Ramadan Style For Work

by Irene Feeney Steele

Dressing for work can be a daunting task at the best of times, especially if you’re not organised at the start of the working week. With the Holy Month of Ramadan fast approaching, a more modest approach to your working and daily wardrobe is something to consider and start planning. Personally, I like to plan my outfits on a Sunday evening, knowing what ensemble I will be wearing each day. It saves time in the mornings, (as we all know how rushed they can be) and I feel I have a better grasp on the day if I’m not frantically running around, pulling my wardrobe apart, trying to find something to wear. According to a recent Marks & Spencer report, the average female will spend ‘17 minutes contemplating what outfit to wear to work each morning’ – don’t be the average female – get organised!

As the Holy Month of Ramadan is almost upon us, dressing for work during this spiritual time is also something to factor in whether you’re fasting and celebrating Ramadan or not. When it comes to Ramadan fashion – the key is modesty. For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, everyone is expected to cover up more and dress conservatively during the Holy Month. Even though the climate here indicates more of a less conservative stance, both men and women should adhere to a more modest dress code and avoid tight, revealing clothing in particular, so as to not offend those who are fasting. I’ve found myself personally loving and wearing more modest clothes here. From being heavily influenced by Emirati fashion designers and seeing beautifully-designed abayas worn so elegantly by women here, I adore the style and have incorporated more of this into my own wardrobe. Abayas are also the most flattering, glamorous, easy and handy piece of clothing to wear when:

1. You haven’t done your fake tan and

2. You’re having a ‘bloated’ day.

In addition to thinking more about your modest wardrobe during the Holy Month and as most activities will happen once the sun sets – wearing an outfit that will take you from a meeting to an Iftar or Suhoor is something also to consider. Cue, the ever-versatile kaftan. Kaftan ticks all the right boxes for many occasions. Their relaxed silhouettes allow ease of movement creating an elegant shape that rivals almost all other outfits.

Dressing for Ramadan is really easy to adhere to – so don’t panic! Certain conservative rules should really be adhered to where possible. These include:

Cover your shoulders:

Incorporate ¾ sleeve or long-sleeved shirts, blouses and tops or t-shirts into your Ramadan wardrobe. Avoid string vest tops, tank tops and one-shoulder outfits. Add kaftans, abayas, light cardigans or light blazers to wear over your outfits, where needed.

Do not show cleavage:

Avoid tops that reveal your cleavage too much. Definitely do not wear any cut-out dresses or anything that reveals a little side boob to the office. Keep this for beside the pool or the beach.

Cover your knees:

Avoid dresses or skirts that reveal your knees or with slits up the sides throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. Opt for loose and flowy maxi or midi dresses and/or wide-legged trousers instead.

By dressing respectively during the Holy Month – you avoid offending anyone who is fasting. Along with the rules above, other fashion no-nos include – no crop tops (keep those midriffs hidden!), mesh or opaque clothing and anything that reveals a little too much.