[Modest Gym Clothes] A Muslim Woman/Workout Fanatic's Dream Closet 2.0

Two years ago, I published a post on modest workout wear.That post has become, by far, the most popular post I've done. This to me says the sportswear industry is lacking when it comes to providing clothing options for women who seek more coverage in their fitness gear.

Since items from the original post no longer are on sale, here is an updated version of the post with items available for purchase. There's a LOT in this post so make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom.

Click on any image to be taken to the purchase retailer. Be sure to check out the post on modest swimwear too - base layers, swimwear tops, and swimwear pants and bottoms.

Modest Workout Tops

Longer length workout shirts are hard to come by. Even when you think it's long, you do one overhead lift and all of a sudden, everyone can see your six-pack abs (we are talking about one's goals here, right?).

The Nike Women's Epic Long Training top - available here - is not just super-long, but also super lightweight with Dri-Fit technology. It's available on Amazon and at Dick's Sporting Goods stores. Thank you to Aquilla, who pointed this top out to me!

Nike Epic Long Training Shirt

This Nike Dri-Fit Crew Shirt is not as long as the top above, but has a loose fit, and for those who don't like long shirts with their loose bottoms, this shirt ends just below the waist, so you don't feel like you're layered in swaths of cloth.

Nike Dri-Fit Crew Neck Top

Another longer length, Nike Dri-Fit shirt, this top offers a more fitted look but with a longer length.

Nike Women's Seamless Dri-Fit Knit Epic Long Sleeve Shirt

Still looking for that perfect long sleeve shirt? More here! Just remember that if you're working out in the summer heat to pick something that is light weight and loose-fitting. The more fitted an article of clothing, the more heat you'll retain.

In the summertime, I like to alternate between loose-fitting long sleeve and tee shirt workout tops. I fall in the middle of a spectrum where I don't wear sleeveless, but don't mind a tee shirt here or there. For those of you like me, here are a few shorter sleeves.

Giveaway Winner! - Ruche Swim Shirt from Coolibar

Congratulations to our winner, Khadeeja Nadeem!

Khadeeja Nadeem wins a Ruche Swim Shirt from Coolibar - a modest swimming top to wear when she's at the pool or beach this summer!

Check out Coolibar's 25% off sale, going on now!

[Workout Wednesday] Coolibar Swimwear + GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago, I posted about Coolibar, a swimwear company that promotes safe sun exposure. Company founder, John Barrow, named the company after an Australian tree in the outback that provides shelter from the sweltering sun.

While Coolibar's focus is on safe sun exposure, their designs are fall into the modest swimwear category. I tried and tested two items: the Ruche Swim Top in Aquatic Paisley and Active Swim Tights in Graphite.



To say I loved my Coolibar items is an understatement. It's rare that modest swimwear looks cute and covetable. Usually in dark, sun-absorbing black and navy, the paisley print and light grey made me feel less conscious about my choice of swimwear.

My friend Sarah, who was graciously gave up a Sunday morning to meet me at her neighborhood pool and then proceeded to be my photographer (thank you Sarah!), said over and over how much she liked my top, and I COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

Design-wise, it's incredibly cute, with a loose fit and shape. It fell well beyond my waistline, a true tunic length. The top gives the option to wear it as an A-line tunic, or to pull the side ties to ruche it an inch or so. I personally liked the ruched look, but it was a very sporty look overall.

Pulling the sides to ruche the top

Tying the ties

This top was functionally fantastic. I personally love to swim laps so having swimwear made of material that releases water allows for a smoother pool experience. Think any Olympic swimmer: they choose their swimwear based on drag and the more the drag, the heavier you feel in the pool. I felt light and it was easy to move around in the water.

I personally would not swim in the top without ruching it, because it did float up a little. Thankfully the tights felt high enough on my waist that I didn't feel exposure, but it could be an improvement in the design.

As soon as I got out of the water, I could already tell how "dry" I was - which meant for less shivering by the pool. Many women who try to find modest swimwear end up wearing long cotton tops, which tend to hold much water while swimming.

Feeling dry even though I'm dripping wet after a few laps and a game of pool basketball with Sarah.

Coolibar's clothing also guarantees UPF protection of 50+ for the life of the garment, so while you're sitting poolside waiting to dry, you're also protected from the sun's harmful and damaging UVA and UVB rays. Their SUNTECT fabrics are embedded with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the same minerals used in sunscreen, that won't wash out or fade away.

After my swimming adventure, I ran both items through the wash very easily and they held their shape and size - definitely quality products. Their price point is about the same as you would find for other performance swimwear, but right now Coolibar is holding a summer sale special - 25% off plus free shipping on all items, so all the clothes you see here are on sale for 25%!

ALSO, the most exciting thing is that Coolibar is doing a giveaway with Greater Lengths readers! 1 Greater Lengths reader will receive a ruched top of their choice! More details on that here.

Loving this look!

If you're looking for modest swimwear for your next beach trip or even just to hang out with your friends at the pool, head to Coolibar's website and buy buy buy! (and enter the Coolibar giveaway here!)

[Sneak Peak] Modest swimwear, anyone?

I went swimming recently...

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[FAVORITE FIND] Wick-It Wader from Athleta

Last year, after much hand-wringing and deliberation, I purchased this Wick-It Wader top from Athleta. My hesitation came from the price tag - $69 for something to sweat in?! how is that okay? After months (seriously, MONTHS) of wanting it, I closed my eyes and clicked "submit" on the order sitting in front of me. And I have not regretted it since.



I've worn this top at CrossFit, during the Nike Half Marathon in DC, and workouts in-between. To say it's my favorite is an understatement - I look forward to wearing this top and think I work out harder, better, faster, and generally more excitedly because of it.

In all my 13.1 sweaty glory with the Tiffany finishers necklace

I HIGHLY recommend this workout top! As a Muslim woman, I feel more confident when I workout because the top is long - extending well past my waist and over my bottom. While I will wear tee shirts while working out, for my, having my arms covered (yes, even on hot days) still feels better than wearing something I'm worried if crosses over into the "less than modest" category.

Even if you're not worried as much about modest workout clothes, get this top! It's great for cooler workouts - early morning falls, in the winter - because it's quick drying (superior sweat wicking capabilities), lightweight, and comes in fun colors. Plus, what woman doesn't want a little extra ass...et coverage when she's working out?

[Workout Wednesday] Ramadan Running

Working out during Ramadan is hard - it's so easy to just go to bed after iftar or laze around until you do fall asleep. However, with my third marathon 18 weeks away (eek - that seems much too soon!), I can't take it too easy.

I haven't yet found myself treading pavement outside yet, but the plan is to utilize Friday and Saturday evenings to do just that. What generally spurs my motivation is new workout clothes. With the heat, it's hard to find something comfortable yet modest to wear for working out, though these contenders may be making themselves into my closet.

Most of these are tunic-length workout tops, with a few modest workout pants (and sorry Kate W., no running tunics this time). I like the wraps and tops, because they give flexible to add this light layer over a top that may be a smidge too short in the waist without adding too much heat-trapping clothing.

[Workout Wednesday] Wick-It Good

I've been getting a lot of requests for the origins of the tunic workout top I wore at the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC this past weekend (the one where I scored some Tiffany's bling!).




Ladies and ladies, it is none other than the Athleta Wick-It Wader Cover Up, seen here and here! Athleta carries a few different styles of their Wick-It Cover Ups. These tops are great and currently my most favorite product from Athleta. They are meant to be worn as bathing suit cover ups, but are made with their sweat-wicking material, making them ideal for modest exercise clothes! The cover ups all fall past the normal waist line, providing ample rear coverage, and in a rich array of colors for every mood.

They're on the pricier end, retailing at $69, but I got mine on sale for around $40 - well worth the price, I thought.

 Click on all of them to see them in every color!

Athleta Cover-ups · Athleta Tunics · Athleta Tanks

[Workout Wednesday] Clothes That Run

Back in November, I signed up for a half-marathon for this coming weekend, thinking, "April? That's PLENTY of time to train!" Unfortunately, I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold, so I was indoors a lot more than I would have liked to be during the training period.

I've done a few half-marathons before but not really since May 2012. At least this time around, I find myself more confident about the clothing I plan to wear. Distance running clothing is a strategy. You want to be warm when you start, which means donning extra layers. By the time you hit mile 2, your body temperature has risen from the exercise and you find yourself shedding those layers. This is why you often see distance runners in tiny, thin layers - their body is pumping so much blood, they're keeping from overheating.

Finding modest running clothes has been one of the biggest challenges of the sport. Most workout clothes are fitted, curve skimming, which on some level I understand the necessity of design. Too much fabric and you're reserving unnecessary heat. However, with performance materials, modest exercise clothes are possible and available more easily! Exercise fabrics are now created to vent heat, pull away moisture and sweat; it's why I champion wearing performance clothing over cotton any day.

For this weekend's half-marathon, I'll plan to wear my pair of Adidas Adifit pants (seen here) with my Athleta Wick-It Coverup (seen here) and a long Nike sports bra tank. Sunday's weather is predicted to be in the high 60s, so those two layers should be plenty. The Wick-It Cover up is tunic-length, and has rounded hems that are split down the side. This allows my legs to push the top out of the way and prevents it from from getting caught by friction in my...front.

If you're in need of your own outdoor modest exercise clothes (tops and pants!), see a few of the options I pulled together. Click on the item to be taken to the retailer!

Modest workout tops and tunics (don't forget to click on the side arrows to see more finds!)

Athleta Cover-ups · Athleta Maternity Swimwear · Athleta Activewear

Modest workout pants (don't forget to click on the side arrows to see more finds!)

Athleta Activewear Pants · Nike Activewear · Nike Activewear Pants

[Workout Wednesday] Covering my tail with an extra #WorkoutWednesday post!

Because I've been slacking lately on the Workout Wednesday posts, I decided to give you all a two-for-today deal.  See the earlier post here, which focused more on long workout tops. It's almost like I'm covering my own tail.

Spring is elusive but here at last, and which that comes fewer and fewer long pant options for outdoor workouts. Check out the modest workout pants shown here for your spring and summer workouts. Almost all of these are made of performance material, offering sweat-wicking and quick-dry capabilities. These pants are great for those summer walks, gym workouts, and chasing the kids (your own or your nieces and nephews.)

Click on the items below to go straight to the retailers site. Remember, color and size options vary and typically sell out quick!

The North Face Activewear Pants · Reebok Activewear Pants · Reebok Casual Pants

[Workout Wednesday] A New Crop of Long Length Workout Tops

As I sit here, eating the last of the Lovely Candy Co caramels received at a recent conference, I have to wonder what business I have posting a new Workout Wednesday. I am eating bon bons and talking about fitness fashion. Though what puts one more in the mood for a good, sweat-dripping workout than new clothes?

The focus is on long workout tops today, as requested by my sweet, loyal friend and Greater Lengths follower, Kate. Kate's got the body of a model - made of height and legs and lean muscle. She's a recent CrossFit convert, a running inspiration (she's completed 4 Marine Corps Marathons!) and made a beautiful bride last year to a very lucky guy. In short, she's awesome. Oh yeah, and she's a Rodan + Fields consultant - check out her page here.


Such a woman still has her needs and one of them is tunic length modest tops to reach past her waist. She wrote,

"You recommended a New Balance tank which I am obsessed with. I should have bought 10 of them but I didn't so now I'm on the hunt for a tank that covers my bum."

FYI - she's referencing the blue New Balance tunic running top shown in this post.

Because it's spring (well, except for today, if you're on the east coast - brr!) and because that's as good a reason as any to pick up your spring workouts, here are long, modest workout tops for anyone. Keep in mind that the sleeveless options can be layered with shorter, cropped longer sleeved options to maximize your modesty preference.

Click on the items below to go directly to the retailers page. Remember, if you like the style but not the color shown here, the retailer may have additional color options.

New Balance Sport Tops · New Balance Tunics · Nike Activewear

[Workout Wednesday] Wick-It Coverup from Athleta

Athleta, Gap's high end workout response to Lululemon, has been picking up steam in the retail market and with good reason. I find their clothing to be more diversely styled and with more applications.

My favorite find from them is their Wick-It wader coverups, last seen here. They've redesigned it a bit and - lucky us! - it's on sale for $29.99. These long-sleeved, long tops fall past the waist, providing coverage over your bottom. They are not quite tunic length, but still a modest option for the gym. The material is meant to pull sweat away from your body, providing a comfortable exercise experience.

As with most things I post, these are few in inventory and sizes, so get yours now!

**P.S. I know it's not quite Wednesday but I've missed the last two weeks so consider this a catch-up!

[Workout Wednesday] A 2-for-1 Kind of Pant

I've been seeing these more and more lately - skirted leggings. I think the modest fitness trend is picking up; that or women just really like skirts with leggings.  Either way, these could be a win-win for the modern women looking for a little extra rear coverage for her workout

SkirtSports Skirts · SkirtSports Mid-length Skirts · Athleta Activewear Pants

(Sorry for such a short post today - I've been under the weather for the past few days with a nagging cough and cold that has zapped every ounce of energy from my being. I haven't been sick in FOUR years. Coupled with the few inches of snow we just got [why is it snowing in March?!], I'm just trying to make it to spring in one piece.)

[Workout Wednesday] Modest Gym and Fitness Tops

It prides me to say that the most common reasons Greater Lengths is stumbled upon is the search for modest workout clothes. This implies a lot of things:

1. Women who dress modestly are not letting clothing get in the way of their fitness
2. In general, women are seeking more modest ways of covering up while working out
3. My blog is providing solutions to these needs!

I do get a sincere sense of satisfaction and motivation when I get comments like these on the blog:

In the name of alliteration and all things modest fitness apparel, welcome to the first installment of “Workout Wednesday”, a regular feature which will be dedicated to the fitness clothes available on the retail market that defy the typical body-skimming athletic apparel trend. This is a double benefit for me as I am trying to get back into a normalized running routine and having new clothes is a spring of motivation.

Nike Sport Tops · Nike Activewear · Nike Day Dresses

Please leave comments and your thoughts. I love knowing your opinion!

[Modest Fitness Clothes] Grab Box of Modest Workout Clothes

A woman here has set up swimming for Muslim women on Saturdays and Sundays, which has been great the weekends I can make it.

Some weekends, I'm raring to go - bikini on (it's all women, so I'm a little less inhibited) and doing lap after lap in the pool.  Other weekends, like today, I can barely muster the desire to even look in the direction of the swimming pool and end up skipping out.  It's weekends like this one where I yearn for the hint of spring and a clear sidewalk, where I can go running for miles and miles on end. For me, stepping out of my house and onto the sidewalk for a quick jog is the ultimate way to make use of idle time.

Since half the battle of a Muslim woman's workout is workout clothing, I've pulled together all my favorites currently pinned.

Nike Sport Tops · Nike Day Dresses · Nike Activewear

A few notes:

• Long tank tops can be coupled with short long-sleeve tees for a workout. The long tank provides body coverage below the waist while the long-sleeve tees give you customizable arm coverage

[Modest Fitness Clothes] Powerhouse Tops

Our sweet reader Alison sent me a request while I was travelling in Africa that read:

Hi Farrah! Any suggestions for places that sell modest workout clothes? Thank you and enjoy your travels!

Fitness clothing requests - my favorite! What better way to kick off a new year than with new workout clothes to motivate your through all those 2014 fitness goals? My goals this year involve running a half marathon in May (or is it April? I should really figure that out) and doing my third official marathon in November. Additionally, I’m hoping to get back into my old CrossFit form (hit my 4 year anniversary with CrossFit earlier this week) and take advantage of a womens-only swimming availability at a local pool (send me an email at gotogreaterlengths@gmail.com if you’re in the Northern VA, DC, or Maryland area and would like to get the weekly eVites for more info).


What are your fitness goals for the year? Whatever they are, reach them faster with the right fitness clothes! There is a positive power when you look the part of someone who works out regularly. There is also a positive power when you don’t have to wear sweat-drenched, chafing materials that do not provide the modest coverage needed to make you want to work hard. I’ve assembled a few of the more current and affordable options for modest fitness clothes.

Many of these are from Athleta (from which I am wearing the long top in the video above) but click around and see what you like. Remember, if an item seems “too short”, I’ve likely posted it as something to layer with another longer top or long-sleeved item. Which fitness goals will you accomplish in these modest workout tops?

Nike Sport Tops · Athleta Sport Tops · Athleta Petite Dresses

[Under $50] Starting Line Pants

I ran one of the coolest 5Ks this weekend - Dulles Day: On the Runway - which was a 5K (3.1 miles) that allowed runners to race ON the airport's runway.  While no planes took off or landed while we were running (it was likely designed like that for safety reasons), it was cool to see Dulles from an angle I usually only see while hoping the plane takes off soon or rushing to deplane.

Best joke heard while waiting? "If you see a plane, run perpendicular!  You can't outrun the plane!"

Modest Swim Tops

As it goes, there are few things more depressing to me than "end of summer" sales.  It means the passing of a season of slow movement, frozen everything, and easy strolls along sun-dappled streets.

But a shopper, it means jackpot on a number of items for preparation of the next summer, including swimwear.

While Islamically-oriented swimwear is now easily attained, I still find it lacking in some basic qualities - namely, cost comes to mind.  In the interim, until production meets the quantities of scale (sorry for the super nerdy econ words - I am also an MBA student, after all!) to reduce price, I find substitutes in the more common rash guards.

We've listed one, the prAna "Felicity" rash top, available at Nordstrom or SwimOutlet.com for only $38.  These tops provide long coverage over swimwear, blend UPF sun-protection, and fall well past the waist to a comfortable level of fun-in-the-sun protection.

Stay tuned as we'll be posting more great swimwear sales!

Modest Swim Top by farrahkhan83 on polyvore.com

[Modest Gym Clothes] Long workout tanks and tunics

Workout tops can be tricky for women seeking modest clothing, with the biggest problem generally arising from workout tops being too darn shorn.  Enter the running dress and tunic.

In the last few years, lots of greats (Nike, New Balance, Patagonia) have introduced longer workout tops and tunics that can be coupled with shorter gear to create the ideal modest gym clothes.  These tops fall well past the waist and generally over your bottom for maximum covered.  You get all the performance value too - these tops are sweat-wicking, to keep moisture away from your skin to give you a lighter, more enjoyable workout.

I just bought the New Balance top below for my summer runs and will layer it under a thinner running shirt, to ensure I'm modestly covered and comfortable during my summer workouts!

Nike Sport Tops · New Balance Tunics · Zappos Couture Sport Tops

[Modest Gym Clothes] No floods here

Truthfully, there are some days I yearn to wear tea-length knee skirts and cute retro shorts.  There's a cuteness in some styles with more skin.  But for me, today is not that day and now is not that time.

At no time am I more thankful to have a religious obligation to wear long pants than when I'm at the gym.  Specifically, CrossFit.  We do a lot of crazy stuff and I've learned the more I'm covered, the better (deadlifts cause a lot of shin scrapes, from what I've seen!).  The challenge of being almost 5'7"  is finding long, modest workout pants (and I mean pants, not tights!) that don't come flapping up around my ankles.  It's not flooding, so I don't want to look like I'm preparing for one.

These are my pick for "pants most likely to cover my socks."  Which ones do you like the most?

Adifit Slim Pants

Athleta Pants · Nike Activewear · adidas Activewear Pants

Work It Girls

Readers, you make me happy.

One of the top traffic sources leading you to us this week is "Muslim women workout clothes".  This means, in addition to fulfilling your new year's resolutions, that Muslim women aren't letting the industry-standard fitted workout clothing stand in their way.  One of the goals of Greater Lengths is to raise the voices of American Muslim women to the fitness apparel industry and make them aware that we want to be their consumers, they just need to give a little (literally...seams don't need to be that tight!).

Muslim women out there, like our friend Zainab Ismail, founder of Nadoona Fitness who we met at the 2012 ISNA Conference, encourage active living and exercise with modest dress.  Check her out - squatting and rowing 150 lbs! (Follow her on Instagram and find Nadoona on Facebook!)

I can also relate as a Muslim woman (and semi-fitness fanatic [I confessed to it already]) to the challenge of finding modest fitness apparel and being appropriately covered when I exercise.  I succeed here and there, as you can see. (In some honesty, I did want to post the picture of my abs!)

Looking to accomplish your own fitness and exercise goals?  There can be some obstacles in the way but certainly don't let modest clothing be one of them.  We've again culled some options for you as you make your way to the gym and live that healthy life!

These tops all have longer hemlines or are loose-fitting.  Layer them (especially in this cold!) to achieve the proper amount of coverage for you.

More adidas...

Modest dress pants

More adidas...