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"Prepping for a Chic Idul Fitri"
Sylviana Hamdani, August 22, 2010, Jakarta Globe
Muslims around the world are looking forward to Idul Fitri, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month. On top of being a joyous family celebration, the day has a bit of an extra meaning to many women throughout Indonesia. It’s one of the few days a year they get to wear their finest Muslim fashions.
Indonesian a ctress Shireen Sungkar can’t wait for Idul Fitri. The 18-year-old has already meticulously planned her outfits for the day.
“On the morning of Idul Fitri, my family and I usually dress all in white and go to a mosque near our house for sholat (prayer),” Shireen said. “After the prayer, we go back home to change before going to visit relatives.”
Young model and singer Iloet Fairus has also prepared a traditional white tunic for morning prayer, but will take a different fashion approach when it comes time to visit relatives.
“Usually we don’t go and change clothes after sholat,” she said. “My mom and I bring different colored headscarves and some accessories in the car to brighten up our looks. It saves us a lot of time and gives us more time to spend with relatives.”
Whether you choose to change clothes or just brighten up your morning prayer outfit with accessories and colored headscarves is really up to you, but if you want to look your best while visiting relatives you will probably want to do a little pre-planning for the big day.
Khairiyyah Sari, executive editor of fashion and beauty for Femina magazine, has a few ideas about looking your best on Idul Fitri. For starters, she agrees with Iloet’s headscarf strategy.
“A touch of color will totally change your look,” she said.
A colorful jilbab over your white dress that matches with your handbag and accessories can really complete the outfit, she said.
“Just don’t wear too much jewelry,” Khairiyyah said. “That’s a bit much.”
Instead, she suggested wearing either small earrings, a matching pendant and bracelet combination or one large accessory piece that ties together the whole look.
Besides choosing the right headscarf and accessories, it is also important to choose a clothing style that is comfortable and best suits your specific body type.
“Muslim clothing requires us to cover our bodies from head to toe, so it should be light and comfortable to wear,” Iloet said.
“If it’s not comfortable, it could ruin the whole day,” Shireen agreed. The family visits usually start just after sholat in the morning and last throughout the day until late in the evening. Clothes that are too heavy or uncomfortable could stifle the joy of the day.
Cotton is a favorite material in Jakarta’s hot climate. Linen is a bit costly, but it is also comfortable to wear for the entire day.
“Organdy might have the lustrous shine that makes you look elegant, but it can get hot and uncomfortable after a few hours,” Khairiyyah said. If you do go with organdy, make sure it has a cotton lining for comfort, she warned.
Recently, the women’s clothing company Vidiaelok Lestari Garmindo launched two new Muslim clothing lines named Exit and Expand.
Targeting teens and women under the age of 30, the Exit collection features loose cotton tunics with floral patterns and plaids in cool pastel colors like baby blue and soft pink. The tunics in the collection were specifically designed to flatter the body without being too tight or revealing.
The Expand collection, on the other hand, was designed with more mature women in mind. It features sheer organdy, boldly-colored tunics in crimson and dark brown with delicate embroidery work.
“Dark colors help conceal body contours,” Khairiyyah said. “Light colors, on the other hand, can brighten up the complexion.”
On top of choosing the right color, women should pick a style that works for their body shape.
Tunics work for most women, but plus-sized women should avoid wearing large motifs because they tend to make them look larger. Opt instead for light patterns or embroideries.
“No accessories are necessary for tunics with bold patterns or embroidery work at the front,” Khairiyyah added.
Like tunics, abayas are another type of long, robe-like overgarment. They are suitable for most women, but it’s best to highlight a monotone abaya with a large belt. A thin black belt works best with patterned abaya.
Caftans are also a popular option for Idul Fitri. The conventional straight cut of these flowing, ankle-length dresses can enhance the silhouettes of tall and slender bodies, but they are trickier to wear for those with shorter body types.
“If you’re a little bigger or shorter, you can still wear caftans,” Khairiyyah said. “Just either choose a shorter style that only reaches down to your thighs, or a long one with discreet patterns.”
Finally, the jilbab is the last detail. It can make or break a look so it’s important to choose carefully.
“The monotone look is so boring,” Khairiyyah said. “Put on a headscarf that is slightly darker or lighter in color than your clothes to accentuate your appearance.”
Jilbabs can be embellished with a neat corsage, brooch or a headband with varying motifs and colors.
“Don’t be afraid to experiment,” Khairiyyah said. “Try a different look, ask for your friends’ opinions. You’ll discover your own unique style before long.”
With two more weeks to go before Idul Fitri, there is surely enough time to experiment and develop a chic style with a personal touch for the big day.