Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Must a teenager wear a jilbaab once she reaches puberty? If her clothes are not tight fitting, does it not suffice?
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate.
Once a woman reaches the age of puberty (and a little before it, too), she must in front of marriageable men:
a) cover her body with clothing that is
1) loose; tight-fitting clothes are unlawful
2) thick enough such that the color of the skin does not show through
3) and long enough to cover the body;
She should also try not to wear clothing that attracts attention according to the culture of the area where she lives. For example, bright colors are perfectly normal in some parts of Africa, whereas they would turn heads in some parts of Canada.
As long as she fulfills these conditions, she is not obliged to wear the Arab style jilbab or abaya.
More importantly though, is modesty in her character. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said that modesty is a branch of faith and in another hadith, he said that it only brings good. Modesty is lacking in today’s times, so whoever is blessed with this characteristic, has indeed been given a beautiful quality.
And Allah knows best.