The Fashion Mujahid marches on, and finds formidable foes lurking in her husband’s closet.

I thought it was hard finding flattering, modest, comfortable clothing for women, even more so to find such clothing made with natural fibers and by workers who are treated and paid fairly. Dodging polyester ovens impersonating garments and designs by those who have never seen an actual woman’s body takes an eagle eye and lots of patience, so I named the effort the Fashion Jihad. I was single when I started the Fashion Jihad, so the challenge of getting my honey into his Friday best brings up some new issues for me, and obliged me to look at some old issues in a new way. Thankfully, my husband is a (mostly) willing subject.

When my husband asked me to pull together an outfit for him one Friday morning, I was confronted with a distressing sight: ill-fitting, frayed, unflattering casual wear, the worst of which was a T-shirt with a fist-sized hole. That he actually considered wearing this stuff in public was bad enough, but to the mosque? It could not be borne; he needed casual wear that fit well and looked good. I thought that this would be a piece of cake, and certain things are easier: no worries about sleeve lengths, no slits to watch out for. Men’s fashions change less dramatically than women’s from year to year, and some have asserted that men’s clothing is better constructed. Keeping the necessary bits covered is not generally an issue for Muslim men while clothes shopping, but finding clothing that can go comfortably and stylishly from work to the masjid for Jumu’ah often is. My husband’s clothes were wearing him- and we both learned a few things while trying to change this.

Many men wear ill-fitting tops: whether too loose or too tight, the result is unbecoming. Fix this by getting a measuring tape to find your actual size. Mail order clothing catalogues usually have size guides; you can also look online.  For mosque attendance, a mite loose is good, but you should not be smothered in fabric. If you’re slender, like my honey, clothes that are too loose will make you look like a scarecrow. Also, try things on! Better to spend a few minutes checking than to have your wife use your shirt to polish shoes while you’re away.

Suggestions:

·         If you have a kurta, dishdash, or other super long ethnic top, get it shortened and wear with Western-style pants. They are more comfortable than your usual dress shirt, and are constructed for a loose and flattering fit.

·         Try linen if you’ve got a bit extra in the area: it won’t cling to your love handles. In colder weather, try a more structured fit or a heavier fabric.

Get great casual sweatshop-free tops here: http://www.followyourblissstore.com/

Or here: http://www.fairindigo.com

Unless you’re in drag, you’ll need a pair of pants that fit well too, so get measured. Good department stores will measure you for shirt and pant size. While in the dressing room, sit and kneel to ensure a good fit. Pants that don’t fit well don’t simply look bad; they slow you down every time you need to adjust them.

Suggestions:

·         Shalwar can be comfortable, but don’t flatter most men’s shapes. Try drawstring linen or cotton pants with a waistband instead- get a few in neutral colors.

·         Men of certain ethnicities may require more room in the seat and thighs than standard sizes offer. Try things on, and get formal items tailored to fit.

Get casual sweatshop-free pants (and more) here: http://www.unionjeancompany.com/
Or here: http://www.cottonfieldusa.com/home.php

Color and Pattern: Guys, you can wear colors without being mistaken for a lost member of the Fab Five, and plaids should only be dueling on a Scottish battlefield.  Use the two wisely.

·         This just in: black does NOT go with everything. Beiges and browns, however, will help you out in many places where black fails- i.e. many brights and pastels.

·         Bold solid colors are great near the face.  Try sage, French navy, aubergine, gold, Bordeaux, etc., for starters- they look good on many complexions, and coordinate well with neutrals, other strong shades and pastels. Many strong patterns are great for accessories, but a plaid shirt will simply wear you. Emphasize subtle patterns, e.g. pinstripes, for basic wardrobe pieces.

·         If you are to be on camera, however, keep red and white away from your face. That is, unless you want people not looking you in the eye for some reason. Maybe those’s why politicians go for that scheme so often- but if you’re honest, try to keep the focus on you, not your shirt.

·         Before you dress, lay your clothes out. If there is more than one strong pattern among your assembled clothing, ditch one or more until one remains.

It’s about balance- give them something to look at, just not too much.

More about wearing colors and patterns here: http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=style&category=style.files&conitem=f15a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

And here: http://mensfashion.about.com/od/wardrobebasics/a/colortips.htm

Accessories:

·         If you’ve got a loud tie, turn down the volume of the suit, and vice versa. The components of your outfit should work together to make you look good- not against one another, and you, for attention.

·         Consider the basic functions of mosque attendance when dressing- if you select shoes that slip off and shirts with sleeves that roll back easily and securely for wudu, you’ll be that much more comfortable. You should wear your clothes- not the other way round.

Recycled fair trade shoes and more- including styles suitable for the office can be found here: http://www.pristineplanet.com/hemp-recycled-shoes-fair-trade-cruelty-free/men's-shoes/1015_a_0.html

Or here: http://www.dankforest.com/

My honey is learning what looks good on his frame and complexion, what makes for comfort and durability in clothing while becoming aware of how what we wear is produced. The Fashion Jihad needs soldiers- and he’s just been drafted.

Be Beautiful to yourself.