Less Talk, More Posting

Maybe it's because my birthday is coming up, or maybe in a pre-emptive strike to be prepared for any weddings or bridal showers or glamourous baby showers, or maybe it's just that I've perused one too many post-award show galleries, but I've got gown fever.

I saw a few friends this weekend who also 1) requested that I post more and 2) asked if I had any evening gowns up my sleeve. And yes, yes, I do.

These:

I particularly love the skirt:

 

A New Year's Eve Outfit to Dream About (While Sleeping Through It)

Happy New Year everyone! How did you all spend your new year's eve? Admittedly, I'm not much of a New Year's person. To me, it's another day with a lot of hype - I mean, technically, couldn't any day be a new year's day to count the revolution of the earth around the sun? I prefer to create my own new year whenever I feel like it or think it's needed!

I rang in 2015 in bed, having gone to sleep a few hours before midnight, waking up the next morning, refreshed, relaxed, and spent the next hour going through everyone's new year's photos and videos (my favorite were from a Facebook friend named Melissa, who posted a "dance floor" video of a living room full of kids 4 and under TEARING UP THE FLOOR. Now that's a party worth staying up for!)

However, if I did have plans, I would have ensured my outfit would be all sparkles and sequins and enough glamour to make me feel shiny and new. What I covet most is my friend Tania's Alice + Olivia emerald green embroidered hi low ball gown skirt, which she donned for her brother-in-law's wedding this past fall. I can't get over how ravishing she looks.

What it lacks in sequins and sparkly it makes up in spades in glamour. I've already told her I plan to borrow that skirt multiple times, even if it's just to go on a Target run.

Going back to sparkly sequins and shimmery clothing, I love the idea of wearing a sequin skirt - be it, maxi, midi, or full out long. I love this look below from A Pair + A Square:

Looking for a sequin, sparkly skirt that's a bit more modest than the typical new year's outfit? These skirts below are on sale - most are under $50!

I'm really tempted to get this one - my 32nd birthday is on its way! - but I've put myself on a restricted spending limit so any new birthday outfits might have to wait this year. Alas, being a grown up stinks.

So what would I have worn from my pre-existing wardrobe? Shimmery, sparkly gold eye shadow, long dangly earrings, and this top:

I picked it up from the Neiman Marcus x Target collection a few years back and it's still a resident in my closet. With the navy Sabine pleated maxi skirt I picked up last summer and a pair of ankle strap heels, I'd happily have subbed for a new year's disco ball.

While this top is sold out, pick up one of these sequin tops for your next big night out.

Snag Her Style: Jessica Alba Modesty

Upcoming award season?  Fall or winter wedding?  Big birthday party?  Graduating?  This call for a special look and what better stylist than Jessica Alba, who at the recent ALMA Awards flaunted her eye for style without actually flaunting any part of herself.

While it would be nice to own the actual items that Jessica is wearing here, unfortunately they add up to more than a semester of tuition for me.

Barneys New York Evening Dresses · Barneys New York Tops

So instead, try these one for size in much friendlier prices.

Long Skirts
Longsleeve Tops

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

Celebrating Eid in College

I did not exit college with many regrets.  Yes, it would have been nice to study abroad.  There are also a few semesters for which I'd like to hit a giant restart button.  The one that plagues me most is that I don't recall celebrating Eid al-Adha...or even Eid al-Fitr...while in school.

I have no other reason than I didn't make it priority.  Granted, I was in school and there were classes and finals to attend, but in looking back, it would have been nice to do something - wear a new shirt, have an extra piece of cake, skip a class to go to the local masjid for Eid namaz/salaat/prayer (choose your term).  Something to mark what is in Islamic calendar a momentous few days.

So to all college Muslim female students out there (especially those who may not be able to break away from school):  make it a point to live it up this upcoming Eid al-Adha.  En route to your morning class, take the time to dress nicely (as is sunnah) and remember the day is more than just about getting through it.  No need for a grand gesture, but break out a sparkly belt or a pretty dress you are saving for a special occasion and proudly celebrate Eid!

Need a few ideas on how to revive that outfit?

A shimmery tunic with gold bead work from Rock and Republic, available at Kohl's for $19.50, paired with a toned out gray ballet wrap from Target , and classic black dress pants add a blare of color to an otherwise muted outfit.

Longsleeve Tops
Dress Pants

Add some sparkly to a neutral-toned outfit!  Pair this Mossimo maxi from Target for $29.99, knit cardigan from Old Navy for $18, and chevron sequin-striped tank from Delias for $19.50 for a "did I just see that?" double-take.

Cardigans
Tanks

Don't be shy to go all out with a gold-sequined tank peeking out from a coordinated cardigan.  This tank is available at Forever 21 for only $12.40, and the cardigan is a staple buy from your local Old Navy (for only $18!)

Tanks
Cardigans

Showdown of the Career v. Cute Shirt

Let's just kick this off with reiterating how much I love sequins.  And how much I love H&M.  And if I haven't said it already, how I love fall.

Now that that's settled, I want this SO badly.  There is an H&M near my campus and sometimes I stop there if I have extra time prior to class, but tomorrow I am scheduled for a pre-class career appointment.  Going to the appointment would prevent me from purchasing this shirt tomorrow.

Career appointment v. cute shirt.  What will win?  What SHOULD win?

H&M sequin top, $9.95

An Evening to Remember - Proper Toppers

As Muslim women, we go to great lengths to ensure the propriety of our dress, especially that clothing not intended for Islamic modesty, like evening gowns.  Cardigans and tops do provide some coverage, however, the lines and loveliness of a beautiful gown can be lost if topped by a frumpy, unmatched cover up.  Below is a compilation of options for a proper topper to ensure that not only does your evening gown meet you Islamic lifestyle and dress, but that you are entirely the bell of the ball in wearing it.

More New York & Co....