"Modesty: A Fashion Paradox" by Hafsa Lodi

This fascinating book covers modest fashion from a primarily Muslim perspective.  That being said, the author does occasionally weave in parallels with Christian and Jewish traditions which--while not as strict as Islam--promote their own form of modesty.  Surprisingly, Lodi who is a Muslim herself does not cover her hair.  She approaches fashion from a straightforward approach.  While she does not avoid the topic of religion, she also does not force it on readers.  As a non-Muslim myself, I learned a great deal about Islamic fashion while not feeling like I was being proselytized to.  It was interesting to see how modesty standards vary within even the Muslim community itself.  While some Muslim models are celebrated as heroes, others are criticized as not being modest enough.  From those who argue over whether or not to cover one's hair to what specific hair covering is appropriate, there is a myriad of opinions.  There are even those who argue over colors, sparkles, and even nail polish.  Lodi does a good job representing diverse opinions without overtly favoring one over the other.  This book is a great read for people of all faiths (or none) who want to learn more about modest fashion.  It should be noted that this book is more academic / historical and is not in any way any sort of "how to" guide for modest dressing.  Aside from a few color photos in the middle of the book, this is primarily text.