Modest Fashion and Muslim Women Travellers’ Perceptions of Comfort, Safety, and Belonging: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

Travel and tourism involving Muslim women have emerged as a growing phenomenon in recent years. Existing studies have started to recognise the importance of including women, or particularly Muslim women as subjects of discussion in travel and tourism research. Modest fashion in the context of travel goes beyond clothing, representing a lifestyle that embraces modesty, creativity, and cultural diversity. This paper discusses how modest fashion has become a vital aspect of Muslim women travellers’ perceptions of comfort, safety, and belonging, fostering respect for their unique experiences and identities while navigating diverse travel environments. Despite its growing potential, there is limited research on modest fashion among Muslim women travellers. This article reviewed published journal articles and literature on modest fashion and Muslim women travellers. The findings show that modest fashion positively influences Muslim women travellers’ perceptions of comfort, safety, and belonging, while also supporting confidence and self-expression during travel. This conceptual paper aims to foster understanding and respect for Muslim women travellers to guide and support future research, inform inclusive tourism practices, and encourage policymakers and industry stakeholders to consider modest fashion as an essential component of Muslim-friendly and gender-sensitive tourism development while also highlighting, as well as integrating modest fashion, tourism, and gender studies respectively.