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One of my Persian friends would wear modest but stylish clothes - she was always wearing collared shirts and long loose pants or skirts with her beautiful headscarves. She seemed to be doing her best to dress appropriately for her faith while not sticking out in a crowd. She didn't feel oppressed. It was entirely her choice to wear her scarf. She made the choice in high school, and was at peace with her decision.
That said, she did seem bothered if someone acknowledged it. I remember one instance when we were eating lunch together and a woman who was dressed with a different style scarf and looser attire (whom she didn't know) smiled and nodded at her. She was polite and smiled back. I asked her if she knew her, and she responded that she didn't, and that the woman's nod to her was a sort of sign of solidarity - but she admitted that it is tiresome at times, and in this case it was a bit of an insult. I never did understand that - though now that I see Dlish's poster, I can see how the woman wearing looser, more drab clothing could have been looking down on my stylish friend.
This is off topic, but...
My grandmother (not Muslim) often wore headscarves in the winter. She had a strikingly colorful collection, and they looked beautiful on her. Following her lead, I often wrap my scarves the same way she used to - they are more comfortable and elegant than hats. But I wear them this way less and less, since people stare. Badly. It's a shame that head scarves are no longer viewed as an accessory by non-Muslims.
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"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq
"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy
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