Evolution of the Overgarment Part 2

    

A little better but just a little....

Recently I had a conversation with a friend about the necessity to dress in a more western style to excel in the workplace.  My argument however was that it is achievable WITHOUT sacrificing ones Islamic identity. Side Note: Say what you will-but if your career is centered in an environment where the majority is not Muslim then you will have to modify your dress to a degree.  Alhamdulillah, there are places in Philadelphia (amongst other areas) that allow you to display your Islamic identity in the manner that you see fit.  But in most parts of the United States you are part of a minority and in order for you to excel you will have to assimilate.  Now don't get me wrong I am the last person in the world to promote the secularization of Islam.  My aim has always been to form a happy medium, and I personally believe that you can assimilate without sacrificing your identity.  I know, I know-get to the point! All right, I shall step off my soap box lol.  So in Part 1 of the evolution of the overgarment, I left you guys with me returning to my roots so to speak and trying to find a jilbab that made me feel the most authentic as a Muslim American woman.  And honestly it wasn't until 3 years ago that I actually even considered any sort of jilbab type garment.  I mean thank God the limited (you know the store) had that season where they carried those shirt-like dresses because my uniform for a loooooooooong time were those little shirt-dresses and a pair of dress trousers under it.  The only other option that I would have considered was the layered look, but that requires too much time and energy for me.  Alright I've gotta go on a little rant here......  Don't get me wrong, I really like some of the layered looks that a lot of western Muslimahs utilize as their form of proper hijab and I don't think there is anything wrong with it when it is done properly (Amenakin of Pearl Daisy does a wonderful job with the layered look).  I do it at times too-when I have the time.  And the operative words here are WHEN I HAVE THE TIME. I mean finding the long sleeve shirt to go with the short sleeved shirt that you want to wear and the longer shirt that you gotta find to go over the shorter blouse and then you gotta find the matching cardigan to top it all off and oh are these pants too tight to wear with this shirt and vice-verse...and then everything has to be color coordinated smh.  I'm a super single mom with two pre-school aged children, I have a full time job and I am not nearly organized enough  to put together a 10 piece ensemble at 4:40 in the morning (which is the time that I get up by the way)...........So, actually I was cool with the whole dress over pants thing but, I have to admit that I was getting a little bored and missing the practicality of  slipping that one piece garment over your normal clothes   So,  I ordered two garments from an on-line store called Shukr-whom I love by the way.  And I thought many of their garments were practical, modest, and well made......but I hate to say it.....most of their clothes are missing that "fly factor" which I know may or may not be of importance to many of you and it isn't to me, all of the time.  But every once in a while I do like to feel a little fly- I’m from the Biggie era (you know-Versace stays watching you) - astagfirAllah, I can't get away from it LOL!.......So I'm scrolling, scrolling through facebook (a little over 2 years ago) and my eyes fell across this dark- denim garment with a ruffle that started from the waist and went down the length of the garment.  All I'm thinking is-,Woooooooooooow the jilbab has truly evolved! Or has it?  So I read at the bottom that it is for sale and to call if interested.  Heck yeah, I'm interested!  So, I called the number thinking it was an on-line Islamic Boutique, and the sister on the other end says she is co-owner of an Islamic Clothing Company, and that she makes all the clothes for it.  So, my thoughts goes back to North Philly 1996-a garment with strings hanging, having to look for my own material, unsurged edges.  So, I’m a little nervous....and I think this sister could tell.  So, she says to me in this super-confident voice.  Just give it a try-you will not be disappointed.  So, I take a deep breath and 3 days later (I was nervous as hell- I mean it was fb after all) I call her back......