Muslim women who dress modestly...

You don't think that it's islamophobia having to decide how to dress for fear of attacks?

Yes, sorry someone in a comment said that the niqab was worn for the husband, this is not the case in my experience

I think she means preference.

Yes, I wondered that too.

The niqab is regarded in here to be for the husbands pleasure

what does this mean out of curiosity?

It's not Islamophobia. It's wholly culturally inappropriate to wear the niqab in the UK.

Given that 50% of Muslims in the UK live in poverty, how well do you think that’s going?

Maybe men aren’t questioning you because you’re dressing how they want you to.

Also the niqab doesn't stop you from working so not sure why you all discussing that it is a status symbol..
By the way Muslim women often are SAHM because the Muslim man has a duty to provide, both genders have their duties.

We are not Arabs, but the abaya is my preferred way to cover, especially in hot weather.
It's wide and floaty and looks nice, no need to faff about matching tunic and trousers which are often made of heavier materials.
Under the abaya can have a pair of shorts and a vest, or skinny jeans, or pajamas, whatever I like.
The niqab is regarded in here to be for the husbands pleasure... It is in my experience a religious choice rather than cultural, the ones I know that wear it have a good knowledge of Islam and strive to follow it as much as they can
I personally always wanted to wear it but my husband felt it wouldn't be safe especially when out with young kids unfortunately so he asked me not to, I see his point and so do not wear it for mine and his peace of mind. It is sad but islamophobia is rising.

I think trend is a good way to describe it - I think it can also be a signifier of wealth and status: our family is so wealthy the women never have to go out, so we are able to require this level of observance.

As a Muslim revert,who wears hijab. I normally wear a tunic with trpusers/jeans or a maxi skirt and blouse or a maxindress.

Everyone has their own idea of modesty and no one is wrong or right.

As women maybe we should just respect how others choose to dress and leave judgement at home.

I have daughters. They aren't expected to wear anything. It will be their own choice
I ahve friends who's daughters who wear hijab as they want to be like mummy.

Some people come over from hot countries so they don't feel our heat as its not as hot as where they have just come from.

Women reallt are their own worst enemy. I have never been questioned by a man on how I dress but I have by many many women. Sad.

Men dominate everything; using women's bodies to sell perfume for example - we are sexualised.

A female air hostess is required to wear makeup and heels otherwise she is looked down on and seen as unprofessional - why does the same not apply to men; surely they also have bad skin, bags under their eyes and fine lines which they can cover up with makeup?

Men victim blaming rape victims and questioning what she was wearing, how much alcohol she had despite the fact she was raped and said no.

There are so many more examples, those are just a few.

I don't think it is sad if people are following what they want to do.

Competitive swimmers and gymnasts are increasingly wanting to wear less revealing suits and I don't think it is related to feeling vain or self conscious!

How is it related to patriarchy?

It is sad, I agree with you and as mentioned in a previous post it's all mainly due to patriarchy.

Getting older, I feel more insecure unfortunately; all these creams and procedures aimed at me, it's not helping!

Women are used as commodities by the industry to sell clothes, expensive and unnecessary procedures, we are also sexualised so much in the media.

Wearing a headscarf saves me from some of it and I feel good.

In an ideal world, where men are respectfull of women and women are not made to be eachother s enemy/ competition it wouldn't be this way but I don't think we'll ever get to that state...

Firstly, black abayas / burkas / niqabs are not how observant Muslim women everywhere would dress - this is more associated with Gulf States like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait (where to be fair lots of men would also wear a long loose robe over their regular clothes and a head cover). That style of dress is not common in middle class communities in Egypt/Lebanon for example and is generally seen as a bit excessive.
This is bang on. The spread of the all black, full length, face covering kit across the world, including the UK, is fairly recent. 30 years ago Muslim women wore what was the traditional dress in whichever country they came from.
That’s why, growing up, the Muslim girls I knew in the uk wore salwar kameez but no head covering, as they would have in Pakistan. Their mothers wore a light, pretty, draped headscarf.
It’s pretty disingenuous for anyone to claim that a niquab or a burka is a neutral free choice, or that it is comfy. It’s a trend. It can also be deeply fetished, in a sort of “ look how submissive I am/ my woman is”.
When a UK Muslim dresses as a Saudi it’s pretty much cosplay, because it’s really never been a thing here ( or most countries). It must be unbearable on a hot beach.

But it's sad. One of the great things about getting older is stopping giving a shit what anyone thinks and losing that self consciousness as well as the vain belief that other people are looking at you.

Wear that bikini

We still do not feel the same amount of pressure; it's a lot less. I say this as someone who had to worry about my figure and whether my breasts looked good in a strapless bikini top when going to the beach a decade ago.

yep

Muslim women see other women in safe spaces…. They are 100% going to judge each other.
They wear clothes underneath …. It can be tight jeans, sexy top … their friends CAN see them.

Was in a Muslim country recently and on the beach there was a range of women, some completely covered who rolled up trousers, some didn't. All appeared to be having a very nice time and participating freely.

It's the fastest growing religion in men's prisons.

Why a woman would convert especially to Islam but really to any of the Abramic religions (apart from the usual reason of being fannystruck by some man) is beyond me.

Thank you for this. It’s interesting to hear other perspectives. I am interested in other cultures, I wouldn’t be sure if I should ask in case I offended or appeared critical, or that I was just being nosey. It’s good to learn.

Of course we do, but I think the poster means they don't feel the pressure to do it as much as they will not be judged by their appearance (not visible).

I have a fake tan on right now which has gone a little patchy in certain areas but as I am not showing any of my legs or body, I don't have to stress about it fixing it just yet and can go out and about in my linen trousers and long sleeve linen blouse without worrying what others will think of me - women can be even more judgemental when it comes to these things!!