What's the big deal about Muslim women wearing head scarves?

When I was younger, I used to think it was so oppressive that Muslim women were "forced" to cloak their bodies and reveal barely any skin. Having spent over three years living in four different Muslim countries, I honestly don't see what the big deal is now. Many Muslim women simply dress modestly, wearing very nice shirts and dresses, and wearing a scarf to cover their head. I've talked with a few of them and they always laughed when I suggested what Western women do for fashion. It made me wonder, are we so much better off in the West where women wear short shorts and low cut tank tops? Maybe I'm just too old-fashioned, even though I'm only in my late 20s, LOL