by Kosher Casual Team | Feb 10, 2017 | Dress, modest clothing, Modest Fashion
When it comes to dresses, younger generations of today don’t go crazy over vintage finds for nothing. It goes without saying- things were simply far more gorgeous back in the day. The common thread between all the styles from the ’30’s, 40’s, and 50’s that made them stand out was the fact that they were timeless, fashionable, feminine, and most important of all- modest.
Many of these styles can easily be recreated, through clever pairing, accessorizing, and draping. Then there are others that, well, will take a bit more effort in terms of embroideries and such. Once all is said and done, the efforts will be worth it, and will make the wearer a true stunner with class!
Here’s a look at some lovely summer dresses from yesteryear. In some cases, you’ll want to grab the dresses right out of the photos, while with others you will wonder how ladies managed to maintain their grace while under all those layers in the summer heat. Try not to get too lost in the beautiful prints, details, and workmanship!
What do you think about the vintage look? Let us know in the comments!
by Kosher Casual Team | Feb 9, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, modest clothing, Modest Clothing Accessories, Modest Fashion
Accessories are awesome! You can’t deny the fact that accessories make everyone look and feel younger, because they allow you to achieve the look you’re going after. When rocked with confidence, they can turn any modest casual outfit into a chic fashionable ensemble, or even help you make older outfits appear more up-to-date. One of the best things about accessories is the fact you don’t have to spend big money on them to look fabulous.
When it comes to choosing accessories, most of us tend to think about it after purchasing outfits. There’s nothing wrong with that if you already have a massive collection of things to choose from. The best way to approach accessorizing is to keep three important points in mind.
- Choose your accessories based on common elements with the outfit itself, such as color, texture, or style. Also, try to have accessories match with each other. For example, if you’re wearing silver earrings, opt for the bag with the silver buckle, and the shows with the silver embellishment. Don’t forget to also add some contrast into the mix, because sometimes outfits just don’t look right when they’re too “matchy-matchy.”
- Choose accessory sizes that work well with your body size. For example, if you have a small frame, smaller and simpler accessories might suit you best. If you have a large frame, that may not necessarily mean you should use larger accessories- but try giving medium sized accessories a go.
- Use accessories to attract or detract attention to different points. This one can get a little tricky, because you may not want to wear pieces that are too flashy on or near your chest and such. The goal is to stay modest, with a modern twist.
Here are our top nine accessory must have recommendations, which you can use as inspiration. Let us know if there are any you might like to add in the comments below.
Modest Shoes/Boots
Handbags
Eyeglasses and Sunglasses
Jewelry
Scarves, Shawls, Ties
Hats
Belts
Hosiery and Socks
Hair Ornaments
by admin | Feb 11, 2015 | A-line Skirts, Basic Skirts, Denim Skirt, Dress, Fashion Must-Haves, High Waist, Knee-Length Skirt, Kosher Casual, modest clothing, Modest Fashion, Modest Skirts, Pencil Skirts
As a modest dresser, I insist on sensible coverage. But I also insist on a look that is feminine, not frumpy. My favorite way to approach this challenge is to accentuate the positive – that is, the naturally attractive curve of the female waist.
Let’s be clear here: I’m not talking about waist-whittling undergarments, or fabrics that cling so tight that they leave nothing to the imagination. Whether you’re choosing a skirt, dress or top, a tailored, waist-skimming treatment of your midriff can add dignity, and even a touch of glamour.
Let’s look at some of the options.
Ruched Waistbands: The Vintage Advantage
Remember those glamorous gals in the Hollywood movies of the 40s and 50s? You don’t have to look like Rita Hayworth to benefit from the way that gently gathered material at the waist creates an instant hourglass shape, while drawing attention away from both the bosom and the hips.
This type of waistband adds a touch of elegance and interest in everything from a full-length dress to a casual skirt or top.
Spandex is a Girl’s Best Friend
Forget full-body spandex – skin-tight leotards and tights are just not my style. But a little spandex goes a long way, especially when it’s hidden at the waistline.
I love the comfort that comes from a spandex waistband. Not only does it allow me to adjust the length of a skirt with just a little tug, it’s designed to be tucked away under a hip-skimming or tailored top. This gives me a look that’s curvaceous… not flirtatious!
High Waisted Comfort
They say that a waist is a terrible thing to mind. Still, I admit: some days, I’d rather dress in a way that leaves my curves to the imagination. For an easy, flowing feeling, try a high-waisted skirt that adds a little swing to your step. This high waisted, mid-calf pencil skirt is ultra-feminine and helps me step out in confidence.
by admin | Jan 12, 2015 | Cardigan, Dress, Layering shirts, Layering Tops, Long Sleeve Tops, modest clothing, Modest Fashion, Tunic Tops, Winter
Some women love it when the mercury drops, because it gives them a chance to wear those heavy-duty sweaters that only come out of the closet during the coldest months of the year.
Not me.
I make my clothing decisions based on both modesty, and on my personal fashion sense. Personally, I feel prettier when my clothes offer a sleek, feminine line. And guess what? Despite the red-carpet images sold to us by Madison Avenue and Hollywood – shivering celebrities in barely-there evening gowns come to mind – we women can dress fashionably in winter… and stay warm!
Women’s Tunic Top – Short Front Long Back
Lovely Layers
Let’s go from the bottom up. Modest dressers can stay toasty by relying on three-quarter and long-sleeved shell tops. These items – which, during the summer months, help bridge the gap between an outfit’s too-low necklines or too-short sleeves, and our desired coverage level – do double-duty in winter. Not only do they keep us cozy and warm, they can also add a fashionable dash of color.
When choosing what to go on top of that first layer, I like to reach for something with a graceful, interesting shape – like an unbalanced hemline or mullet cut tunic. Both these tops look great over a boot-length skirt.
Loose Knit Cardigan with Pockets
Topping it Off
There are lots of fashion-conscious options for top layers (not to be confused with outerwear; see below) in winter. From open-front cardigans to belted sweaters, they give me a modestly feminine shape, while keeping me warm.
Stepping Out
Of course, winter weather requires a winter coat. But if you’re like me, while you don’t want to freeze, you don’t want to look like the Michelin Man, either. High-tech fabrics like Thinsulate keep the bulk down, so making belted outerwear a pretty option. So ladies, remember: whatever the forecast, think fashion!
by admin | Dec 7, 2014 | Basic Skirts, Basic Tops, Christmas, Dress, Fashion Must-Haves, Gift Certificate, Gifts, Hannukah, Holiday Shopping, Holidays, Jewelry, Little Black Dress
The holiday season is a bonanza for business, with the media making darned sure that everyone feels a guilty responsibility: To buy gifts and to make ‘em good.
Face it: gift buying success is not an exact science. What’s more, when the female target of your gift purchases – whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a colleague from work – is a difficult “fit”, we can find ourselves roaming the aisles, either empty handed, or worse, with our hands full of gifts that are sure to go right to the back of the closet. Or back to the store.
Here are some thoughts to guide you on your girl-oriented gift-giving adventures.
(1) It’s winter. Think cozy.
You don’t have to be headed for a ski resort to appreciate the warmth that’s expressed by seasonal dressing. In the winter months, everybody loves an extra layer, and outerwear is a risk-free choice; whether it’s a casual sweatshirt or a camel’s wool coat, it doesn’t have to match any particular outfit. For a low-budget option, remember: winter scarves, hats and gloves are a colorful, girl-friendly gift, and a classic expression of seasonal affection.
Women’s Loose Fitting, Raglan Style Shirt – Perfect ‘Basic’ for your Wardrobe
(2) Basics rock!
Did you know that the girl who has everything has something in common with the fussiest recipient on your list? It’s true: both have limited bandwidth for appreciating your creative shopping efforts. So why fight it? A sure-fire way to please both these categories is to concentrate on blue-chip, tried-and-true basics. Complement the wardrobe these women already have by choosing high-quality tops, bottoms and layering pieces in easy-to-match colors.
(3) You can never own too much…
…jewelry. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but if the real stuff is out of your price range, try browsing your local department store racks for fun – and fake – pieces that can liven up any look.
Kosher Casual’s Little Black Dress
(4) Dare to buy a dress
Yes, it can be done. Keep your eyes out for classic styles that are not too fussy in the details, yet say “holiday” all the way to the hem. For example, imagine an unstructured dress in a solid-color… that’s the kind of foolproof, one-size-fits-all gift dress that is sure to be appreciated, because it can be dressed up and accessorized, creating a starting point for a personal fashion statement.
(5) And if you despair…
Don’t. Gift certificates may sound like a cop-out, but allowing the girl on your gift list to do her own shopping might be the greatest gift of all!
by admin | May 23, 2010 | Prom Dress
5 Ways to Find Modest Prom Dresses
Prom season is officially upon us, which means that there’s bound to be an abundance of black polyester ball gowns flying off shelves in stores throughout the country. If you’re looking for modest prom dresses, however, it may not be quite as easy to pull something off the rack. The good news is that because most prom dresses are long, you shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping your legs covered. So essentially, all you need is a dress that covers your top as well as your legs – and with a bit of ingenuity, you should be able to transform nearly any dress into a tasteful and appropriate modest prom dress.
Here are some ways to find modest prom dresses:
- Add a wide wrap. Tie the wrap by holding the middle of the wrap against your back, and draping the sides forward. Wrap the hanging parts around your arms towards your back, and have a friend (or your mother) tie the wrap in a tight knot under the width of wrap that is covering your back. If you have an extremely wide wrap (think Pashmina style), you can potentially even avoid the knot in the back, though this will surely help keep the wrap in place, even if it’s not entirely necessary.
- Add a bolero jacket. My wedding gown actually came as two pieces – a strapless gown, and a bolero jacket to wear over it. I imagine that women who aren’t concerned about modesty would remove the jacket during the dancing, but I was thrilled to wear it throughout the wedding. If you’re looking for modest prom dresses that will look good with a bolero jacket, look for styles that are fitted in the middle, so that the jacket will make you look sleek without looking stocky. The easiest solution would be to find a dress that comes with a jacket. But if you can’t, there are other options. Some prom dresses come with shawls, and it’s relatively easy to have a bolero jacket made out of the extra material. Another possibility would be to create a knee-length or tea length gown by cutting off the hem and using that to create a jacket. If you are purchasing an inexpensive dress, you may even be able to buy two just to have enough material.
- Look online. Searching for modest prom dresses in traditional clothing stores may be extremely frustrating. The world of the internet, however, is an entirely different story. There are dozens of websites that offer modest evening wear – all you need to do is poke around a bit.Check out this beautiful pic fromTotallyModest.com
- Have your modest prom dress made. You may be surprised at how affordable it is to have a dress made if it’s somewhat simple. You can get inspiration from modest red carpet looks like the one worn by Diane Kruger to the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute’s Gala in 2010.
- Go goddess. Goddess dresses are among my favorite style of evening wear, and they make fantastic modest prom dresses. The billowy material drapes modestly and beautifully, and most goddess dress styles can be found with sleeves or easily maneuvered to have sleeves added. What’s great about a goddess dress is that unlike many prom dresses that look as though they were crafted just for a teenage dance, a goddess dress will look great at prom and at other evening events. And, of course, the best part of wearing a goddess dress is that it will definitely make you feel like a goddess…which is a great way to feel on prom night.
