We live in an age where creatives shape their ideas around existing lifestyles and beliefs. This article explores how religion influences the identity and personal style of Fashola Latifat, a Muslim 300-level Public Administration student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Latifat’s style is a blend of modesty and self-expression. It is a reflection of both her faith and desire to dress in a way that makes her feel original, comfortable and elegant, strutting anywhere she walks into in a confident and yet godly manner. This balance allows her to align fashion with the principles of her faith, harmonising Islamic values with her own distinctive sense of style.
Latifat believes conforming to modesty doesn’t limit self-expression, but rather refines it. Being so, in styling her scarves and mixing classy colours while staying updated with ongoing trends, Latifat would choose to pair a trendy outfit that seems too short or fitted with a loose shirt or a long jacket, making her modest and still fashionable, staying true to both her faith and individuality.
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On a typical day, she picks her outfit based on how long she plans to be outside and the activities she has lined up. If she will be out for hours, Latifat prefers something loose and casual, like baggy trousers and a comfortable top, so she can move easily and stay relaxed. However, for religious events or on Fridays, she opts for traditional Muslim attire to express her devotion and cultural pride, while also trading her usual preference for calm and soft colours to brighter tones and more elegant fabrics, as a form of celebration and expression of gratitude through her appearance.
Latifat builds her fashion identity on the belief that how a person dresses mirrors their state of mind. For her, style is something that keeps her grounded, calm, and confident, serving as a reminder that real beauty begins within and shines through the way one chooses to appear.
She views her wardrobe as a form of personal worship, self-care, and creative practice, capturing the balance between faith, comfort, and creativity.
Latifat Expresses her Views
Here are five moments where Latifat displayed her versatility in looking stylish while still honouring and staying true to her faith:
‘Honestly, I did not even plan for the outfit to come out this good. There is this thing in fashion I like to call ‘dressing your inspiration,’ and for me, Pinterest is usually where my ideas start. That day, I just felt in my mind that this look would bang, so I went with it. I love free, comfortable trousers, and the soft colour of these pants is one of my favourites. Then I paired it with one of my go-to bodysuits because it balances the looseness of the pants. To complete the modest look, I added my peach scarf, and then layered it with a touch of a black scarf styled in an Arab-inspired way, because no matter what I wear, I like my outfit to still show the elegance and identity of a Muslimah. And yeah, everything just came together naturally, and the final look surprised me in the best way.
‘This look was part of my brown era. A week where I was playing with different shades of brown and making them fit naturally into my style. On this particular day, my friend and I went to the museum to explore some works of art, and I wanted something easy to wear and very comfortable, and still expressive, so I paired my brown scarf with a white-and-blue packing shirt to give the outfit a soft contrast. The Crocs kept the look relaxed and effortless, and of course, the shades added that little touch of confidence I always love.’
‘Black has always been my favourite colour to wear, it just goes with everything, and it always feels right on me. On this particular day, I knew I would be on campus for a long time, so comfort was my number one goal. I went with my black jeans because they’re simple, relaxed, and easy to move around in, and I paired them with a baggy round-neck shirt so I could stay comfortable throughout the day.
‘To tie the outfit together, I layered a long-sleeve shirt inside the shirt, which helped the whole look make sense while also keeping it modest. Then I completed the outfit with my black scarf, styled in a simple but beautiful way that still reflects my faith. And of course, the sunglasses. The campus sun is no joke, so the shades were not just fashion; they were survival. Everything just came together naturally and was very me.’
‘This was part of my brown era also, and it made me smile all week. I recreated this look from a reel I saw on Instagram, and I love how effortlessly it came together on me. One thing I’ve learned is that for many Muslim women, the real challenge isn’t the outfit itself, it’s styling the scarf in a way that completes the look. Choosing clothes is one thing, but matching the scarf, shaping it, and making sure it sits well is a whole different level of creativity. This look made me appreciate that process even more. It felt soft, intentional, and very me.’
Latifat is showing artistic versatility
‘I have always wanted to style this dress in a way that truly matches my own sense of fashion and aesthetic, but for a while, I lost interest and confidence for personal reasons. Still, I did not want to completely step out of the fashion world, so I decided to give the outfit a simple touch-up just enough to keep my creativity alive.
‘I wanted a blend of a corporate look with a soft, girly aesthetic, so I paired the top with jeans and added a few pieces of jewellery to elevate the outfit. The result came out nice, and even though I know I can still explore better ways to style it, I am proud of how it turned out. At the end of the day, oversized and comfortable pieces have always been my signature style, and this look still reflects that part of me beautifully.’