At SHUKR, we have an office culture of wearing what we make so that we know our products, inside and out. We order, wear, layer, sleep in, live in, and clothe our families in SHUKR style. When I began working at SHUKR a mere 8 weeks ago, I noticed the proliferation of one garment in particular in the office. Three different colleagues of mine (out of a staff of 15 in Jordan) own and regularly wear the Corduroy Hooded Jilbab (US, UK) to work. My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked them what makes this garment so special.

Here is what they had to say:

Susan: “It’s comfortable and warm.”

Martha: “The reason I like the Corduroy Hooded Jilbab is because it’s warmer than an abaya but not as heavy as an overcoat; just right for fall and early winter. When it gets chilly, it’s roomy enough to add layers underneath.”

Eman: “I wear it because it’s so comfortable and for me it’s a new style-I’ve never worn anything like it.”

The staff colors of choice are Navy Blue and Camel, but it also comes in Black, Dark Brown, and Khaki Green.

Nice enough for work, warm enough for winter, a good wardrobe basic, and it has pockets…I love pockets. I also think that it’s a great testament to quality when you find employees so attached to the product.

I think I’m going to order mine in Black.

~ Beth, Blog Editor

This global recession has got us all so pinched that getting to the end of the month would be a miracle, and sadly, now just getting to the 15th of the month is the goal. So how can you dress well on limited budget? Having a versatile wardrobe really is the key to having great style on any budget regardless of fashion trends or the economic situation. Almost every piece in your wardrobe will have to do double-duty when it comes to putting together a look. We really can’t afford to have a closet full of singular pieces that cannot be paired up with another piece or be worked into another look. For example, we need to be able to move from work to an evening dinner with only changing or adding one piece.

Many people believe that you have to spend a lot of money to look good. The truth is, yes and no. Where you would need to spend more money would be on good shoes, a nice bag, and a great winter coat and sweater, etc. In other areas of your wardrobe you can get away with spending a bit less, but they must be of good quality. If you have an arsenal of great pieces that are classic and of high quality, then you can mix-and-match them in different ways each day of the week for a new look. Toss in a feature piece to give yourself a distinctive, polished look: a beautiful silk print hijab, one of our Cotton Turban hats, or a bold shoe. That’s all you need for great style! It’s that simple. The important thing about selecting great staple pieces is that you don’t have to go back to the store every month and buy a whole new wardrobe because your trendy pieces are not trendy anymore and they didn’t last for more than 2 wears. It doesn’t seem like it, but buying cheap trendy pieces are more costly in the long run than spending a little bit more once in a while for a classic piece that will last.

When designing for SHUKR, not only am I thinking about you, I’m also thinking about the versitility of the collection: Are there staple pieces? Are there pieces for every occassion? Are there at least a few standout pieces? To have a well-balanced wardrobe and to be well dressed on a budget is to have a foundation of great “versatile” pieces mixed in with a few select standout pieces. So when you go to get dressed in the morning or before heading out on your next shopping trip, look in your closet and check to see if your clothes are versitile. Can some of your pieces go from day to evening? Could that skirt work for the next meeting as well as that wedding you have to attend next week? If not, you’ll need to take stock of what’s in your closet and do some reorganizing and a little bit of shopping.

Here are some versatile picks, and with just a few of your own pieces you can have a week’s worth of style. And remember: there is no need to sacrifice your personal style or downplay your color palette just because we are in a recession. If anything, these elements can serve as mood lifters to help you maintain a positive outlook, feel more confident, and be more effective throughout your day.

Men:

*Mojaddadi Kurta (above) (US, UK): A nice basic piece that can work with your own style. With the Mandarin collar, it will give any look, whether casual or semi-formal, a polished touch.

* Akbar Shirt (above) (US, UK): This can work as a dress shirt or casual shirt. It is equally as polished, due to the Mandarin collar.

* Winter London Jubba (above) (US, UK): A timeless classic coat that mixes well with any man’s personal style.

Women:

*Super Wide-Leg Rayon Trousers (above) (US, UK): Try this one in Mauve Shadows instead of basic Black to lift up any look. With its flowy drape and comfortable fit, it can be casual-chic or evening-elegant.

*Soft Linen Seanta Duster (above) (US, UK): It’s a top and jacket in one. Button it up and pair it with trousers or a skirt, or leave it open for a layered look over dresses, tops, and bottoms.

*Sina Blouse (above) (US, UK): Another great base for any look. This minimalist design has a slimming effect and a diginified appearance.

~ Tabassum, Head Designer

Every once in a while, there’s a garment that is just perfect; the Winter London Jubba (below) (US, UK) is one such item. If you’re a no-frills guy who wants one piece of outerwear, this is it. No matter whether you wear it over jeans and a t-shirt, a shirt and tie, or a galabiyya, you’re still going to look smart. How can you go wrong with a thin Italian wool blend that reaches the knee? In autumn, wear it over a shirt or galabiyya. In the depth of winter, layer yourself in a sweater or pullover underneath it. 

In terms of indoor clothing, the classic Hooded Moroccan Zaytuna Cloak (US, UK) is definitely one of our most popular items among young men. Event after event, year after year, men will come by and ask for it. The combination of hood and V-neck opening add breadth to the shoulders and chest: the look announces masculine dignity without immodesty. This winter, SHUKR has redone it as the Italian Wool Fez Cloak (below) (US, UK). Wear it plain for no-nonsense comfort. Keep it in the back seat of your car and slip it on before entering the masjid on Fridays. And for a bit more formality, wear a white galabiyya underneath; only the envious will dislike it.

~ Moustafa, Manager, Retail Division

After a long absence, SHUKR re-entered the convention scene with a bang this last summer and autumn. We attended the Islam Expo event in July (Olympia, London – England), ISNA’s annual convention on Labor Day weekend (Columbus, Ohio – USA) and the Global Peace and Unity convention in October (Excel, London – England). After taking out a spell to prioritize other aspects of the business, we felt it was high time to get back to the grassroots, meeting our customers face-to-face and appreciating the developments that Muslim communities have recently made. These big conventions become, in the short few days that they are held, a microcosm of the larger national Muslim picture. They are a great opportunity for networking, learning, socializing and buying! We want to say a big thank you to all our customers who passed by our stalls to buy something, browse the styles, or simply to give salams. It’s great to see you in person and hear your feedback.

(Above) Islam Expo: SHUKR’s Booth. We had a modest display at the event, focusing on introducing the SHUKR brand to new customers.

(Above) Islam Expo: SHUKR’s part at the Fashion Exposition, a section devoted to the clothing companies that took part in the inaugural Fashion Show held at Islam Expo. SHUKR showed a number of trendy outfits at the fashion show, accessorized by our Head Designer, Tabassum Siddique, who worked backstage.

(Above) ISNA: Hotel Room View. The conventions are hard work for the SHUKR employees that attend. After a few 16-hour days, it felt worse than the after-effects of Hajj, Moustafa Elqabbany, our Retail Manager commented. Sights like this sunrise provided some inspirational relief.

(Above) ISNA: Women’s Booth. We had a large shop floor style display at ISNA, with lots of styles, a dressing room, and a Powerpoint presentation about the company. This was the women’s booth; we also had a separate men’s booth.

(Above) ISNA: Special Offers. There were some great offers for customers who purchased at the booth.

(Above) Global Peace and Unity: Men’s Booth. The GPU event was our favorite booth display. We had both a large men’s and an even larger women’s booth.

(Above) Global Peace and Unity: Women’s Booth.

SHUKR will be making regular appearances at all major conventions, insha’ Allah. Our next stop is Le Bourget, the annual convention for French (and increasingly, other European) Muslims in Paris, France. Over 100,000 Muslims attend this event, far more than at ISNA in America or at the GPU or Islam Expo in England. Fancy some tasty French cuisine? See you there!

~ Anas, Managing Partner

The Long Modal Undershirt (US, UK), the latest variation of our undershirts, is a style essential everyone needs in her wardrobe. It may be the greatest wardrobe basic this writer has ever worn (aside from a great pair of jeans).

In the spring and summer, it allows you to wear the latest short sleeved and sleeveless tops while retaining your modesty. This shirt, and its sister shirt, the Modal Undershirt (US, UK), were made with Muslimahs in mind. The super-light modal fabric, made from reconstituted cellulose of birch trees, keeps your arms covered while keeping you cool.  Every muhajabah sister knows what it’s like to layer in the summer — most long-sleeved tops sold in regular stores are meant to be worn in the fall and winter when it’s cooler outside.  The long length means extra coverage when the top layer isn’t long enough for your comfort.

Until now, we’ve had to make do with what we could find, which meant sweating like crazy in the summer with our medium-thick weight cotton tops.  But our Long Modal Undershirt (US, UK) means you can wear those short sleeved summer tops as well as this extra layer without baking in the summer sun — which makes this shirt different than anything you’ve seen in the department stores. The shirt is so light, it can be worn with this year’s best style trend for Muslimahs, the maxi dress, without adding the bulk that most long sleeved knit tops would. This writer wore it almost non-stop this past summer.

And in the winter? Well, our Long Modal Undershirt (US, UK) is truly a year-round top. Its light weight means you can layer it with a number of pieces in the winter, keeping your body heat close, while avoiding the bulky, super-sweaty feel that accompanies a lot of winter looks. The key to winter layering is to retain your body heat while wearing pieces that allow you to remain fully covered when the temperature rises. Imagine the Long Modal Undershirt (US, UK), under a medium-weight cardigan or sleeveless sweater vest, worn with jeans, trousers, or a skirt.

On top of that, modal fabric doesn’t pill and is shrink-resistant, ensuring that any of our modal tops will look great for years to come. When everyone at the SHUKR office first got our hands on the modal tops, we were amazed at how soft, smooth and light it was. At the same time, the fabric is still opaque, so you can wear it without worrying that your skin is visible.

(And you know what? For those who are looking for something a little thicker, we’ve still got our regular Cotton Undershirt (US, UK) in stock in limited quantities.  Although they might be a little heavy for the summer, they’re great basic pieces for spring, autumn, and winter.)

SHUKR’s Modal Undershirt (US, UK) means all season layering.  Modesty, comfort, functionality — what doesn’t this shirt have?

“And if you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them.”

(Surah Ibrahim, 14:34)

Sayida A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked to recount one of the most amazing experiences she had in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace). She began to weep, and said, “Was there anything at all about him that was not a marvelous wonder? He came to me one night, and snuggled up beside me in my bed until his skin was touching my skin. But then he said: ‘O daughter of Abu Bakr, let me go, so that I may devote myself to the worship of my Lord.’”

She said, “So I told him, ‘I love your nearness, but I prefer to respect your dearest wish.’ I therefore allowed him (Allah bless him and give him peace) to take his leave of me. So he got up, found a skin container full of water, and performed his ritual ablution, pouring a considerable amount of water in the process. Then he stood erect, and started to perform the ritual prayer. He wept as he did so, until his tears were streaming down onto his chest. He made raka’at (bowing) and shed more tears. Then he prostrated himself, and again he wept. Then he raised his head, and wept still more. He went on like this (Allah bless him and give him peace) until Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived on the scene.”

“I then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what causes you to weep, when Allah has forgiven you your earlier and later sins?’ To this he replied, (Allah bless him and give him peace) :

‘Should I not be a thankful servant ['abd shakur]? Why should I not do it, since Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) has sent down to me the words of revelation:

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ship that runs upon the sea with that which is of use to human beings, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and the distribution of the winds, and the clouds set in orderly array between heaven and earth–surely there are signs for people who can understand. (Surah al Baqara, 2:164) ‘”

As-salaamu alaykum!

We’d like to welcome you to the official blog for SHUKR Islamic Clothing.

Interest in finding new ways to synthesize the Islamic dress code with Western culture, including current fashion trends and styles, is on the rise.  Over the past two years, a number of stories on Islamic fashion have hit the pages of mainstream magazines and newspapers.  A revolution of sorts is taking place among modestly dressing women, especially Muslim women.

SHUKR Islamic Clothing was the first Islamic clothing company to look at the culture and context of Muslims in the West when it came to designing and producing Islamic clothing.  From the beginning, we’ve tried to help Western Muslims find ways to bring together their requirements for modest dressing with their very natural desire to not look foreign or old fashioned in the Western cultures in which they were born and raised or now find themselves living.  It is our life experiences as Muslims, born and raised in the West, with multi-ethnic families, that gives us the insight we need to choose current trends and make them appropriate for Muslims to wear comfortably.

The evolution of web 2.0 has changed the way that we not only communicate with one another as friends and family, but the way we communicate with one another as businesses and customers. We have entered the Age of Conversation. Customers expect to be able to communicate easily with businesses and retailers, and have their needs met. Customers share their thoughts and experiences with thousands across the globe on forums, blogs, and e-mail groups with one click of a button.

As a retailer, SHUKR has long taken the position that great customer service is essential to our mission — serving God by providing Muslims with clothing with which they can move through society.  Being put on hold while muzak is playing is no longer acceptable to customers. As part of our mission to continue to provide top notch customer service, SHUKR launched our new Customer Support site earlier this year.  The site includes our Knowledge Base, where you can get answers to your questions right away, allowing you to purchase with ease.  We also looked at customer service models of the largest e-tailers, and implemented a ticketing system to deal with customer queries and issues. Tickets allow both our customer care specialists and the customer to track each communication and refer to a record of every question asked and every answer received.

This blog is another facet of our customer service.  It allows us to tell you more of the SHUKR story than our website allows, but it also allows you, our customers, to communicate with us. We hope to provide you with insights into how our company works, from the design process to the shipping process, as well as our own thoughts on the rapidly developing field of Islamic fashion. We plan to look at how you can bring SHUKR style into your everyday life, from the office to the classroom to the park to the mosque.  We also plan to share new developments and ongoing projects that we’ll be working on.

We look forward to speaking with you.