When people think of a Middle Eastern woman, the most common image that comes to mind is that of a woman wearing a long black dress, known as an ibaya or jilbab, and a hijab. That is, if no niqab is shown next to it. And while that might have been a pretty accurate portrayal a few decades ago, the fact is that modern Middle Eastern women's fashion is more Westernized than it's ever been. Although I focus primarily on Islamic clothing, much of this applies to non-Islamic Arab women as well. Arab clothing is heavily influenced by Islam, so it is conservative and modest in nature. The process of westernizing anything is a gradual process; and fashion is no different. It all started with transforming the ibaya into a blouse and skirt. Which did not provoke too much criticism from the older generation because it was just as modest. Colors and patterns were introduced, which sparked some thoughts from very religious people that a woman "shouldn't draw attention to herself" and that a bright orange skirt might just do it. TO DO. But ultimately, the younger generation seemed to get through it. I have to say that the item of clothing that received the most criticism was the pants. At first, many people rejected and disapproved of the idea of ​​women wearing pants, feeling that it was not modest enough. They also argued that "a woman should in no way look like a man" and that pants are "a man's thing." What these people don't understand is that it's all about intention. Most often, a woman does not wear pants to look like a man; she wears them for the sake of practicality. The younger population seemed to really enjoy the introduction of pants into their wardrobe and many of them pointed out that even the Prophet Muhammad...... middle of paper ...... oriental woman. Just as some women in the past set the standard for the modern Middle Eastern woman, the modern Middle Eastern woman sets the standard for future generations. Works CitedMoghadam, Valentine M. Modernizing Women: Gender and Social Change in the Middle East. Boulder, CO: L. Rienner, 1993. Print. Redclift, Nanneke and M. Thea. Sinclair. Working women: international perspectives on work and gender ideology. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. “Battle of Style: Middle East versus Western World”. All women stalk. All Women Stalk, nd Web. May 3, 2014. Treister, Negar R. “Globalized Fashion: A Political Statement in the Middle East.” Globalized fashion, a political statement in the Middle East. Political innovations, nd Web. May 5, 2014. “Westernization of clothing in the Middle East. » HTS 2041 The modern Middle East. Wordpress and Web. May 06 2014.