Women in احرام wear any modest clothing in any color, avoid niqab and gloves, and follow the same general احرام prohibitions as men — they may drape fabric over the face when near non-mahram men.
Unlike men, women have no specific garment requirement for احرام. They may wear any modest clothing in any color — the common misconception that women must wear white or black is incorrect. Their clothing should cover the entire body except the face and hands, as is the general Islamic requirement for dress. Women may wear sewn clothing, undergarments, socks, and any type of footwear including closed shoes.
The key restrictions specific to women in احرام are: they should not wear a niqab (a face veil with an opening for the eyes that is fitted to the face) and should not wear gloves. However, if non-mahram men are nearby, a woman may drape a cloth (khimar) from her head over her face — the key distinction is that fitted face coverings are prohibited, not face coverage itself. This ruling comes from the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).
All other general احرام prohibitions apply equally to women: no applying perfume, no cutting or removing hair, no trimming nails, no hunting, and no sexual relations. Women who begin menstruating while in احرام remain in the state of احرام but cannot perform طواف until they are pure. They may perform all other rituals of حج normally. Women do Taqsir (trimming) rather than shaving when exiting احرام — they cut approximately a fingertip's length from their hair.
Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) in the state of احرام. When they came close, each of us would drape her jilbab from her head over her face, and when they passed, we would uncover.
Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) in the state of احرام. When they came close, each of us would drape her jilbab from her head over her face, and when they passed, we would uncover.
Source: Ibn Qudamah, Al-Mughni; al-Nawawi, Al-Majmu
Riders would pass by us while we were with the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) in the state of احرام. When they came close, each of us would drape her jilbab from her head over her face, and when they passed, we would uncover.
Sunan Abu Dawud #1833 (hasan)