Modesty Fashion Brands That Focus On Sustainability
Posted by Sarah Shahab on 2024 Apr 9th
Fashion has always allowed people to express themselves with versatility, creativity, and intention. From skirts, to pants, to boots, or sneakers, the options become endless of how to mix and match and curate your daily OOTD.
As a Muslim woman, my wardrobe reflects my faith and my values, and exploring modest fashion has been a change in my life that I have quite enjoyed in the past year. Modest fashion to me looks like covering my body from head to toe (excluding my face and my hands), my hijab on my head like a crown, to remind me of who I am and of my worth.
But Modest fashion can also be hard to find, as we are often forgotten about in mainstream fashion brands. The amount of times I’ve loved a brand's looks and aesthetic, but can’t find anything on their site that works for me is endless.
In addition, even though it may not be much additional material that makes modest fashion modest, sustainability—of any aspect—is important. Just like the fashion industry as a whole, the impacts modest fashion has when sustainability is not implemented also has environmental consequences.
The issue is, these brands are often unnoticed and unheard of.
Here are some small modest fashion businesses that I absolutely love! They always put in the extra effort to make sustainability the forefront of their products and operations, and their products are absolutely stunning.
1. Haute Hijab
Every Tuesday, Haute Hijab drops a limited collection of vintage scarves that are made from repurposed materials. Each drop includes chiffon scarves made from deadstock fabrics, bamboo woven hijabs produced from ethically-sourced bamboo fiber, and sport hijabs crafted from coffee beans (crazy right?!).
“Haute Hijab founder, Melanie, in Dubai picking out chiffon fabric for hijabs” (Source: Behind the Scenes – How Melanie Picks Chiffon Prints for Tuesday Drops!)
MyKaftan is based in Dubai and aims to represent the East & the West in the designs of its modest clothing. The founder, Vasilisa Kozhemiako, reenforces sustainability through her brand’s involvement with the Slow Fashion Movement. In other words, MyKaftan does not mass produce their products which allows for less waste to be produced and causes less harm to the environment.
“MyKaftan founder, Vasilisa Kozhemiako” (Source: Designer's Story)
Here in our hometown, one of my top recommendations is for Trendy Nisa.
A small family owned business, they ensure they have as little waste as possible. They are not mass producing their products and they replenish their inventory based on their sale rates. They have beautiful, high quality two piece sets, skirts, and abayas.
You can find them online or visit them in person. The family is incredibly friendly and helpful, and you definitely leave with a piece you will feel good about and that will last you a lifetime.
Headed Somewear is more than a clothing brand. It’s an organization that highlights diversity. Every women, especially Black, plus-sized, and disabled women who don’t always find themselves represented in fashion, can see themselves in Headed Somewear. The brand’s Preserve Collection is a line of products created to spread the message of climate change and global warming. $1 is donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for every purchase that is made from the collection.
Check out these amazing brands and how they help modest fashion lovers as well as you through helping our environment.
5. Firdous
Finally, I also love Firdous, located online and in Toronto.
They’ve got a wide range of hijabs in tons of different colours and materials, all at an affordable price. They also sell Oud, hijab accessories, and beautiful Abayas.
As another small business, they have a tight inventory, ensuring that they leave as little waste as possible. As always, by supporting a small business, you are making a positive change in your purchasing choices, ensuring fair wages and a low ecological footprint.
To Conclude
I truly believe that modesty fashion is a beautiful thing that should be normalized and respected. I look forward to a future where Muslim women are seen and acknowledged, and we are included when fashion designers think of ideas for their new lines and clothing pieces.
Whether you are fully covered or not, wearing something that makes you feel good will ultimately help you discover what you like and how to dress to express yourself.