Our Modesty Standards

At The Modestful, modesty isn’t just about how you dress. It’s how you wear your values.

With over a decade of experience in modest fashion and extensive research into the Qur’an, Sunnah and various scholars, our co-founder, Ilham, has a deep understanding of modest fashion from a general sense to an Islamic sense.

Modesty is a reflection of intentionality, self-respect and belief lived outwardly. Whether rooted in faith, personal conviction or cultural identity, it’s about dressing in a way that honours who you are, not just how you appear.

To ensure consistency while embracing diverse expressions, our modesty standards are outlined under two key categories:

hijab friendly

This category is reserved for garments that meet the strict standards of Islamic modest dressing and are suitable for hijab-wearing women. To be listed under this category, items must meet all of the following:

  • Not transparent (fully lined or layered so no skin shows)
  • Loose fit with no body-hugging elements
  • Full-length sleeves
  • Ankle-length hem
  • High or modest neckline (no plunging styles)
  • No thigh-high slits or cut-outs
  • Sheer fabrics (e.g. chiffon) must be lined or paired with an underdress

Only products that comply fully with this criteria may be tagged as Hijab-Friendly on The Modestful.

General modesty

This category includes garments that align with the broader principles of modest fashion, even if they don’t meet every hijab-specific requirement. These items should still reflect intention and respect in design and styling.

May include:

  • Long hemlines, minimum above ankle length that offer sufficient coverage
  • 3/4 or elbow-length sleeves
  • Looser silhouettes that don’t overly emphasise the body
  • Layering pieces intended to help customers build modest outfits

Should avoid:

  • Body-hugging fits or short lengths
  • Deep necklines, backless designs, or exposed midriffs
  • Slits, cut-outs, or sheer areas without appropriate coverage

Join the Modest Movement

Be part of the journey as we shape a more considered modest fashion space.