5 Modest Basics Every Woman Should Have

5 Modest Basics Every Woman Should Have

Dressing modestly isn’t always easy, especially when there are so many immodest clothing options to choose from and fewer clothing items that will actually cover you up. Luckily, modest fashion can be achievable if you know what basics you need and how to build upon them. Here at Kosher Casual, we have all of these basics and more!

1. Layering Shirts

#1258 3/4 Sleeve Layering Shirt

With a layering shirt, you can transform practically any sleeveless dress or top into a piece of modest clothing that you’ll feel comfortable wearing. A layering shirt can also be the base for fabulous accessories!  Owning several in a range of colors ensures that you’ll be able to complete an outfit without having to think too hard about it.

2. Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts are a modest basic that can be worn all year round. During the warmer months of the year, this basic can be dressed up with a pair of heels or made completely casual with your favorite pair of comfortable sneakers.  In the fall and winter throw on some cozy tights and a pair of boots and you’re ready to go!

3. Maxi Skirts

Perhaps the ultimate modest basic, long skirts (or maxi skirts) should be in every modest woman’s closet. A black maxi skirt can work with practically any top, and it’s comfortable enough for most activities.  Or switch things up a bit and choose a bold color maxi to wear with a neutral colored top.  However you choose to do it, we know you’ll look great!

4. Tunics

A tunic is an essential basic for day-to-day wear. Paired with a pencil skirt, you’re guaranteed a put-together look that you can take from the store to the office, and it will keep you going into the evening without having to change your clothes! Tunics offer a great look without being clingy and the added length provides great coverage of the areas you’d prefer to keep hidden ;).

5. T-Shirt Dresses

#1651 Hi-Low T-shirt Dress

If you really want to keep your outfit simple, a t-shirt dress is the way to go. This basic is an entire outfit in one piece! All you have to worry about is deciding on the shoes that are most appropriate for your plans. A knee-length dress can be cool and comfortable during the summer, but paired with a cardigan, leggings, and boots, it will also keep you warm in the winter.

Adding the basics to your modest wardrobe is the best way to ensure that you’re comfortable and covered every day. Check out our best sellers at Kosher Casual.

The Best Skirt for your Body Type

The Best Skirt for your Body Type

Dressing modestly and staying fashionable means finding clothing that fits your body well, just as it would for any woman that wants to look modern and stylish. That means knowing your body shape and finding skirts that flatter your natural curves or lack thereof!

When it comes to skirts, there are a variety of designs to choose from, including A-line, high-waisted, form-fitting, pencil skirts and more. Finding the right style starts with looking at the different types of body shapes.

Apple shape which generally means you have a slim lower body and carry your weight around your middle works best with high-waisted skirts. The high waistband will hit the smallest part of the torso and mask the mid-section. If you can find a skirt that is flouncy or has pleats than that will only add more to the total image and help give a lengthened look to the body shape.

The Banana shape (similar width for the waist, hip, and shoulders) does best with form-fitting skirts. Body-conscious skirts with a fun or loud pattern compliment this body type. Keep the shape of your skirts narrow and that will allow your natural curves to speak on their own.

The hourglass is that iconic shape that looks so great in a long pencil skirt. This body shape with a heavier bottom and a well-defined waist has a skirt specifically designed for her. Skirts with a peplum look especially great as they draw all the attention to your waist and give a perfect space for your lower half. Don’t get caught up in the office style of these pencil skirts, patterns and textured fabrics allow you to take advantage of all the length.

Denim Skirts – Because Basic is Beautiful

Denim Skirts – Because Basic is Beautiful

Classic, casual and oh-so comfortable. For me, denim skirts are a wardrobe staple. Not only do they get me out of the house in the morning – looking good – denim skirts get me through the day with style that can be dialed up or down, depending on the occasion.

Button-Front Knee Length Jean Skirt for Women

1805-Stonewashed Blue

Notice that I said denim “skirts”, meaning more than one. While some people might dismiss denim skirts as just Levis without the legs, there’s actually a wide range of denim skirt styles out there.

So don’t settle. Instead of choosing just a “generic” denim skirt, make the most of this fashion essential by shopping for designs that look best on your body, and fit your individual fashion style.

Classic Details – Or Not

The classic blue denim work pants created by Levi Strauss have become a symbol of America, and also create a classic template from which to launch your own fashion statement. Pair it with anything from a t-shirt to a cashmere turtleneck, choose an eye-catching belt or let your top skim over the waistband, and you’re in business.

Some women prefer a smooth, pocket-free look, and in this department, denim skirts can also fit the bill. A hidden zipper on the side or in the center of the back make this type of denim skirt the basis of a casual, yet elegant silhouette.

Beyond Blue, Beyond Denim

Denim skirt materials vary, and you can make the most of your outfit by choosing the one that works for you. Heavy denim can be “doctored” with a touch of spandex, or replaced altogether with a stretch twill that provides the denim skirt look, without the bulk. You can also find denim skirts with full spandex waistbands, designed to be hidden under an un-tucked top.

From light to dark blue, to black, to every color of the rainbow – you can find denim skirt styles that “push the fashion envelope” while still giving you the classic, casual look you adore.

1492-Stonewashed Black Jean Skirt

1492-Stonewashed Black

Special Style Options

If you – or your daughter – want a kicky alternative to classic, try a ruffle denim skirt, or a tiered cut that takes denim to a new and interesting level.

Denim skirts can also be distinctive on the long and short ends of the scale. Some floor-length denim skirts are built from vertical panels that add style, while flattering fuller figures. If you feel comfortable with a higher hemline, a denim skirt’s everyday appeal allows you the option of pairing it with leggings, colorful tights or – especially in winter – a fabulous pair of boots.

In short (or in long) – denim skirts help you make the most out of what’s already in your closet, by giving you a flexible jumping-off point for fashion, creativity and fun. Enjoy!

Waist Watchers for Modest Dressers

Waist Watchers for Modest Dressers

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 waist skirt 1464 with text1

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 waist skirt 1490 with text

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 mid-calf pencil skirt 1470 with text

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.

 

Five Gift-Giving Strategies for the Girl On Your List

Five Gift-Giving Strategies for the Girl On Your List

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

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

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!

A Modest Proposal – Skirts that Fit YOUR Body

A Modest Proposal – Skirts that Fit YOUR Body

If you dress modestly, you know that modest skirts are the workhorses of your everyday wardrobe. But do you really know how to shop for skirts? By paying attention to just a few basic principles, you’ll have an easier time when you next go skirt shopping at the mall. You’ll also have an easier time finding the look that matches your body – and your lifestyle.

The Hips Have It

Skater_Skirt_1472_TealThe drape of a skirt begins at your hips. That’s why – when it comes to skirts – your particular hip-shape is crucial to making the right fashion choice.

Fuller-hipped, curvy women should look for A-line skirts that flare out toward the hemline. This de-emphasizes the mid-section, and creates a more streamlined, elegant line.

Straight-hipped women who wish to emphasize their curves are better served by pencil skirts. Gently hugging the hips and becoming narrower toward the hemline, pencil skirts define an hourglass silhouette that – if it’s not taken to an extreme – can be elegant, tasteful and 100% modest. If you want to further accentuate the pencil skirt’s hourglass effect, try tucking in your top, or wearing a cinch belt at the natural waist.

Hemline – How to Decide?
maxi_skirt_animal_print_1478_giraffe

Skirts that fall just below the knee are universally flattering. But if you choose to go lower – to a midi or maxi length – here are some things to keep in mind.

While undeniably modest, for some women, midi skirts can be a fashion failure. That’s because they tend to fall right on the widest part of the calves. If your legs are thick rather than lean, or if you’re of below-average height, midi-length skirts may not be the best choice for you.

How about shopping for long skirts? Again, short women – as well as Petites – should be extra careful, because maxis can make you look even smaller than you are – to the point of even looking “stumpy” (and nobody wants that!). To avoid this pitfall when shopping for maxi skirts, choose one that fits snugly around your hips and thighs. This makes it more likely that you’ll achieve a look that is both modest and elegant.

When shopping for long skirts, remember: your goal is to dress modestly, not to disappear! Rather than choosing skirts that fall to the floor, try a hemline that reaches to the thinnest part of your ankles. This creates the flattering illusion of slim legs in the context of a modest outfit.

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