In the bosom of the family…and my choices have a thousand explanations

Friday for us is always a ‘family gathering.’” The hall is spacious, the scent of perfume and makeup fills the air, and the laughter is loud…
Everyone enters, taking into account their appearance… Some girls wear wide chiffon dresses in cheerful colors, while others choose long sets and artfully draped satin scarves.
I was wearing my favorite navy blue abaya and my white khimar, which I’ve been comfortable in since day one.

As I entered, I felt all eyes on me.
My cousin came over, laughed, and said:
— “Why don’t you do the same? This dress is comfortable and wide, and it looks great on you, I swear!”

I laughed shyly:
— “It’s really nice… I also love dresses, but I’m more comfortable in an abaya. What’s important is that a girl feels comfortable in what she’s wearing.”

I heard a whisper from another direction:
— “Everyone has their own choices… Some like sets, and some just see dresses as a luxury.” The most elegant, and some even prefer the abaya.

My aunt ended the conversation and said affectionately:
— “The most important thing is to wear what makes you comfortable and makes you feel like you’re yourself… By God, we have beautiful, long dresses here, and there are a thousand shapes and styles of Islamic dress!”

Throughout the party, I was bombarded with questions from every direction:

My cousin tried on a new Oswa model, a loose dress without any eye-catching detail…
— “Do you see this? It’s very chic and suits all tastes, if you want to change the atmosphere.”

I smiled, my heart lightening:
“It’s really beautiful… I might try it on another occasion.”

But there were still some lingering glances…
One of them said, jokingly:
— “It’s too good for your beauty! Open up a bit… It’s a holiday, you have to shine!”

I replied calmly:
— “Everyone shines in their own way. Some see colors as boldness, and others see modesty as their only option. “Boldness.”

In the midst of the chaos, a little girl kept staring at me.
As I was walking toward the end of the day, she caught up with me and said:
— “I want to dress like you when I grow up…
But I also love the dress my mom bought me from Aswa; it looks very modest.”

I laughed, my heart warming:
“As long as each girl is comfortable and satisfied… then that is truly the meaning of Islamic dress.”

I left the party satisfied, feeling that all girls have a place in the scene—
the one wearing an abaya, a loose Islamic dress, or a distinctive set…
We all complement each other, and each one has a story and personality within the outfit she chose.

Have you ever been in a situation at an event or gathering where you felt your choices were “strange” among the crowd?
Have you tried wearing a modest Aswa dress or even an abaya and heard an unkind comment or word of support?
Tell us about your experience or share a photo of the style that made you feel comfortable and confident…
Maybe Your story gives hope or a new idea to a girl searching for herself in a crowd.