Waking up in the morning, I wander over to my closet. Opening the door and rubbing my sleepy eyes, I silently wish I had someone to pick out an outfit for me. Something that fits me well, and doesn’t look like it was designed for the me that existed 15 years ago.

I’m sure even the most dedicated fashionistas among us have mornings like this.

As I’ve gotten older (and had kids) instead of searching for a look that makes a statement, I’ve lowered my goal to something that flatters my post-childbirth 30-something figure. As this brilliant video satire attests (ladies only, please), almost none of us are born with the kind of equipment we are shown in advertising or are bombarded with in the media. For a more serious take on why our perception of beauty is tainted, if you haven’t seen it already, do watch Dove’s very quick inside look from the beginning of a beauty ad to the end result (again, ladies only). Futhermore, research is starting to show that campaigns (such as Dove’s) that showcase “real” women can be just as effective without leaving the rest of us feeling bad about ourselves.

All that aside, I have a few quick tips for dressing in a way that is modest AND flattering (meaning, you look nice–not provocative).

1. Know thyself. Without taking Shakespeare too far out of context, let’s state the obvious: everyone’s body type is different. Tall, short, longer abdomens, shorter abdomens, well-endowed, not, round, square, freckled, whatever, we are all different. This means that you should bear your particular shape in mind when shopping, even at SHUKR. Though that really cute tunic comes in size medium–the size you always buy–keep in mind that the cuts and design may be significantly different. I look terrible in anything with an empire waist, so I avoid it unless I’m looking for maternity wear. Instead of shopping blindly, one needs to get a sense of what they look good in, and what designs will almost always be a fail for your particular body type. If you don’t know, go out, try on a lot of stuff, and bring a friend who will give you an honest assessment. Take notes. This is the first step in building a wardrobe that will last, and for avoiding time-consuming returns and exchanges.

2. Know thy garment measurements chart. This is NOT the body sizing chart (which gives only general guidelines); rather, it gives the measurements of the top, skirt, jilbab, etc., itself. You can take these measurements and measure a garment at home that already fits and flatters. I know it seems like work, but the big payoff is knowing without a doubt that the piece you’re ordering will fit beautifully.

Here is what the link to the garment measurement’s chart looks like (see: under Fit and Sizing):

When you click on it, it looks like this:

3. Love thyself. Not in the creepy narcissistic sense, but in a healthy, peaceful, grateful sense.  If you need to work on being healthy, then go for it. Be the best version of you that you are able to be, but don’t get down on yourself every time you pass the newest issue of Cosmo in the supermarket.  Remember: not even Angeline Jolie looks like Angelina Jolie–that image has passed through the wonder that is Adobe Photoshop. If you buy clothes that fit properly and work well with your  particular figure, you’re well on your way to looking your best.

Working one day in our SHUKR HQ, I found myself amused by the fact that my male co-workers always show up in galabiyyas or thobes, which are, by Western standards, basically dresses, (also referred to by some as “unbifurcated garments“) and I unfailingly wear pants to work. While this kind of upside-down office dress culture is not purposefully a revolutionary statement, it deserves to be recognized that in Western societies, men, at least, are more restricted in their clothing choices than women. (Conversely, but on a somewhat unrelated note, I found myself telling my co-worker that “I just don’t have time” to wear skirts because they make me trip. Non sequitur anyone? Yes, I’ll take two, please).

Borrowing a bit from Jean-Jacques Rosseau, it all comes down to this: man was born free, and he is everywhere in jeans. While being relegated to slacks and shirts isn’t exactly on the same level as living under a non-democratic form of government, wearing this kind of clothing shouldn’t be restricted to just Saudis and Scots (not that there is anything wrong with kilts per se (other than they make everyone around you uncomfortable and plaid is impossible to match with anything…but, I digress)).

As for most things in life, we at SHUKR have the answer. Don a galabiyya! Deck yourself out in a thobe! For men who secretly covet the freedom that wearing a dress can offer (without trying to pass yourself off as “goth”), the simplicity, or even the overall dignity of the look, you don’t have to abide by culturally prescribed norms and taboos! More than a counter-cultural statement, you can finally go out in public without pants.* (You’re welcome.)

*Editor’s Note: In this article, the term “pants” refers to the American usage, not the British usage.

We’re so happy to announce that after a lot of hard work, our USA website has a new look and some great new features:

1. A more professional contemporary look!

2. Wider width for wider screens.

3. Larger images to see the clothing more clearly!

4. An enhanced page arrangement to make shopping easier!

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

We’re rolling out something a bit new, especially for those of you on a budget!

Every week, we’ve started featuring three items (one on each of our websites) that we discount by 50%, and just for that week. You really have to move fast, because once these item are gone or the week is up, the deal is over! Usually, this discount is on top of the sale or clearance price, making it a really, really hot deal.

All you have to do to take advantage of these deals is to go to our Facebook page, and like us! At the beginning of every week, we’ll post the coupon code. You could also get the code by following us on Twitter.

This is the perfect opportunity to try out a style or garment that you’ve been hesitating to get, and to tell your friends to try us out!

I’ve recently run across some pretty outstanding faux pas involving white thobes, and just wanted to pass along my observations for the fashionably challenged among us. If you like to sport a thobe or galabiyya, here are a few tips to avoid some of the more egregious blunders I’ve seen lately.

1. White thobe plus black high-top sneakers, without socks.

Now, I know that the “sockless” look is coming back, but this is no excuse to go overboard. Besides being kind of gross, going sockless in your sneakers (made worse if they are “high-tops”) just looks icky to me–especially if your chosen footwear is a throwback to 80′s chic. If you’re still rolling your pants, then stop reading because we simply will have to agree to disagree. If you compound this already doomed ensemble (high tops minus socks) by pairing it with a white thobe, you’ve stepped over the danger line. This outfit can only get worse by proceeding to combinations 2 – 4, as listed below, or pairing your favorite kufi with your new mullet.

2. White thobe plus baseball cap.

While this combination doesn’t have the gross factor of number 1, there is just something so incongruous about it that I find it irritating. There are some blends of East and West that should not occur, and this is one of them.

3. The uber-transparent white thobe.

No pictures necessary for this one. The small bit of advice I have to give is that if you can see the print on your t-shirt through your thobe, it’s just too transparent.

4. The white thobe that is too tight.

This is probably the most common faux pas I run across. If it stretches at any point over your frame, it’s time to go a size up.

This garment can be done right, and when it is, it looks really sharp. If in doubt or fearful of any new combinations that strike your fancy, ask your wife. Barring that, your sister, mother, aunt, even one of your brothers shouldn’t let you down and leave you to commit fashion faux pas of this magnitude. If you disagree and have a picture of yourself making these looks work, I really, really, want to see it (except numbers 3 and 4). Feel free to post it to our Facebook page and make me eat my words.