Gone are the days when layering sweaty fabrics and making do with men’s sportswear was the only option for Muslim women who wanted to play sport and dress modestly. There is now lots more choice, from the burkini through to the sports hijab.

It’s that last item that is making waves, with the Nike Pro Hijab just named as one of the “hottest fashion products” of the year so far by Lyst.

It’s the first time ever a sporting hijab has entered the list, placing at number seven in the Lyst Index for the first quarter of 2019.

The Nike Pro Hijab was first launched in 2017, and was made in collaboration with Muslim female athletes including fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, figure skater Zahra Lari and weightlifter Amna Al Haddad. The hijab is made from single-layer Nike Pro power mesh, a breathable, lightweight fabric.

Lyst said it felt “reductive to label a hijab as a “hot fashion product”, but its placing on the index was an “exciting and important moment, reflective of the many socio-cultural changes that have been impacting the fashion industry”.

It certainly taps into the need women have for more diverse sportswear, and how products which meet that need are desired. Sport should be for everyone, and accessible clothing plays a part in that.

Image: Nike