Bahath in collaboration with Muslim menswear page @themuslimmale talks about the problem with contemporary Muslim menswear and provides some simple solutions…
With the Muslim world being as diverse as it is, Muslim men have access to a plethora of options, from the tailored Baju Melayu of Malaysia to the looser djellabas of Morocco. Add in the massive Muslim presence in Western countries, and the availability of traditional and modern menswear becomes dizzying.
Despite this diversity and accessibility, Muslim menswear brands often fall into similar design pitfalls, and many Muslim menswear influencers seem shy to break cultural norms and let traditional garments pop in more modern contexts.
Below we’ve highlighted key issues and solutions for the Muslim menswear space and we hope this provides productive feedback for Muslim brands and influencers alike.
Images have been taken from generic designs on drop shipping websites or wholesale retailers so that the focus can be on addressing issues, rather than criticising individual brands or designers. We hold our brothers and sisters in high regard and intend this article to be inquisitive rather than a personal target.
Garment Quality
Quality is a concern at the forefront of great fashion initiatives, whether for items as simple as t-shirts or as decorative as suits or embroidered traditional overcoats.
When it comes to Muslim menswear, it appears that garment quality seems to be lacking, specifically within the realm of traditional garments sold by brands based in Muslim countries and imported by small businesses into Western countries.
For the sake of profit materials are often compromised (for thobes and kurtas especially) and additives like polyester are commonplace, leading to a sheen resembling plastic and often being uncomfortable to the wearer. Throw in other annoyances like made-to-measure pieces being several inches off, the presence of cheap button and collar details and the low quality of seam stitching, and the average Muslim male is left to feel like they have purchased a subpar imitation of the traditional pieces they treasure, rather than a quality piece of ethnic handicraft.
To adequately address this issue, Muslim vendors of traditional garments should prioritise garment quality over offerings of diverse but cheaply made products, source fabrics in classic materials like pure cotton and linen and ensure that any made-to-measure services are tried and tested before being made available to the market. Classical Muslim menswear always had a penchant for being made of higher quality materials and that tradition should be carried forth to serve modern buyers and spread the beauty of Islamic handicraft.
Design Originality
Where traditional Muslim clothing options today have issues concerning garment quality, Western-inspired offerings inspired by streetwear and athleisure often lack design originality.
During the initial burst of Muslim-Western menswear designs in the 2010s, designers often put ironic spins on graphic designs by brands like Nike and Supreme and featured Arabic slogans and calligraphy with words like “salaam” and “sabr” as well as stylised versions of the flags and names of Muslim countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Afghanistan and more.
While initially innovative, such trends are now present in every modern Muslim-Western menswear brand to the extent that it’s difficult to tell pieces from different brands apart. How many brands offer a dad cap with the word “hub” (love) scrawled across the front? And how many more have bland hoodie and tee offerings with nothing more than a country name or a feigned ironic application of phrases like “alhamdulillah”?
Streetwear in particular has always prided itself on innovation and unexpected combinations; recycling the same graphic design ideas endlessly neglects the very essence of the Western-inspired clothing being designed.
Branching out towards other popular aesthetics such the grunge, hippie and prep movements would bring much diversity to Muslim streetwear designs and allow Muslims influenced by those movements to synthesise elements of their wardrobe with their Muslim background.
Another great twist would be to incorporate designs with “lesser-known” scripts and patterns from regions like East Africa, the Caucus and Southeast Asia. Inclusivity in design engenders innovation and sharing and would give Muslim men everywhere a breath of fresh aesthetic.
Cultural Norms
Muslim cultures are beautiful and diverse, each with their own distinct dress and etiquette norms which have for centuries preserved their unique nature, as well as their sense of national and ethnic pride amongst Muslims from China to Bahrain to Turkey and more.
While traditions are to be understood and respected, they can sometimes be stifling, and this effect can be seen in the way Muslim male influencers and their followers choose to dress for popular Muslim functions like Eid and wedding ceremonies.
For example, Muslim men from Pakistan will wear strictly Pakistani garments, with each ensemble following formal customs, such as preserving embroidery and mirrored elements for formal occasions. Similarly, Gulf Arab men will prefer to break out short-sleeved thobes for only the most casual of occasions, often wearing them as loungewear.
Many of these norms arose out of practicality and offer easy-to-follow guidelines for even the most novice of Muslim fashion enthusiasts, but the lack of imagination with regards to incorporating high-low combinations, or mixing pieces from different regions or countries, strips Muslim men of much outfit potential. The Muslim world contains within it arguably the widest variety of cultural dress, and Muslim men should see this as a great opportunity for exploration and cultural connection.
One may start by pairing pieces of varying formality within one’s own culture (i.e. all Malaysian pieces but with some featuring embroidery and others being of plain cotton) and then gradually mixing in American or European-inspired pieces for a modern multicultural vibe, or add pieces from other Muslim regions for visually-rich silhouettes.
The easiest pairings will have similar proportions (i.e. all slim or all relaxed pieces) and similar color palettes (i.e. pairing a khaki-colored kurta with lighter denim and sneakers which feature khaki in the colorway), but being daring often pays off.
As always, it is important to remember to be respectful when combining elements from different cultures by learning about the origins of each garment and wearing them with pride rather than humor.
Conclusion
The world of Muslim menswear is ever-evolving in both design and accessibility.
If Muslim menswear brands wish to distinguish themselves from the competition, they should focus on both garment quality and design originality, while Muslim menswear influencers and enthusiasts should not be afraid to mix high-low and multicultural elements and truly enjoy the wide array of options available.
As we push forward into new eras in Muslim menswear, we can all contribute by providing and embodying quality, and in doing so, continue to spread a beautiful element of Islamic culture.
Follow @themuslimmale on Instagram for all the latest Muslim male fashion inspiration.
What are your thoughts on Muslim menswear? Let us know in the comments below.
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