Glossary of Islamic Clothing Styles

In a recent email, a reader asked about the different terms used to describe modest Islamic clothing. She was trying to order clothing from an online retailer, and was confused by the names used. How is an abaya different from a jilbab, or a khimar different from a hijab? If you want to buy a face veil, should you ask for a niqab or a burqa?

Muslims generally observe modest dress, but the variety of styles and colors have different names depending on the country and language. Consult this glossary of the most common names of Islamic clothing for both men and women, along with photos and descriptions.