Things to wear that are modest but also PRACTICAL

Thanks for your input, I never heard of material that clings so it should be interesting to look up. Actually I wonder if I've seen some winter scarves that go around people's necks that were made of that since they seem to cling.

Note: I don't really mind if what I'm wearing during prayer may be impractical to keep modesty, it's just when I'm elsewhere or outdoors I'm concerned about, especially in rough weather.

bump this up cos ineed advice

Wha... of course they do! Unless all you do is sit, stand and walk in fine weather (bad weather is a whole other matter), then yeah they're not restrictive, but hardly anyone does only those three things. Have you never had to run or hop over a fence unexpectedly? For a bus, for example? Or from drunken chavs? Or just realising you're late for something? Certain clothes will hamper your ability to do this.

Tailors are expensive, aren't they?

Never mind, someone please close this.

format_quote Originally Posted by Amoeba

Does a woman really need a skirt to be modest? Because I absolutely loathe wearing skirts (mostly because I felt restricted from being able to move around freely while wearing them, even the wide, long dresses that kept snagging on things). I don't mind looking feminine, I just cannot stand skirts, dresses, etc.

I have met very very very few Muslim women who restrict themselves to just skirts... I always thought that as long as you maintained the basics of modesty (as in no super tight clothing, making sure you're properly covered, etc...) then you could wear what you wanted? Most practicing Muslim girls I see on campus are in "normal" clothes.

Well I keep getting complaints from older sisters that what I wear isn't good enough (I would have thought it was fine too, certainly nowhere near skinny or revealing). I also wonder if that's why I'm having trouble integrating with the sisters in my city, because my clothing is quite... "western" and masculine. I don't know how to reduce the masculinity without either going one way - too shapely and revealing (I don't like fitted shaped clothes anyway), or the other way, too flowy and get-in-the-way-ey.

But perhaps this wasn't a good place to ask so.. someone please close.

Amoeba, may be you are finding scarves and skirts restrictive because you are not used to them as yet. Many sisters feel so in the beginning, but then after some time and practice they get used to wearing such things. You can also try changing cloth material / style etc. Hope you will get comfortable with it.