by Kosher Casual Team | Mar 28, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest
Is it possible to be modest in the beach, without actually suffering inside? Yes absolutely! We’ve previously written about how modest dress codes in tourist destinations, and how to dress for a cruise. Allow us to tell you how you can look modestly fabulous for the beach!
For starters, thank goodness we live in a digital day and age where you can simply order modest active wear, including swim shirts and cover-up skirts. Offhand, you might wonder, “What’s the difference?” The difference is that these items offer utmost comfort and protection for the modest wearer. They are UV protective, fast drying, and are even chlorine resistant. In the case of the swim shirts, they offer a double fabric panel at the chest, which helps maintain modesty after the area comes in contact with water. Best part of all is that these come in many gorgeous colors. No need to suffer in the heat wearing all-black!
There’s a passage we particularly love, from modest blogger TorahCents on the topic of dressing modestly for the beach:
What I do believe is that modesty is not relative to your situation or location. If your standard of modesty is a bikini on a beach, COOL! Then you should feel just as comfortable and appropriate with that on if you had to run into a grocery store or to church for service.
If you don’t, please believe that outfit is not your standard of modesty. It’s something that you have convinced your heart to believe is ok based upon what society promotes. It is illogical to believe that a bikini or one piece is ok at a public beach, but rocking a bra and panties or a leotard is immodest everywhere else. It’s the same thing—the same level of coverage, just made of different material.
What are your thoughts on dressing modestly in the beach? Let us know!
by Kosher Casual Team | Mar 24, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest, Skirts
There are many contrasting opinions on what qualifies to be considered modest clothing. That is mainly because some religions have rules and guidelines on it that are far more strict than others. Furthermore, it varies between different sects of each religion, and between congregations as well. Modest clothing styles also tend to vary between individuals that don’t necessarily have religious affiliations. In their cases, it has more to do with culture and personal preferences.
In general, modest clothing refers to clothing that obviously covers the most private parts of the body, and is also relatively loose-fitting and doesn’t cling to the contours of the body. For most people who choose to dress conservatively, they opt for the types of colors that are more natural and earthy- the blues, greens, blacks, whites, and browns. When it comes to brighter colors such as the vivid pinks, oranges, and yellows- it varies between the wearer. There are many ultra Orthodox women who refrain from wearing bright colors and/or patterns, for modesty purposes.
There are also the matter of dimensions of each garment. In many religions, women are not permitted to wear short shorts. There are some in which women aren’t permitted to wear fitted pants at all, and are advised to wear modest skirts. But how long is a modest skirt expected to be? Well, in some cases it is expected to reach the knee. In others, it is expected to go below the knee. Then there are those that require skirts to reach the ankles. Women are generally also told to avoid see-through clothing, skirts/dresses with long slits, revealing bathing suits, and in many sects even tops with revealing necklines.
Rules of modesty aren’t limited to clothes. There are also restrictions on the wearing of makeup and jewelry. In some faiths, women aren’t allowed to cut their hair. Although it may appear a bit much to some, there are also strict rules of modesty that apply to men as well. The guiding principle behind the rules of modesty and modest clothing is to project humility and not spark sinful thoughts and actions on oneself or others.
by Kosher Casual Team | Mar 17, 2017 | Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest, Modest Clothing Accessories
Ladies and gentlemen- modesty goes both ways. It is not just for the ladies. We’ve previously written about universal rules of modesty for women. That got us thinking- what about men? Are there general, universal rules to modesty (in terms of appearance) for men? The answer is YES!
Granted, it’s all relative. Interpretations of what is considered to be modest varies between different cultures, religions, and of course individuals. As we did our reading, we came across lots of parallels between different religious sects in terms of how men are expected to upkeep their appearance. And of course, we decided to share them with you!
The rules of modesty for men narrow down to two categories: physical appearance, and clothing/behavior. Yes, clothing is paired with behavior, because as we’ve previously written, there is a direct correlation between the two.
Physical Appearance
Men are generally expected to keep their hair short. Although the accepted length varies between religions and cultures, they’re generally expected to keep the hair on their head shorter than women. The modern trends of men shaving themselves smooth for the sake of vanity is generally frowned upon. In most instances, it’s a different story if it’s solely for hygienic reasons around particular parts of the body. It’s generally acceptable for men to maintain a smooth face, or keep facial hair- but the bottom line is whichever route they choose, they have to keep themselves nicely groomed.
Men are also expected to look after their health and fitness across the board. But how much is too much? Well, it’s okay for a man to exercise to be fit and gain some muscle. However, reactions get mixed when a man goes after obtaining an excessively muscular appearance- because again- that taps into vanity.
Things get interesting when it comes to jewelry and other accessories. There are mixed opinions on men wearing earrings and/or excessive jewelry such as gold chains. In most cases, it’s okay for a married man to wear a wedding band, and there are also cases where it would only be okay if the material isn’t made out of gold, because gold is considered too flashy. It is unanimously accepted for men to wear watches, but only if it isn’t heavily adorned. The same applies with religious symbols- he can wear it, just as long as the piece itself is very subtle.
Clothing and Behavior
Because men, in most cultures, play a more authoritative role in society, it is generally expected that they dress modestly to be taken seriously. You just wouldn’t expect an authoritative person to approach their role in clothing that is tight, revealing, or flashy. Elder men are expected to inspire and set an example of modesty for younger men, as well as women and children. This assists in encouragement of modest behavior as well.
Men are expected to speak and act in ways that clearly demonstrate righteousness. Yes, popular culture does make that difficult for younger men of today, which makes it that much more important for those that are close to them to motivate them to get on, and stay on the modest track.
Are their some other general rules of modesty for men that you know of? Let us know in the comments below!
by Kosher Casual Team | Mar 16, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest
What do you think of when you think of orthodox fashion? Instinctively, most people would think of loose, long, and frumpy pieces that are a far cry from being trendy. This is especially the case for women who are expected to cover their collarbones, knees, and elbows for modesty. While the perception of unflattering clothes worn by orthodox women may have been true for a long time in most places- times are changing. Little by little, orthodox fashion is becoming high fashion. That is mainly because many clothing brands, both large and small, are designing apparel that is (finally) modern and trendy.
The current trend, which is likely here to stay, didn’t just come out of nowhere. Religious girls and women worldwide kept facing difficulties in finding modest clothes that met their needs. For example, the long denim skirt would have been perfect if it weren’t for the slit in the back. The long white tunic would have been perfect if the fabric could have been thicker to not make it see-through. And the dress would have been perfect if it weren’t for the cut-outs, peep-holes, and low neck/back. These women had to settle for whatever they could find, and make adjustments by layering up when possible. However, that often led to them sticking out like a sore thumb, especially in areas with warmer climates.
Little by little, major retailers started offering a few modest pieces. Orthodox women flocked over by the masses to purchase the goods, which were finally the perfect mix of modest and stylish. They were beginning to wear outfits that actually gave them joy, confidence, and helped make them stand out. The fashion world began to take notice.
Slowly but surely, trendy modest dresses for women began to emerge to much fanfare from orthodox and nonorthodox women alike. There were ensembles popping up that featured unique color blocks and patterns that made the wearers look and feel more majestic. Neutral colored dresses started coming out with long and flowing designs, making the wearer feel like a goddess. Asymmetrical dresses came out, making the wearer feel like the world was her catwalk. Then there were the dresses with romantic themes, bohemian themes, and more. Women began to rediscover themselves through these dresses, and they are continuing to love every second of it.
We’re currently living in great times in terms of fashion. For most women, it is no longer particularly difficult to find a modest dress that is trendy and made with breathable fabrics. When they step out in their modest gear, they can now do so with full confidence, knowing they look absolutely amazing and in style.
by Kosher Casual Team | Feb 28, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest, Modest Fashion, Skirts
Many modest dressers can’t help but entertain the idea of wearing bathing suits or short sundresses as they pack their bags for vacations to tropical climates. They might also dream of wearing a little something that looks romantic and dramatic that falls off the shoulder for different destinations in Europe. So what do modest dressers do? Try to pick outfits that will still go with the overall theme of the setting. Maybe something turquoise to match with the blue waters, or neutral colors to match with stone walls. Or even floral prints to match with the scenery. But that’s not all that should be kept in mind for modest dressers as they pack.
When visiting areas that include holy sites, religious institutions/neighborhoods, or simply a lot of locals that observe certain customs and traditions, it’s important to respect those observances and keep them in mind to not offend anyone. You must look into what the people of that area consider to be revealing, and try to respect it to the best of your capability. Why? Because there are many areas where visitors that are deemed immodestly dressed could simply be refused entry. In most cases, they are generally more forgiving to people who are visibly tourists, but you never know.
There are some general, universal rules to dressing modestly, for men and women alike. Men are expected to wear clean, pressed long pants. Women are generally advised to wear clothing that goes below the knees and elbows, and refrain from wearing tight garments. It doesn’t matter if it technically covers the skin. Long see-through garments are also obviously a major no-no, unless it’s as a layering piece.
Also, keep a lightweight scarf or shawl handy, in case you go through or visit a religious site. You may need it to cover your neck, shoulders, or your hair. In some cases, ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods would go as far as posting signs along their outer perimeters. They request visitors to respect their observances and be suitably dressed before they enter. It’s the best way to ensure you don’t get “that look.”
Do you recommend any other tips to be respectfully modest while vacationing? Let us know in the comments!
by Kosher Casual Team | Feb 22, 2017 | Dress, Dress Code, Fashion Philosophy, Modest, modest clothing, Modest Fashion
The definition of modesty varies between different religions, cultures, and demographics. In some religions, it’s okay for a woman to expose her collarbone, and in others, it isn’t. In some religions, it’s okay for a woman to wear clothing that covers the knees and elbows- and it others, it isn’t. There are places where women are freely able to wear bright prints; places where they can only wear subtle prints; and places where they are better off focusing on solids.
The variations spark lots of debates. For example, if Woman #1 is wearing a knee-length skirt without stockings, and Woman #2 is wearing full-length relaxed-fit jeans- who’s dressed more modestly? There are many who would say Woman #2 is dressed more modestly, because she isn’t exposing any skin. However, there are also many who would argue that Woman #2 is being immodest simply by wearing pants, because she is giving out a visual of the parting between her thighs, which Woman #1 has concealed. There are also many who would say that both are being immodest, and Woman #1 should have thick stockings on, or wear a full-length skirt in order to be considered modest.
It gets mind-boggling at times, because it’s tricky to satisfy everyone. One can’t help but wonder- are there universal rules to dressing modestly? We think so! We apply these rules to our collection, to ensure overall satisfaction.
Here are some (generally) universal rules that come to mind:
Clothing that features see-through materials are generally not modest. This even applies to dresses that are otherwise designed in a modest fashion. If parts that are meant to be covered are actually exposed- that’s not favorable. Not even as a tease. Have a look at the picture below, for example. But if it’s a sheer layering piece that is going to be worn over a shell- that’s perfectly fine, and looks really cool too if anything.
Short shorts that expose too much of the thigh are generally not considered decent. In many cases, shorts of any length aren’t permitted at all. But in the case of short shorts, those are generally frowned upon whether worn by men or women, unless for a brief period with a sufficient reason (such as athletics.) Here’s an example below that would pass only because he is playing tennis.
Just as clothing should not reveal the chest of women, it also shouldn’t reveal the back. Here’s an interesting pic of three contrasting styles. The woman in the middle is clearly dressed most appropriately. That’s actually a really pretty dress!
Tall woman don’t have as much wiggle room with clothes as shorter women do. Something that’s medium-length would look very long when worn by a short person. Yet, that same article of clothing would look immodest on a taller woman, simply because of her longer limbs. Taller women should always purchase longer items accordingly.
Dressing modestly is not at all limited to just women. Men are expected to dress modestly as well, because immodest thoughts and actions can go both ways. Also, doesn’t it simply look better when everyone is well-dressed?
Let us know of any universal rules to dressing modestly that we might have missed, in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
