Approaches to the wardrobe challenges of Muslim women in the west

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the challenges of Muslim women in terms of their dress code in Western society by including their clothing needs in the strategies of the fashion industry and marketing. The study focuses on wardrobe choices that have helped overcome these challenges and facilitated Muslim women’s integration into western society.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics were used in this study through a questionnaire that was distributed among 265 randomly selected Muslim women in London, UK. The results have been presented in charts showing the percentages and frequencies of the different behaviors and challenges that were faced by Muslim women in the west.

Findings

The majority of the study sample preferred to use a variety of modern fashion trends from global brands to integrate with the community. The essential criteria for the Muslim women’s clothing choices include head hair cover and conservative full-length clothes that are non-transparent that cover the neck and chest area.

Originality/value

A study has investigated the clothing needs and behaviors of Muslim women in the west for their community integration. It analyzed the results and linked them with the role and contributions of designers, producers and fashion marketers in accepting the western society of Muslims and their integration with its members.

Citation

Shafee, W.H. (2020), "Approaches to the wardrobe challenges of Muslim women in the west", Journal of Islamic Marketing, Vol. 11 No. 5, pp. 1155-1173. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-10-2018-0199