Clothing

The purpose of clothing is to cover the body. As far as possible, the form of the body should not be exposed. When we allow the form of the body to be exposed, it is just as if we did not cover our body. It may be due to such reasons that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: 

"There are women who are clothed but are (in actual fact) naked ..." (Bukhari, Muslim)

A good Muslim is a respectable person who dresses properly and decently. A good Muslim will always conceal his body; at least up to the knee, especially when he is in the presence of a person. Allah Ta’ala wanted to give our mothers, sisters their true prestige and true value by commanding them to dress in a respectable way. There is no respect in exposing our bodies; there is no merit to gain. The more you conceal yourself, the more you get Izzah, the more you get value and the more you get honour in the eyes of Allah. Real honour lies in concealing the body and not in exposing it. 

[English version of "L'habillement" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.1]