The Modest Fashion Glossary : Every Term You Need to Know

Modest fashion has a rich, cross-cultural vocabulary that spans centuries, continents, and traditions. Whether you're new to the space, a long-time modest dresser encountering an unfamiliar term, or someone who simply wants to understand the conversation better — this glossary is for you.

No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just clear, honest definitions with the context that actually matters.

A

Abaya A full-length, loose outer garment worn primarily by Muslim women, originating in the Arabian Peninsula. Traditionally black, though contemporary abayas come in every colour, fabric, and silhouette imaginable. The abaya has become one of the most designed and celebrated garments in modest fashion — with designers like Deerah and Abayah Wearhouse producing pieces that are as much art as clothing.

Al-Amira A two-piece hijab style consisting of a fitted cap worn close to the head and a tube-shaped scarf pulled over the top. One of the easiest hijab styles to wear and a popular choice for beginners or for sport and active wear.

B

Batwing Sleeve A sleeve cut that extends from the waist to the wrist in one piece, creating a dramatic, flowing shape when the arm is raised. A favourite silhouette in modest fashion because it provides full arm coverage while feeling light and unrestrictive.

Burqa A full-body covering worn by some Muslim women, including a mesh screen over the face. Most commonly associated with Afghanistan. Often confused with the niqab in Western media — they are different garments with different cultural contexts.

C

Chador A full-body cloak worn primarily by Iranian women, typically black, that covers the head and body but leaves the face uncovered. Held closed by the hands or teeth rather than fastened with buttons or ties. Deeply tied to Iranian cultural and religious identity.

Covered Dressing A broad, non-religious term used to describe clothing choices that prioritise covering the body — long sleeves, high necklines, longer hemlines. Used widely in modest fashion communities to include women who cover for personal, cultural, or faith-based reasons.

Capsule Wardrobe (Modest) A curated collection of versatile, high-quality modest pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. The modest capsule wardrobe typically includes a few key abayas or maxi dresses, long-sleeve layering pieces, wide-leg trousers, and a selection of scarves.

D

Draping A technique in garment construction where fabric is arranged in flowing folds over the body rather than cut and sewn into a rigid shape. Draping is central to many modest fashion garments — the sari, the chador, the wrap dress — and has been used in clothing traditions around the world for thousands of years. When fashion magazines call it "effortless" and "new," they are describing something that has existed since clothing itself.

Dupatta A long scarf or shawl worn across the shoulders, chest, or head as part of South Asian dress, particularly with salwar kameez or lehenga. Carries cultural and modesty significance in Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi dressing traditions. Can be plain, embroidered, or heavily embellished.

F

Farasha Abaya A butterfly-style abaya that is fitted at the shoulders and flares dramatically outward. Named for its resemblance to butterfly wings when the arms are extended. A popular choice for occasions and celebrations because of its elegant, flowing silhouette.

Full Coverage A term used in modest fashion to describe clothing that covers the arms, legs, neckline, and sometimes the hair. Not a rigid definition — what counts as full coverage varies across individuals, cultures, and faith traditions.

G

Gharara A traditional South Asian garment consisting of wide, heavily flared trousers paired with a short tunic and dupatta. Originating in Mughal-era fashion, the gharara is a staple of Pakistani bridal and occasion wear and is known for its extraordinary volume and intricacy.

H

Hijab In its most common usage, the headscarf worn by Muslim women to cover the hair and neck. In its broader Islamic meaning, hijab refers to the overall principle of modest dress and conduct — covering is one expression of it. There are many hijab styles, fabrics, and ways of tying — it is not a single, uniform look.

Hijabi Fashion A term used to describe the broader world of fashion created by and for women who wear the hijab. A thriving global industry that includes everything from everyday casualwear to high-end occasionwear and sportswear. Brands like Official Claude and Deerah sit firmly within this space.

J

Jellabiya (also Jalabiya) A long, flowing garment worn across North Africa and the Middle East, particularly in Egypt, Sudan, and the Gulf. Traditionally a loose, straight-cut dress worn by both men and women, it has evolved into a richly embroidered and celebrated occasion garment — particularly in Sudanese and Egyptian culture. The brand Jellabiya takes its name and inspiration from this tradition.

Jilbab A loose outer garment worn by some Muslim women, covering the body from shoulders to feet. Distinct from the abaya in cut and regional association — the jilbab is more commonly worn in Southeast Asian and some Arab communities.

K

Kaftan (also Caftan) A long, loose robe-like garment with origins in ancient Mesopotamia, later adopted across the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and Persia. Now worn globally and across cultures. Fashion has cyclically "rediscovered" the kaftan as a luxury resort wear staple — its ancient roots and deep cultural significance rarely mentioned in those editorial moments.

Khimar A long, cape-like headcovering that drapes over the shoulders and chest. Longer than a standard hijab and provides more coverage of the upper body. Often worn in more conservative modest dressing contexts.

L

Layering A core technique in modest dressing — wearing multiple pieces together to achieve coverage that a single garment might not provide. A sheer blouse over a fitted long-sleeve. A maxi skirt over a bodysuit. A long cardigan over a short dress. Modest dressers have been mastering the art of layering long before it became a fashion talking point.

Loose Fit A garment cut to sit away from the body rather than close to it. A key principle in many modest dressing traditions — loose fit ensures that the shape of the body is not revealed even when covered. Not to be confused with shapeless or unflattering — some of the most beautiful modest garments are specifically designed to drape and move with the body.

M

Maxi Dress / Maxi Skirt A floor-length dress or skirt. A staple of modest fashion across cultures. The maxi has cycled in and out of mainstream fashion trends while remaining a constant in modest wardrobes — practical, elegant, and endlessly versatile.

Midi Length A hemline that falls below the knee, typically between the knee and the ankle. The midi is one of the most useful lengths in modest dressing — providing coverage without the full length of a maxi, and working well across casual and formal occasions.

Modest Fashion Clothing that prioritises coverage of the body — typically the arms, legs, chest, and sometimes the hair — as an expression of personal, cultural, or religious values. Modest fashion is not one aesthetic, one culture, or one religion. It is a broad, global, and diverse approach to dressing that encompasses millions of women across every tradition imaginable.

N

Niqab A face veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face below the eyes, worn in addition to a headscarf. Often conflated with the burqa in media coverage — they are different garments. The niqab is a deeply personal choice and carries significant meaning for the women who wear it.

O

Opaque In modest fashion, a fabric through which the body cannot be seen. One of the most important words to look for when shopping. The opposite of sheer. A dress that is modest in cut but made from sheer fabric is not, in practice, a modest dress.

Occasionwear (Modest) Formal or semi-formal clothing designed for events — weddings, graduations, Eid celebrations, parties. One of the most exciting and fastest-growing categories in modest fashion, with brands like Deerah, Garfey, and Abayah Wearhouse producing pieces that rival anything on a mainstream red carpet.

Q

Quiet Luxury A mainstream fashion trend describing understated, covered-up, high-quality dressing — long sleeves, neutral colours, expensive fabrics, minimal branding. Widely celebrated by fashion media from around 2022 onwards. For modest dressers, it is worth noting that quiet luxury describes, in aesthetic terms, what much of the modest fashion community has always worn. The difference is the price tag attached to it, and the communities credited with it.

S

Salwar Kameez A traditional South Asian outfit consisting of loose trousers (salwar) and a long tunic (kameez), often worn with a dupatta. One of the most widely worn garments in the world. Modest, practical, and available in an extraordinary range of fabrics and embellishments — from everyday cotton to heavily embroidered silk for weddings and celebrations.

Shayla A long, rectangular scarf draped over the head and pinned or tucked at the shoulders. Common in Gulf Arab countries and popular for its simplicity and elegance. Often worn in lightweight, flowing fabrics.

Sheer A fabric through which the body or underlayers are visible. A persistent frustration in modest fashion shopping — many mainstream dresses appear modest in photographs but are made from sheer fabric. Always check fabric composition and reviews before purchasing.

Snood A net or fabric tube worn to contain the hair, used in some Jewish modest dressing traditions. Also used more broadly as an under-cap in hijab styling to keep the hair covered and the headscarf in place.

T

Tichel A headscarf worn by married Orthodox and traditional Jewish women as an expression of tzniut. Tied in a variety of styles — some simple and wrapped, others elaborate and turban-like. A whole community of tichel styling has grown online, with women sharing creative ways to wear it.

Tzniut (also Tznius) The Jewish principle of modesty in dress and conduct, observed primarily in Orthodox and traditional communities. Tzniut guidelines typically cover the elbows, the knees, and the collarbone, and married women cover their hair. Like hijab, tzniut is not a single look — it is a principle expressed differently across individuals and communities.

Tunic A long top that falls past the hips, often worn over trousers or leggings in modest dressing. A versatile layering piece that forms the backbone of many modest wardrobes.

U

Underlayer A long-sleeve top, leggings, or slip worn underneath a dress or outfit to add coverage. A practical tool in modest dressing — but ideally, a well-designed modest garment should not require one. If you are always reaching for an underlayer, it may be worth investing in pieces from brands that build coverage in from the start.

W

Wrap Dress A dress that wraps around the body and ties at the waist. Beloved in modest fashion for its adjustability and flattering silhouette, though wrap dresses require careful consideration — some styles gap at the chest or thigh. Look for wrap dresses with a generous overlap and a solid, opaque fabric.

Z

Zipped Abaya An abaya fastened with a front zipper rather than open-front or buttons. Practical, streamlined, and popular for everyday wear. The zipper closure ensures the garment stays in place and provides consistent coverage throughout the day.

This glossary will be updated regularly as modest fashion continues to evolve. If there is a term you would like to see added or changed, get in touch. This was completed based on research but if you feel that it does not do justice or that we have made a mistake please get in touch.