Reader Request: Eid Evening Gowns

A few years back, a friend invited me to an iftar night out - essentially, grabbing iftar at a halal-friendly eatery (in this case, the wonderfully satisfying Burger 7 where I had not one but TWO burgers to break my fast).  Conversation got around to what and where we're finding Eid clothes.  I generally look for Pakistani clothes, which either my mom or me will find at the 11th hour, but I embrace anyone who wears American clothes to celebrate - because being American is part of our identity, in addition to any ethnic or other cultural practices we have.

Back to clothes...Yasmin is looking for a sleeved evening gown, and was willing to put down up to $150 for a nice gown for Eid.  She wears hijab and prefered not to have to jerry rig any gown to be modest, but will do it if needed.  Additionally, she stated she's looking for more "muted" colors, but you guys know me - I live for sequins and embellishments.

A long-sleeved gown in the summer months can be tough, but I put together a few to get Eid clothes shopping kicked off. It's no DKNY Ramadan Capsule Collection, but these might be slightly more Eidee-friendly. Click on the images below to be taken to the retailer!

**Disclaimer: Sizes and stock are limited AND some of these may need to be more modestified than others for Eid.**
1) Laundry by Shelli Segal: $53.99 // 2) House of Fraser Jersey Maxi: $54 // 3) Laundry by Shelli Segal Lace Floral Gown $108 

Laundry by Shelli Segal <span>Evening Dresses</span>
House of Fraser <span>Evening Dresses</span>

1) BCBGMaxazria Long-Sleeve Meredith Gown: $134 // 2) Twelfth Streeth by Cynthia Vincent: $274 // 3) Eliza J Portrait Collar 3/4 Sleeves: $194

Eliza J <span>Cocktail Dresses</span>
BCBGMAXAZRIA <span>Evening Dresses</span>

And a few others that wouldn't fit into the layouts. Click on the images to be taken to the retailer!

Now you're just a shopping bag I used to know

I almost hit the "confirm" button on these items, tempted - INCREDIBLY tempted to buy buy buy - but I took a look at my Evernote list of things I "want", and feel like I should focus on procuring those items, crossing off that list, before moving on to more clothes.

But in the meantime, take a look. Maybe you'll find something you like!

Asos Pants · Glamorous Dresses · Dorothy Perkins Cocktail Dresses

FAVORITE FIND: Luxe Geo Palazzo Trousers from Dorothy Perkins

I've really been feeling the ultra-wide pants lately (did you see the post and inspiration on palazzo pants here?). Trends that toe the edge of fashion are sometimes slow on the uptake in most US stores, so I'll look at our friends across the Atlantic for shopping finds.

These palazzo pants are everything I like in a fashion-forward modest style item: bold pattern, eye-catching color, and of course, discounted price. If you weren't able to grab the wide-leg palazzo pants from Anthropologie last week, check out Dorothy Perkins' option below!

Click on the item to be taken to the retail site.

Luxe Geo palazzo trousers

[Sweet Modesty] Reader Request: Long and Maxi Cardigans

Not too long ago [oh shoot, my email says 8 days ago], I received a request from a reader at Sweet Modesty.

As you may have heard, Sweet Modesty + Greater Lengths have joined forces to provide you an exclusive service for making modest shopping inquiries.  Among our first requests, this reader is, not surprisingly, looking for long cardigans.

Hawa writes:

Hey, I've been looking for long/maxi cardigans, I can't seem to find petite sizes nor a reasonable price. I hope you can help me!

Hawa, of course we can!  Thankfully, the timing is right for us as we're hitting the first batch of seasonal sales at retail stores all over.  These long sweaters, also called boyfriend sweaters, for their long lines and easy fits, pop up but rarely does there seem to be more than one of these types of sweaters in the store.

I've gathered a few of them here - divided between neutrals (tans, black, whites, creams), colored (a rainbow of them!), and finally - dusters.  Dusters are the comfy, more stylish alternative to a great sweatshirt.  They're not as hefty as sweater coats, but usually longer than boyfriend cardigans.

What do you think?  Which one of you is making you reconsider your November clothing budget right now?

Neutral-toned long cardigans and boyfriend sweaters:

XCVI Cardigans · jcpenney Cardigans · Free People Cardigans

Colored long cardigans and boyfriend sweaters:

Ann Taylor Petite Sweaters · Gap Petite Sweaters · Lucky Brand Cardigans

Dusters:

Chico's Cardigans · Loehmann's Women's Fashion · Loehmann's Cardigans

The 2013 Black Dress Dilemma

It's the challenge that inspired this blog and my mission:

The quintessential "little black dress," which fashion houses all over America claim every woman owns.

But not this girl.  Not if you're a modest dressing, style-savvy woman who makes a conscious decision that her body is not for show.

While I always hope, and love to hear, that this blog helps women everywhere - particularly those who look for clothes that help them stay covered up with long pants, maxis, and longer sleeves - find stylish and affordable clothing, the challenge of finding the perfect black dress still remains.  To date, especially in the summertime, I don't see black dresses at the usual suspects - the Macys, the Gaps, the Marshalls, the Anthropologies, the Banana Republics, the H&Ms, the New York & Cos, the Nordstroms, and anywhere else in between.

I firmly believe that the market and these retailers can stock items in their stores that stray away from the usual need to equate summertime with "bare it all." If you know me, you'll know my mission in life is to bring modest clothing into the mainstream.

As a tribute to the effort that planted the seed in my head, and to the constant battle that women who choose to maintain a modest and stylish dress code, here are my yearly picks for summer black dresses.  Criteria are as follows:

• Must be a dress that falls at my mid-calves or lower
• Must be contemporary
• Must be wedding appropriate
• Must be easily styled with a bolero, shrug, or cardigan without looking odd/frumpy to cover up bare arms
• Must be under $100
• Should not look like something a witch or your grandmother would wear (unless your grandma is Anna Wintour or Audrey Hepburn)
• Must be predominantly black

Here are my three favorite finds:

KNT By Kova & T Chiffon Carved-Neck Maxi Dress

Black/white panelled maxi

River Island Lace Maxi Dress

If these don't satisfy, here are a few others I found:

Topshop Dresses · Dorothy Perkins Evening Dresses · Piperlime Dresses

[Under $50] Stock up on Spring and Summer Maxi Skirts!

We're keeping today simple.

Do you like or want or need a maxi skirt?  Yes?  Awesome.

Do you want to spend less than $50?  Yes?  Awesome.

Are you looking for fun spring and summer colors?  Are you trying to maintain modesty in your style but still have a great sense of fashion?  Yes and yes?  Done.

(Click on any of the items below to be taken to the retailer.)

Dorothy Perkins Long Skirts · Asos Long Skirts · Full Tilt Teen Girls' Skirts

Reader Request: A Black Tie Affair (and a Well-Deserving College Senior!)

Our reader, Arfa Aijazi, our favorite senior at MIT and recently featured on the front page of their website for all her accomplishments, wrote and requested:

"Salaam! I hope you're doing well. I had a favor to ask you Mademoiselle Greater Lengths, so my school's senior ball is coming up on Saturday. It's a full black tie affair and I have a gown but I'm having a hard time finding a short jacket or shrug. My dress is plain so I'm looking for something embezzled or metallic: gold, silver, ivory, any neutral really."

Lela Rose

Her gown, a beautiful one-shoulder floor length Lela Rose stunner, will be in eggplant - a shade flattering to every skin type.  Without taking away from the ruffle, but ensuring a good modest look, long-sleeved boleros are the way to go.  The key is the search term "bolero" over "shrug," which generally brings up cropped cardigans perfect for a formal affair.

(Click on any of the modesty options to link directly to the retailer.)

Cardigans
Blazers

Since color blocking is also in style these days, another route would be to add another punch of color to the dress (which might even go with Arfa's hijab!) in tropical shades.

(Click on any of the modesty options to link directly to the retailer.)

Cardigans
Cardigans

Finally, in a move I now call "Kate Middletoning," add lace sleeves underneath!  That prevents one front having to cover up a dress but at the same time maintaining a look of modesty - and on a dress like this, it should be a star of its own (like Arfa!).

(Click on any of the modesty options to link directly to the retailer.)

Longsleeve Tops
Longsleeve Tops

[Under $50] Today's post brought you to by a textbook case of procrastination

While I've been out of undergrad for 8 years now, and a working professional for all of those years, the classic undergraduate ailment, procrastination, never left my body.  I'm certain it is deep within my bones.  Case in point: I am currently working on two homework assignments and my annual assessment for work.  Yes, it's Sunday afternoon.  Yes, I didn't have anything to do (not really, anyway) yesterday.  And yet, it's coming down to the final few hours of the weekend.

In classic procrastination form, I am finding ways to prolong the work as much as possible.  What's the Gmail?  An announcement from Dorothy Perkins about 30% everything?  Ending TONIGHT!  STOP EVERYTHING!

Tunics

So I did.  And now you have these items to peruse and consider adding to your wardrobe.  All under $50!

Dorothy Perkins Tunics · Dorothy Perkins Girls' Jeans · Dorothy Perkins Sleeveless Tops

FAVORITE FIND: Pink Contrast Pussy Bow Blouse

I'm compiling a post for a reader (coming tomorrow!) and came across this.  I'm fighting every bone in my body to not just purchase it now (an extra 25% off if you're a student!).  I love the loose fit and the off-center bow on the mock collar, and the neutral pink on nude chiffon layers.  With a pair of wide-leg pants, this is a great dress-me-up/dress-me-casual top.  Are you as tempted to buy this?

Pink contrast pussy bow blouse

A Quiet Statement

Feeling at a loss for wrods, so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

  

Find your voice here.

Leather Jackets
Teen Girls' Jackets