Welcome to the wonderful world of cheap and cheerful online shopping! In part two of a three-part series, we present our picks of Malaysian web boutiques. On your marks, get set, clickety-click!
By Sofea Famian and Cynthia Prayudi.
Ammara Hijab
The two hijabista founders of Ammara want their online space to be where devotees of both fashion and faith can find solace. You will find mostly solid color, lightweight cotton scarves, jumpsuits, wide-legged pants and long dresses. International shipping available.
What We Love: Stylish modest wear
How Much: RM40–RM300
Pay By: Bank transfer, PayPal, Western Union
ammarahijabi.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/ammarahijabi
Choraque
This is a fun little place where edgy to sweety-pie separates and accessories, including some pretty funky scarves, come together to make a young (or youthful!) hijabista’s wardrobe all the more groovy. International shipping available.
What We Love: Solid Plain Hijab
How Much: RM20–RM100
Pay By: Bank transfer, Western Union
www.choraque.blogspot.com
Clubmod
For all sorts of carriers—satchels, messengers, backpacks, chain-strap purses, retro sling bags, totes, document bags and more—look no further than this cheap and cheerful online store! International shipping available.
What We Love: Cute satchels
How Much: RM10–RM120
Pay By: Bank transfer
www.thisisclubmod.com
www.facebook.com/ClubMod
Clubmodmoon Abaya Middle Eastern Clothing
For long-sleeved tops and long dresses, this is it. The ethnic, colorful long jubahs, abayas, kaftans and jalabiyas are reasonably priced. A sheer chiffon top with heavy sequin and embroidery work costs around RM100 (US$34). They claim to sell a maximum of three pieces per design. International shipping available.
What We Love: Abayas
How Much: From RM90
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal
www.moonabaya.com
www.facebook.com/moonabaya
Middle Eastern Clothing
Abaya Long-sleeved long dress Jalabiya Traditional Arabic garment is worn by men and women with a wide cut, long sleeves, open collar and made from light materials like cotton, chiffon or silk
– Jubah Loose-fitting robe-like outer garment, sometimes hooded
– Kaftan A Moroccan piece with wide sleeves that, today, can be either in the form of a long dress or top
What We Love: Abayas
How Much: From RM90
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal
www.moonabaya.com
www.facebook.com/moonabaya
Online Hijab
Here you can find more traditionally designed hijabs, jubahs and baju kurungs, a two-piece skirt and tunic ensemble worn by Malay women. Distributors are available in Singapore, Brunei and the US. International shipping available.
What We Love: Printed headwear
How Much: From RM19
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Western Union
www.onlinehijab.com
www.facebook.com/onlinehijab
Pastelina
Get sucked into the colorful world of Pastelina—so happy, bright and pretty that you just want to buy everything. Kudos to the ladies behind this label for being fashionably modest. It’s a treat to see their pictures, modeling every collection, and the photography is stellar. International shipping available.
What We Love: Lulu Maxi Skirt
How Much: RM30–RM150
Pay By: Bank transfer, PayPal
www.ilovepastelina.com
Sputniksweetheart
It all started with a blog. Now, this online store offers casual, colorful and girly modest fashion items. International shipping available.
What We Love: Playful ‘jumpsuits’
How Much: RM30–RM100
Pay By: Credit card, local cash deposit, online banking
shop.sptnkswthrt.com
www.facebook.com/shopsputniksweetheart
Sugar Scarf
Hijabholics rejoice! Here you will find a small variety of hijabs, from inner to outer, plain to printed, and long to voluminous. International shipping available.
What We Love: Printed long scarf
How Much: RM14–RM70
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal
www.sugarscarfbyriqa.com
www.facebook.com/sugarscarf
The Poplook
This online store offers many pretty, sleek and chic choices of separates including what’s hot right now: rompers long and short. The website is well laid out—just swipe your cursor over something you like to see alternative views of it. We also find the prices very comparable to other similar stores. International shipping available (free local posting).
What We Love: Floaty skirts and dresses
How Much: RM39–RM200
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal
www.thepoplook.com
www.facebook.com/thepoplook
Tender Blush
For quirky higher-than-high heels, wedges and platforms featuring studs and animal print—some inspired by international runways—strut no further. Accessories like bags, purses and rings are also available. But… the shoes! International shipping available.
What We Love: Super-duper skyscrapers
How Much: RM20–RM230
Pay By: Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Western Union
aineesuhaidi.blogspot.com
Thirtyfour
A combination of aesthetics, fashion and industrial materials come together to result in a range of utilitarian bags and handbags as well as accessories like bangles and belts. Get with the program with Apple product casings, too. Worldwide stockists are available. Free worldwide shipping until November 2011.
What We Love: ‘Edie Satchel’
How Much: US$20–US$500
Pay By: PayPal
www.thirtyfour.net
www.facebook.com/thirtyfour.net
Tudung People
Need floaty hijabs to go with your new fashion spoils? The scarves and hijabs here are mostly of the voluminous variety that also covers the chest area. International shipping available.
What We Love: Adiva collection
How Much: From RM25
Pay By: Bank transfer, PayPal, Western Union
www.facebook.com/TudungPeople
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2011 issue of Aquila Style.