There are rituals we perform when getting dressed that can feel almost sacred—quiet, repeated gestures that mirror the structure and intention of religious practice. It’s a prelude, a private ceremony before the public one.
In Islam, the relationship between adornment and devotion is explicit. On Eid—marking the end of Ramadan’s 30 days of fasting—Muslims draw from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, who encouraged wearing one’s best clothes for the occasion. This was not simply a matter of appearance, but about embodying a state of purity, gratitude, and dignity. Here, cleanliness and beauty are not superficial, but outward signs of the internal transformation that has taken place over the last month.
Dressing for Eid last year, I directly referenced the spiritual vocabulary of Islam. I wore a maroon abaya with a pomegranate motif—a fruit revered in the Qur’an as a symbol of abundance and nearness to Jannah—with a matching hijab. (For a bit of contrast, on my feet I wore Maison Margiela Tabi boots.) My clothing felt more than merely customary; the fabric, the color, and the symbolism connected me even more deeply to the meaning of the day.
That sentiment was shared by four stylish Muslims I spoke to this week. For all of them, dressing up for Eid was not an act of vanity, but a form of recognition, joy, acknowledgment, and fulfillment. Here, those four people share their fashion philosophies and dressing traditions around Eid.
Noor Elkhaldi
Edited in Tezza with: CocoaPhoto: Courtesy of Noor Elkhaldi
I have a really big immediate family, so any time my entire family is able to be together on Eid is my favorite. It’s Sunnah to wear your best clothes on Eid, so I just try to wear something that reflects that. I also make sure I’m freshly showered and smell nice.
This year, I’m wearing a long dress in a rich brown shade by Khanum’s, with a draped overlay detail that falls across the chest and cascades down one arm, a black crinkle chiffon hijab from Vela Scarves, and a sage green Prada Cleo shoulder bag (that I “borrowed” from my sister). Also, I’m wearing my favorite platforms by Coperni that probably won’t show at all, but I need the extra height, and they’re really comfortable for six-inch heels.
Abayas have obviously always been around, but they’ve really been having a moment for the last few years, and I honestly love to see it. My favorite look that I’ve worn, however, was in 2022, when I wore a Palestinian thobe that my sister bought for me from Gaza, where my family is from. It felt really special to wear a piece from my homeland.