A jilbab is an overgarment worn as a modest dress by many Muslim women from at least the ankles, usually with long sleeves. Typically worn over everyday clothing, the jilbab is meant to be a central aspect of modesty, particularly its outward manifestation in dress.

Historical Background

While Islam’s tradition of modest dress has its basis in the Quran and Hadith (sayings and actions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad), the Arabic term jilbab is not actually mentioned in either of those sources. Reviving the jilbab for its own sake often obscures its origins and evolution over the centuries, even as it also answers deep-seated needs and desires associated with Islam. In its earliest uses, jilbab referred simply to a cloak or coat. As the secluded world of Ottoman harems opened to a wider world of European fashion, the jilbab became a signifier of the Islamic veil itself.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Modesty: It’s worn to reverent towards Islamic values of modesty, in which the body ought to be curtailed by clothing which follows religious guidelines.

Identity: For a great many women, the jilbab is a statement of religious and cultural identity. For many, it is a symbol of personal and religious commitment.

Cultural Variation: The jilbab as a style of garment can have vastly different forms depending on the individual culture as well as region, some cases being as simple as a straight-cut smock, or more elaborate or tailored.

Modern Interpretations

In contemporary times, the jilbab has seen various adaptations:

Fashion and Design: Designers have produced various versions of jilbabs, in different materials, colours and patterns, but always conservative enough to be modest. Some jilbabs are embroidered or patterned, others are very plain and simple, just what one would need when doing the shopping.

Cultural Integration: As the jilbab becomes increasingly integrated into global fashion aesthetics, it is increasingly juxtaposed with other elements or matched with other fashions such as jeans or skirts, creating hybrid forms that –