This is a real struggle for a lot of women.
Staying modest in the summer takes more than just style. It takes planning, awareness, and the right fabrics, especially when modest options in the heat feel limited or overwhelming.
You're standing at your closet. It’s 32 degrees outside.
Every long sleeve looks too heavy. Every scarf feels like it’ll stick.
You want to stay covered, but you don’t want to feel like you’re suffering.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
– What fabrics to wear (and avoid)
– How to layer without feeling weighed down
– Hijab materials that actually breathe
– Simple outfit tips for hot days
– Abayas that work in high heat
Let’s make summer feel manageable, without compromising comfort or conviction.
Why Summer Makes Modest Dressing Harder (And What You Can Do About It)
The idea of modest dressing seems straightforward. Until the temperature hits 30°C.
Suddenly, your go-to pieces feel heavy. Layering starts to feel impossible. Even picking a hijab becomes a trade-off between coverage and comfort. It’s not just about style anymore. It’s about managing heat, sweat, and self-consciousness while staying true to your values.
For many women, summer brings quiet frustration. Not because modesty is difficult, but because most clothes simply aren’t made with us in mind.
Tight sleeves, thick linings, synthetic materials, and poorly cut pieces make dressing with intention feel like a struggle.
But there are ways to dress modestly and still feel good in the heat. It starts with planning, awareness, and learning what works for your body and your lifestyle.
The goal isn’t to look perfect. The goal is to stay comfortable, confident, and covered in a way that reflects who you are.
This guide is here to help with exactly that.
Choose the Right Fabrics (What to Wear and What to Skip)
In the summer, fabric choice often makes the biggest difference. It can determine whether your outfit feels breathable and light, or heavy and uncomfortable all day long.
Let’s start with what to avoid first. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, rayon, and tight blends tend to trap heat and cling to the skin. They may look sleek in photos, but in real life they often feel restrictive and suffocating — especially in direct sunlight.
To stay cool and comfortable, the best option is natural, breathable fabrics.
Linen is one of the most dependable choices for hot weather. It’s structured without being heavy, and it allows air to pass through freely so your body can breathe. At Norah, we use lightweight linen in several of our abayas for this exact reason. It provides full coverage without adding unnecessary weight. The embroidered linen abaya and linen keffiyeh sets are ideal for everyday wear when the heat starts to rise.
Chiffon is another useful option, but it depends on how you layer it. Chiffon is light, elegant, and flows beautifully, but it’s often slightly sheer. That’s why we pair it in coordinated sets with inner dresses that feel soft and breathable. The three-piece chiffon set and the floral chiffon abaya offer a comfortable solution without compromising the look.
Cotton and modal are great for everyday basics. While you’ll mostly find them in innerwear, long sleeve tops, or hijabs, their softness and breathability make them essentials in any modest summer wardrobe.
When choosing what to wear in the heat, don’t focus only on how it looks in a photo. Think about how it feels layered. How it handles sweat, movement, and time in the sun. Those details matter more than any trend or price tag.
Hijab Tips That Actually Work in the Heat
Wearing a hijab in the summer comes with its own set of challenges. The heat builds up faster, fabrics cling to the skin, and what usually feels secure can start slipping by midday.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe to stay cool. A few small changes in fabric and styling can make a big difference.
Choose lightweight fabrics.
Modal, bamboo blends, and soft jersey are breathable and gentle on the skin. They absorb sweat better than chiffon or synthetic scarves and tend to stay in place more easily. If you still love the elegance of chiffon, pieces like our three-piece chiffon abaya work well for evenings or cooler settings when comfort is easier to manage.
Trim down the layers.
If you're comfortable doing so, try wearing only the cotton headband part of your underscarf. This gives grip and structure without trapping heat at the back of your neck. It's a small adjustment that can make a big difference.
Loosen your wrap.
Tighter hijab styles may look neat, but looser wraps allow for better airflow. A soft pin under the chin or at the sides is often all you need. Letting the fabric fall naturally can keep things cooler and still look graceful.
Use texture to your advantage.
Some hijabs look beautiful in photos but become difficult to manage in real life. If you find yourself constantly adjusting your scarf, it might be time to switch to a fabric with more texture, like cotton blends or matte-finish jersey. These tend to stay put and feel more secure throughout the day.
The best summer hijab tip? Focus on how it feels before how it looks. Comfort builds confidence.
How to Layer Without Overheating
Layering is a core part of modest dressing. But in the summer, it can feel like too much. The extra fabric adds weight, and what usually feels elegant can quickly turn into discomfort that lasts all day.
The solution isn’t to avoid layering altogether. It’s to do it with intention, using the right fabrics and combinations that let your body breathe.
Start with your base. Sleeveless or short-sleeve inner dresses made of cotton or modal give you the coverage you need without trapping heat. These are perfect under open abayas or chiffon sets where airflow is essential to staying cool.
Open abayas make summer layering easier. They offer coverage without fully wrapping your body, which allows for better ventilation and movement. Pieces like our linen keffiyeh abaya set are designed for exactly this — loose, breathable, and wearable through the hottest parts of the day.
Avoid layering just for the sake of modesty. A thoughtfully chosen abaya or kimono-style piece can often do the work of multiple layers, giving you a clean silhouette without added bulk. The more air your outfit allows to circulate, the less likely you are to feel weighed down.
You can also plan your layers based on the time of day. In the early morning or evening, a structured linen abaya might feel fine on its own. During midday, stick to light inner layers with one loose outer piece. That small change makes a big difference.
Smart layering isn’t about covering more. It’s about choosing each piece with care so you stay cool, confident, and comfortable — even when the heat peaks.
Simple Modest Outfit Ideas That Work in Summer
ou don’t need a huge wardrobe to dress modestly and comfortably in the summer. A few versatile pieces, styled thoughtfully, can carry you through even the hottest days.
Here are some outfit ideas that balance modesty, breathability, and ease — no extra layering or complicated hacks required.
1. The Open Abaya Look
Pair a sleeveless cotton or modal slip dress with an open linen abaya. This combination keeps your arms and legs covered, but allows air to flow through the sides. Our linen keffiyeh sets were designed with this exact scenario in mind — light, easy to move in, and perfect for everyday wear.
2. The Chiffon Set for Evenings or Events
For cooler evenings or modest gatherings, a chiffon abaya set works beautifully. Because chiffon can be slightly sheer, go with one that includes a matching slip or underdress. Our three-piece chiffon abaya takes care of the layering for you — so you stay cool without giving up structure.
3. Long Maxi Skirt + Lightweight Top
A wide, flowing satin or cotton skirt with a lightweight, breathable blouse or cropped cardigan gives full coverage without trapping heat. Choose light colors that reflect sunlight and allow you to feel fresh throughout the day.
4. Soft Wide-Leg Pants + Drape Blouse
For a modern look, go for wide-leg linen or crepe pants with a loose blouse tucked in or draped. Add a textured hijab in modal or cotton and you’ve got an outfit that’s modest, cool, and still put-together.
5. Hijab + Lightweight Outer Layer
On especially hot days, skip the heavy layering and wear a basic longline cotton top or tunic with a lightweight outer layer like a kimono or vest. This breaks up heat without compromising your silhouette.
Every outfit here can be adapted to your style, your climate, and your comfort level. You don’t need dozens of new items. You need a few good pieces that actually work when the heat is real.
It’s Not About Perfect, It’s About Practical
When the heat is overwhelming, it’s easy to feel like you're not doing enough. That your outfit isn’t modest enough. That you're not put-together enough. That somehow, you're falling short.
But modesty was never meant to be a performance. It's not about the most polished look, or following every trend. It’s about showing up with intention, even when it's uncomfortable, even when you’re figuring it out as you go.
Some days you’ll get it right. Other days, you’ll feel like your scarf keeps slipping, your clothes feel too hot, and nothing quite works. That’s okay.
Practical modesty means doing the best you can with what you have. It means dressing in a way that respects your values, your body, and your environment. And sometimes, it just means choosing the outfit that lets you feel like yourself, even when the weather doesn’t make it easy.
Modesty doesn’t mean discomfort. It means choosing clothing that reflects who you are, even when the weather doesn’t make it easy.
Give yourself permission to adjust, simplify, and experiment. You’re not less modest because you’re trying to stay cool. You’re human. And that’s enough.
Explore Lightweight Abayas That Fit the Season
If you've been struggling to stay modest and comfortable in the summer heat, you're not alone. It takes time to figure out what works — the fabrics, the fits, the layers. But when you do, everything feels lighter.
That’s why we focus on pieces made with breathability and ease in mind.
Our linen abayas are built for daytime wear — structured, light, and intentionally loose.
Our chiffon abaya sets are better for evenings, events, or whenever you want something graceful but airy.
Every abaya we create is made to help you show up with confidence — no matter the weather.
