How is the dress distinct in Islam for Men and Women?

In Islam pertaining dressing in general, there is a principle that men dresses men clothing and women dresses women clothing. The dress of men should be clear and distinct from the dress of women. Women are not allowed to dress like men and men are not allowed to dress like women. The Prophet (ﷺ) spoke very specifically on this matter[1]. So, general fashions which are to a large degree in the hands of homosexuals, who have promoted this type of natural fashion where the men or women can wear. They call it same sex or single sex garments. Anybody can wear it. And then from there they promote men wearing female type dresses and garments, and women wearing men type dresses and garments. This is not permissible in Islam. This is to prevent and to keep at bay with the tendency of the world’s homosexuality, which exists in societies all around the world. It is there, but Islam opposes homosexuality[2]. There is no compromise with regards to it. It will not be tolerated in society. Any person who is homosexual privately, that’s their business. Islam will not go breaking into people’s homes, finding homosexuals.  But, in the society as a whole where they are functioning, they are not allowed to promote it, to display it and to expose it. They should keep it to themselves.

So, what is known as a woman’s dress should only be worn by women? Off course this may vary from culture to culture. It’s not a hard and fast law which we say men should not wear dresses. If you go to Scotland, men are found wearing kilt which is like a dress. If you go to Yemen, men are wearing izar which is like a mini skirt. Similarly, wearing earrings is always a woman’s thing. In the west the homosexual started to wear it in one ear. Then this idea spread to heterosexual men, and they also started wearing it. This is part of a crumbling society that is connected with moral values going down. Islam wants that distinction between males and females kept strong. Part of growing of the beard - one of the characteristics of the natural way is the growing of the beard [3], it’s said, this is one of the distinction between men and women. In general around the world, men have beard women don’t. So for men, grow your beards, you may trim it but don’t shave it. This idea of avoiding the imitation of women may also govern the idea of wearing the Conceit chains. Women wear necklaces and this is a woman’s thing but eventually through fashion, homosexual influence on fashion- men started wearing chains till it became a norm. Can we wear it now since it has become a norm? No, it may be a norm at some places where people have been influenced. But you know as Muslims we should avoid such practices which were not a norm in society and were in fact part of female dress code. In terms of the length of one’s dress in males, Islam does teach that your pants should not be below your ankles [4]. This is a part of Islamic teachings. It’s not a major issue but if you are concerned about confirming to the rules of Islam then it’s something for you to consider. For women their garment should come down to the top of their feet [5].

So for a man:

• He doesn’t dress like a woman.
• He avoids silk and gold. [6]
• He keeps his garment to the ankle.
• He wears loose garments which don’t expose his aura.

And for the woman:

• She covers herself from head to toe except for her face and hands [7] in a loose garment.
• Some women wear gloves and face covering, as naqab. This is optional. If a woman chooses to do so, she may do so. It’s not against or outside the Islamic culture. It existed in the time of Holy Prophet (ﷺ). But it’s not an obligation. It is something that maybe recommended in some circumstances or at least commendable to woman who chooses to do so, to be anonymous in the society not known, out of shyness. Not wanting to be seen. No one stared upon etc.

But our general guidelines are avoidance of the imitation of the dress used by the opposite sex. Maintain a clear distinction between male and female.

References:

[1] It is reported by Ahmad ibn Hambal hadith number 2291; under the Narrations of Abdullah ibn Abbas, and by Abu Dawood ; hadith number 4097; under the chapter of Women’s clothes,  and by At Tirmidi; hadith number 2784, under the chapter of Female imitators of males. Imam Albany declared the hadith to be authentic in his book Sahih and Daeif sun an Abi Dawood hadith number 4097.

[2] It was the practice of the people of Nabi Loot, and Allah destroyed them. And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered for them to be killed, see hadith number: 4462; chapter those who do the actions of the people of Loot; Sun an Abi Dawood.

[3] Narrated by Imam Muslim: hadith number: 261; chapter: Purification

[4] Check Sahih Al Bukhari; hadith number: 5787; chapter: What is beneath the ankles is in the fire

[5] Check hadith number: 1731; chapter: The dragging on the flow of women’s long garments; Sun an Abi Dawood

[6] Check hadith number: 1720; chapter of Silk and Gold, Sun an Abi Dawood

[7] Check the tafseer Ibn Katheer of Chapter Noor; verse:31