What Modesty Means To Me - A Revert's Journey

Some Things Have Shifted for Me

These last few months have stretched me in ways I never expected. I’ve stepped into territory that felt uncomfortable, rocky, rewarding, and deeply transformative. If you had asked me last year whether I’d be running a modest, donation‑based boutique, I would’ve laughed and said, “I have no idea how I’d even start that — but maybe Allah will show me the path.”

And He did. He showed me this path and tested me through it.

When Hijabae branched off and began its journey in Edmonton, I had no idea how much I would grow. I’ve had to push myself outside my comfort zone again and again — building my own website, learning social media, showing up online, and running a business out of a one‑bedroom apartment. Every step felt new. Every post came with anxiety. Every decision felt bigger than me. But each time, I placed my trust in Allah and kept moving.

And subhanAllah… the generosity I’ve witnessed has been overwhelming. Sisters donating their clothing, sharing their stories, and supporting this little dream of mine. Beautiful pieces coming through my door. Beautiful conversations in my DMs. Beautiful reminders of why I started this.

Why This Journey Matters to Me

As a revert of six years, my modesty journey has been slow, intentional, and deeply personal. I didn’t have abayas or long dresses sitting in my closet waiting for me. I didn’t grow up around modest fashion. I had to learn, adapt, and discover what modesty felt like on my own skin.

I still remember when a family member gifted me hijabs before I was even Muslim. At the time, it felt strange — but looking back, it was one of the first signs Allah placed in my path.

Then came the at‑home abayas my mother‑in‑law gave me for winter. At first, I dismissed them. But the day I finally tried one on… everything changed. The warmth, the comfort, the ease — it felt like stepping into a new version of myself. A version that felt protected, confident, and quietly powerful.

That feeling stayed with me. It still does.

Modest clothing, to me, feels like leveling up in a video game. Every step comes with challenges, but when you overcome them, you unlock a new sense of empowerment. A new layer of confidence. A new understanding of yourself.

The Struggle to Find Affordable Modest Clothing

But here’s the truth many of us know too well:

Affordable modest clothing is hard to find.

You either get:

Imported pieces with heavy markups

Mainstream clothing with immodest cuts

Thrift stores that overprice the few modest items they have

Or you rely on hand‑me‑downs — if you’re lucky enough to have that option.

For so many women, it becomes a choice between upgrading their wardrobe or staying within their financial limits. And that tension — that “rock and a hard place” — is exactly what pushed me to pivot.

Why Hijabae Exists

Hijabae was born from that struggle.

From the desire to make modest clothing:

Accessible

Affordable

Beautiful

Sustainable

Community‑powered

Every piece that comes through Hijabae is donated by real women in our community. Every item is cleaned, steamed, curated, and given a second life. Every drop is a reminder that modest fashion doesn’t have to be expensive or out of reach.

And every time I see a sister find a piece that makes her feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable — I’m reminded that this journey is bigger than me.

It’s about us. Our community. Our modesty journeys. Our growth. Our stories.

And I’m so grateful to be a small part of yours.