest covering drapes are perfectly placed!

Modest Mod

2009-09-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

I love the 80s.
The only problem is that i was born during that decade so the only gratification I can get from that era would be from old pictures.
It also doesnt help that my mum hates to hoard old stuff, she throws things away ( or donates them) on a regular basis, so that means i cant ransack her wardrobe for cool finds like i know some girls do.

Nevertheless, the beauty of fashion is such that the cycle doesnt end there.
I love how the mod dress looks. The only problem is if you're slightly curvy, it can tend to hug your curves and make it more prominent. Definitely not hijab-friendly.

A few ways to wear it and still hold your hijab high.

Style 1.

Modest mod by Halal Chic featuring Seven For All Mankind jeans

When a particular piece of clothing clings too close for comfort, always pair it with something loose to break the outline. Here, ive paired it with the trusty cardigan. It would be great if your dress doesnt hug your bum, and if thats the case, a cropped cardigan worn loosely or even a long-sleeved tee worn underneath would do, but if it does, stick to a long one that comes to the knees.
The wide-legged jeans comes in handy here as it balances out the silhouette. Skinny jeans might work without the hijab, but with it, the effect might be too severe. Think modest and you'd do fine.

Style 2.

Bling2 by Halal Chic featuring Miss Selfridge

If you are looking for something more classy, the mod dress can work just as well. Pair it with a blazer, here I opted for white with a touch of gold.
Straight cut pants, gold slingbacks, accessories to match and you're all set to glam up that event.

Style 3.

military dame by Halal Chic featuring French Connection

Another alternative to the biker chic rage, military chic also made popular with the demise of Michael Jackson. I just love how the buttons on military-inspired pieces seem to tell their own story. In order not to take the spotlight away from the perfectly polished buttons, I've opted for loose flowy pants. Pair it with a pair of gladiators, a leather bag and march on.
(Excuse the pun.) :)

Inspiration, Street Style.

2009-09-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

I realized that most hijabi fashion blogs out there get their inspiration from the runway, and as much as I would like to be garbed head to toe in couture, my empty wallet knocks me on the head and reminds me to get back to reality.

And so i have decided, this blog shall have a slightly different angle. I would take a look at what is there on the streets and attempt to put together a collage of something I would wear. Maybe its function-centric, maybe its genre-centric, or maybe its just something based on the mood i'm in, but it'll definitely be something i'll wear out on the streets.

It might be something slightly different, something that stand out from the crowd, but hey, isnt fashion supposed to be interesting?

Lets get started.

Today i'd like to get to discuss the skinny. No, im not discriminating, I'm refering to skinny jeans. Some websites have firmly stated that this fad is a strict no - no, which i agree when the hijabi is wearing skin tight jeans and a tight shirt, which leaves nothing else to the imagination. Unsightly? I agree.

For a hijabi to pull of this look, there should be balance. First, start off with jeans that you dont need to peel off like a second skin. Theres no harm with buying a size or two larger than your usual size. A good belt will keep it firmly up. Next, since skinny jeans hug the thighs more than it should, all tops it should be worn with should be no shorter than mid-thigh. The closer it is to the knee, the better. For some, this would mean the Kurta ( also known as the Kameez, long shirt or tunic) but I only go that route on my lazy days.

Look 1.

Red rose by Halal Chic featuring Basile scarves

For this look, Ive paired these acid washed skinny jeans with a the babydoll dress which should come all the way to the knees.

Loose and airy on the top and enough coverage to pull of this fad.

Pair it with a black hijab and red accessories, some gladiator flats and you're good to go.

Look 2

I see london i see france by Halal Chic featuring J Brand jeans

On days you wish you can just leave the house in jeans and a tank top, this look is very simple to put together.

A long, loose graphic tee paired with the acid jeans screams ( pun intended) laid back. Since graphic tees are mostly short or cap sleeves, a cotton long-sleeved t-shirt can be your best friend. Its mine. ( Tip: stock up when Zara or Dorothy Perkins are having sales, they can be as cheap as SGD$10 - i usually buy them in all the colours available !)

It is important that the tees are long and fall to the mid thighs, any shorter, as a muslimah, you will just look like a confused Muslimah.

Look 3.

I think it might be friday by Halal Chic featuring J Brand jeans

Yes its the jeans again. The versatility would convince you that that splurge was worth it.

This time round for a slightly more formal twist, pair it with a boyfriend blazer ( think square and loose) and a long tank top. Since the weather can be unforgiving sometimes, i recommend searching for the perfect blazer. ( I found mine at SGD$30 at the best of blogshops at Far East Plaza). Thin material = Happy me.

The only minus point about blazers available these days is that they tend to be with 3/4 sleeves. I'm not comfortable with that so i opted for one of those arm sleeve thingies. Full coverage does not have to be difficult.

So if you have a presentation and refuse to look like something the corporate world spat out, i think this should do the trick.

Note: You notice that most of the footwear featured here are flats. I am a fan of heels but paired with skinny jeans, they scream out abit too much. So try to avoid that unless you're at an all ladies event or parading in your own room. :)

365 Days of the little black dress

2009-09-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

I came across an article of the Uniform Project by Sheena Matheiken, where she wears the same little black dress 365 different ways to raise funds for the Akanksha Foundation for the education of underpriviledged Children in India. Check her out on The Project Uniform. She’s in her 5th month already and I must say, I’m very impressed by her creativity. Some of her styles are very hijab friendly; paired with maxi dresses, jeans, printed shirts and tops with flowy sleeves.

Moral of the story, my dear Hijabis, Layer, Layer, Layer!

Geek Chic - Do you want to go back to school?

2009-09-05T02:16:00.000-07:00

Im currently doing my part time masters at a local university in Singapore and i get all envious of the laid back styles the students are in.

Reminds me of the good old days when sneakers where heels, pointy shoes and other evil footwear that hurt your feet were unheard of (well for me at least).

Inspired by a of Katie holmes in casual laid back boyfriend jeans,

my casual school get up.

Geek Chic - Do you want to go back to school? by Halal Chic featuring Converse shoes

Hmm I wonder if i'll get in trouble for donning this on casual fridays.

Vintage High

2009-09-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Im in love.

The moment i walked into the Chicago Thrift store in Harajuku, Tokyo, i knew i was in shoppers paradise.

I love how hijab friendly old vintage dresses are.

Pair it with pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath and you're all set.

When i say jump, you say how high.

2009-09-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Truly inspired by Style Covered's take on jumpsuits, i decided to take to the stores to locate one for myself. And lo and behold, (ok sorry, drama queen in action here), Zara had some on sale! I got a silver one for only SGD$39.90! A real steal if you asked me.

How high can you jump? by Halal Chic featuring Haute Hippie

Its somewhat similar to the one in the collage above, except that the waist is slightly lower and the legs resemble harem pants.
Now all i need to do is look for a boyfriend blazer thats not too thick, (The heat in Singapore can be merciless, I tell you), paired it with the open toe booties i got at Victoria Jomo in Haji Lane, Im all set for Eid.

I saw some nice boyfriend blazers at the Best of Blogshops in Far East Plaza, but i didnt see a need for it then.

Now all i need to do is convince my mother im not going to be in Baju Kurung or Kebaya this year.

Halal Chic ?

2009-08-30T00:52:00.000-07:00

I am quite amused that http://www.halalchic.blogpot.com/ - (ie, blogpot without the 's') leads you to the mega site of Bible Studies.

Googling Halal Chic, i get to a wiki page explaining what 'halachic' means; a hypothetical theocracy based upon Jewish law (similar to the Islamic theocracies of Saudi Arabia and Iran).

Further reinforces the fact that we do have a shared history, i.e, Muslims, Christians and Jews and nothing beats peaceful co-existence.

At times like this, I feel lucky i live in a country like Singapore.

Ramadhan Mubarak!

Let it snow, let it snow.

2009-08-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

Biker Chic by Halal Chic featuring Forever21

Sometimes i wish this eternally warm island would have some semblance of cold weather. At least then i could whip out the lovely jackets i keep in my ' only to be used during holidays' cupboard.

Sigh

Go Black

2009-08-08T04:59:00.001-07:00

Go Black by Halal Chic featuring James Perse

I try not to stick to the conventional silhouette.

Let's Set Things Straight

2009-08-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

Hijabi- a word that is not proper Arabic but has become part of Muslim parlance—refers to the Muslim woman who wears a headscarf.

Muslimah - a Muslim woman

Halal (حلال, ḥalāl, Halaal) is an Arabic term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law.

Chic meaning stylish or smart.

Now that we've cleared that up, lets move on.