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.

Even for the casual visitor, Jordan holds lots of surprises. Sometimes one will find a variety of wild animals scrounging around–even in your own (urban) neighborhood.

This is why one always needs to be well-dressed. One never knows what creatures one may encounter.

Here is an intrepid explorer sporting SHUKR’s Raseem Galabiyya (sorry, it’s currently out of stock), holding a hedgehog. Animal lovers, fear not. This creature, while captured (in style) while encroaching upon human territory, was released gently back into its natural habitat.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve pretty much had it with wearing boots, jackets, tons of layers and carrying an umbrella. I want to wear sandals and long pretty dresses. As soon as the sun was out, we were too. We couldn’t help but catch that pre-summer frenzy. People here in Spain love the beach…okay, almost everyone…and just being outside. I don’t blame them. That bright sunny weather does something good for your spirits and gives you a burst of energy and a desire to do stuff. At least that’s how I feel. So right now, I’m feeling the maxi dresses, lots of prints (and I don’t care if the prints match or not), bold punchy colors, chunky bracelets, and über-cool sandals. So what will you be wearing this summer? Post your comments below or even better, post some pics- I love eye-candy And as always, I do read your comments and respond

-Tabassum Siddiqui, Head Designer

Above: Tabassum in Salobreña

As a blogger, today I did the inevitable. I did a Google search for potential topics to write about. I found some excellent lists, and decided to do my own parody take on how I could bend the ideas to my own purposes. Please let me know in the comments if you found any of them interesting, and we’ll both journey through this together and see what happens.

Here are 22 ideas for blog posts (condensed from here), and I’m going to try to incorporate them all into one post. Enjoy.

1. Write a post by examining the pros and cons of an issue. (Pro: Linen is cool. Con: Linen will not submit to irons).

2. Write a tutorial. (This is how not to write about linen).

3. Take an alternate position. (However, this is actually a great way to write about linen).

4. Write a long comment. (Being a blogger for SHUKR is probably the most fun job I’ve ever had in my life. It’s something I’m grateful for, as I’m able to be creative, hone my writing skills, and make fun of my co-workers in the kindest way possible).

5. Do a post that answers your readers’ questions. (No, I haven’t yet been fired).

6. Create a comprehensive list. (You’re reading it).

7. Invite your readers to submit articles. (Please feel free to send me ideas. I’d love to tell you more about SHUKR. What do you want to know?)

8. Be opinionated in your post. (Stop judging me!)

9. Review your statistics to see what keywords referred your visitors to your site and post about those. (For some reason, when three people searched for “men in dresses,” they found our blog).

10. Contrast two or more positions in a post. (Ironing is good exercise. Ironing is a scourge upon humanity).

11. Make a post that solves a problem. (Go for jersey. No ironing necessary).

12. Make a post that is inspirational. (This is how the Pleated Dresstop changed my life).

13. Make a satirical post. (See above).

14. Post an “advantages/disadvantages” post. (Natural fibers are ‘greener’ but require somewhat more care).

15. Debunk a myth in your post. (Men can indeed color-coordinate).

16. Invite experts to comment on your post. (Since our customers are the experts, feel free to comment below).

17. Pose a rhetorical question in your post. (If I don’t iron my corduroy, will anyone notice?)

18. Write about how to use a product in an unconventional way. (We do not recommend using our clothing for ‘other’ purposes).

19. Create a post that incorporates the words, “desperate” and “futile”. (I’m desperately drinking my coffee in a futile effort to wake up).

20. Make a post alleging a conspiracy (My son regularly conspires with my husband to make me late for work…)

21. Write a post giving a free recommendation. (I recommend our Urban Casual line. You’re welcome).

22. Write a post about something that is merely “good” but not “great”. (Why would I want to write about something mediocre? I’d rather write about SHUKR).

~Beth, Blog Admin

There is a running joke in the SHUKR HQ about some of the questionable fashion choices a few of us make when wearing our SHUKR clothing, so I’ve decided to put together a quick list of please-don’t-do-this-it-hurts-my-eyes- friendly guidelines.

1. White socks and sandals.

Since I grew up in Indiana, I thought this was a regional phenomenon, only encountered when teenage boys ventured outdoors in the snow in the dead of winter. However, I was mistaken. Even when you pair it with the popular Fez Cloak (US), it’s still not a good idea.

2. Jilbabs and sneakers.

This is how you know when you’ve found a Muslimah who grew up in the West. We just can’t get rid of the overwhelming urge for comfortable footwear. I admit my own guilt on this one, as I’m often asked by my husband to change my shoes before going out.

3.  The kufi or scarf that just doesn’t quite match.

You’re in a hurry, dressing and doing 18 things at once. You grab the first thing you find in your wardrobe, and bam. You’ve done it again. More than once, I have also caught myself at the door, sporting a black scarf with a navy blue sweater. Ouch. And, as much as we love our bright kufis here at SHUKR, care should be exercised when matching them with that beige galabiyya you love so much.

Everyone is occasionally guilty of the Islamic clothing faux pas, but if you are a repeat offender and proud of it, let us know in the comments. Can you rock these looks and make me eat my words?

~ Beth, Blog Admin