Simple, modest outfits for Friday prayers

Cuts that move with you

• Room through the hips and seat: a straight or A-line kameez with a little extra ease, so it does not pull when you bow or sit.
• Comfortable trousers: a shalwar, wide straight trousers or palazzos give room to kneel and sit on the floor, where slim cigarette pants can feel restrictive. See trouser fit.
• Kameez length and slits: many women like a knee or calf-length kameez, with side slits that are not too high so it stays tidy when sitting. See side slits and hemlines.
• Trouser length: trousers cut to your shoe height can drag once your shoes are off, so tell us which you want them measured for.
• Waistband: elastic or a drawstring stays comfortable when you sit on the floor, where a fitted waistband can dig in.
• Opaque fabric: fine lawn in pale shades can be see-through in bright light; a lining, or a slightly heavier fabric such as cambric, solves it. See does my kameez need lining.

Sleeves, necklines and dupattas

Sleeves that push up easily make wudu simpler: three-quarter sleeves, or full sleeves with a cuff that unbuttons or a short slit at the wrist. Fitted full sleeves with no opening are the hardest to roll.

A higher round neck or band collar sits neatly under a hijab or dupatta. For the dupatta itself, soft cotton or lawn stays in place better than slippery chiffon, and a larger size gives more coverage if you like to wrap it. Our guide to modest dressing goes into necklines and sleeve lengths in more detail, and dupatta sizes and styles covers widths and lengths.

Small details that help

• Pockets: for keys and a phone when your bag is out of reach. See adding pockets to kurtas.
• Easy-care fabrics: cotton, cambric and dobby that come out of the wash ready to wear on a busy Friday.
• Plain colours and small prints: calm and simple, and easy to wear to work before and after.
• Layers that come off easily: a long cardigan or an open-front coat is simpler to manage than a fitted jacket with many buttons.

A Friday capsule

Some women keep a loose, lightweight kameez or a large dupatta in their bag or at work, ready to put on over what they are wearing. A long dupatta in soft cotton packs small and is easy to carry through the day.

Two or three simple kurtas and trousers in easy-care fabric, set aside for Fridays, take the thinking out of the morning. If you already own suits that are nearly right, a local tailor can often shorten sleeves, add a cuff or slit, or add a lining to a sheer kameez.

For new pieces, send your fabric details through the stitching quote form and tell us what matters to you: extra ease, sleeve style, length or lining. Our everyday page has more ideas for simple outfits you will wear every week.