Are There Universal Rules To Dressing Modestly?

Are There Universal Rules To Dressing Modestly?

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!

Women Are Covering Up To Stay COOL

Women Are Covering Up To Stay COOL

That’s right, you read the title correctly. Women all over the world are indeed covering up to stay cool. Well, ‘cool’ in the sense of being trendy. There is a growing movement of modesty taking place worldwide, as revealing styles are taking a backseat to the more conservative and classy looks. Modest style is making waves as women seek fashionable ways to cover up while remaining chic. It was a very long wait for religious women, to easily be able to access the clothes that are needed, while still being able to express their individuality without breaking the bank.

The general outlook when it comes to the latest trend of modest looks is that you can definitely look impressive without revealing yourself. There are lots of modest fashions to fit any style and definition of modesty- from the fun, to bright, to flirty, to glamour and glitzy looks. Modest pieces are quickly becoming closet staples. From long skirts, to tunic tops, to longer dresses, and more. Many believe that this is due to the increase of interest in vintage looks, which are slowly coming back and making their mark.

Designers in high fashion have taken notice, and are designing their latest pieces accordingly. They aren’t necessarily catering to religious women. They are more so catering to women that are covering up, layering up, and dressing up for themselves and other women. Here’s a look at some of their latest designs, straight out of the runway:

 

Now that it is cool again- the modest look is here to stay. People are realizing the benefits of dressing modestly, because just as provocative clothing has a way on conveying a message- so does modest clothing. There is a much greater element of control for women who choose to dress modestly, both in the literal, and figurative sense. We are big believers in moderation, which is why we often say that dressing modestly doesn’t have to mean dressing frumpy. There are tons of great modest looks out there, ready to be rocked. The best part of all is that modest looks leave lots of room for accessorizing. You can pair most anything with awesome shoes, purses, hats, scarves, and more to take your entire ensemble to the next level.

What are some of your favorite modest fashion pairings? Let us know in the comments below!

Modest Summer Dresses Of Yesteryear

Modest Summer Dresses Of Yesteryear

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!

 

Top 9 Must Have Accessories For Your Modest Outfits

Top 9 Must Have Accessories For Your Modest Outfits

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

The Many Definitions of Christian Modest Clothing- Apostolic Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational

The Many Definitions of Christian Modest Clothing- Apostolic Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational

When it comes to modest fashion in Christianity, the definition of modesty depends mostly on your faith. You can be extremely fashionable and be a modest Christian at the same time. Your denomination usually sets the standards of what’s modest and what’s not. Have you ever noticed that different Christians dress differently? It really all depends on where you go to worship. Let’s take a look at the difference between modest wear in Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational Christian churches.

Pentecostals

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When you walk into an Apostolic or Pentecostal church you may notice all of the women looking similar. Pentecostal Christian women wear long maxi skirts. They also wear long sleeves. Their idea of modesty includes keeping these body parts covered. Even In the hotter months, Pentecostal women and girls will wear a skirt that stops at the calves, or anywhere below the knee. When doing this, they must wear stockings to cover their exposed skin. There must also be a long sleeve shirt worn under all short sleeve tops. No makeup or jewelry is to be worn as well. These enhancements are seen as provocative. This style of dress must be maintained both in and out of the church.

 

Seventh Day Adventist

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Seventh Day Adventist women also do not wear makeup or jewelry because it is not considered modest to do so. Adornments are to be made in other ways.  The actual style of dress isn’t as strict as Pentecostals. Seventh Day Adventists are not required to wear long skirts and long sleeve shirts. Although dress codes may differ upon where you worship, for the most part being dressed in business casual attire and/or professional wear is seen as acceptable. These rules are to be followed both in and out of the church.

 

Non-Denominational Christians

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Non-Denominational Christians have a more open dressing policy. The main goal is to not expose nor purposefully accentuate the sexual parts of the body. This is really the only rule for obtaining modesty. When attending services, however, you must be covered. If a skirt or dress stops above or at the knee, a scarf should be placed over your lap to cover your bare knees. In most churches a scarf or cloth will be given to you if you do not have one. This dress code can vary depending on the church. You may also dress as casually as you like. There are no particular rules for dress outside of the church although it is important to represent your faith no matter where you are. Modesty in Non-Denominational churches is more about the heart than outer appearances.

5 Cleavage Cover-up Fixes for Modest Tops

5 Cleavage Cover-up Fixes for Modest Tops

Cropped Tank Top

Cropped Tank Top

Leafing through the clothing racks at the average department store, women who choose to dress modestly sometimes don’t find much to choose from. Tops are a particular source of trouble, because so many of the available shirts are designed with necklines that reveal too much cleavage.

But there’s good news – a low-cut top can be brought up to standard, so you don’t have to pass it by after all. If you’ve found a shirt that works in terms of its color, fabric, sleeve and hem design, there are plenty of ways to doctor the neckline, so it can become a real asset to your modest wardrobe.

 

 

Here are 5 neckline fixes to try:

    1. Head out to the thrift store and purchase a colorful tank top that harmonizes with the color of the top you want to adjust. Look for something that’s much too small – a children’s tank will do. Then cut out a triangle that can be sewn inside that plunging neckline. You can also attach this add-on coverage with snaps, to allow for different color combinations.
teenecks

Kosher Casual’s TeeNeck®

  1. For a more delicate look, a lace-edged triangle will do the trick. This will also dress up a casual top.
  2. If you don’t have the time or inclination to get out needle and thread, commercially-available neckline extenders known as “TeeNecks” are a great option. Pop these over your head, then wear the shirt you need to fix on top. TeeNecks give you the coverage you need, without adding bulk.
  3. Layering that low-cut top over another shirt is an obvious way to breach the gap between the fashion designer’s vision and your standards of modesty. If the weather’s cool, layering a full shirt can add cozy comfort. It not, choose a cropped top. Cropped tops are built to stay stably in place, while adding coverage only where it’s needed.
  4. Sometimes skimpy tank tops – the type you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing in public – can actually serve as a modesty solution. Try wearing a tank top backwards as an under-layer (after removing any tags that might show). This brings the neckline up to where you need it, and turns a low-cut shirt into the basis for an outfit you’ll be happy to wear.
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