by Kosher Casual Team | Jan 2, 2025 | Kosher Casual, Layering shirts, Layering Tops, Leggings, Long Sleeve Tops, modest clothing, Modest Fashion, Religious Modesty standards, Winter, Winter Layering, workout clothing
Winter is rearing its ugly head again this year and if there is anything I disliked (growing up in the Midwest) it’s the cold, a lot. I know I’m making the unavoidable sound so dire seeing as it rolls around every year yet I still dread it. It’s hard to look chic and sophisticated when you are wearing a ski hat, a bulky sweater, mittens and snow boots!
The thing is, I dress modestly and that includes no pants! Over the years I found it is truly is possible to stay warm in a skirt in the winter months – and still look stylish by layering! This winter there are plenty of different ways to layer your outfits to create some great on-trend looks. Whether you prefer light layers or heavy statement looks, there’s no end to the choices you have when it comes to creating a layered outfit this winter. Here are some of my go-to solutions:
Cropped Jackets over Long Layers:
Pair a cropped puffer or denim jacket over a long cardigan or tunic. This creates a visually interesting contrast of lengths and textures. Pair this with a pencil skirt either knee length or midi. Keep the waist area defined while staying modest and cozy.
Dresses over Pants:
Layer a cozy sweater dress over slim-fit trousers, leggings or fitted wide-leg knit pants. Add a belt to cinch the waist if needed. Fleece-lined leggings or tights under skirts or dresses add warmth without adding bulk.
Color Blocking:
Work a different take on color blocking by layering some colorful garments. Don’t shy away from bright hues this winter – adding splashes of color (even with black) to your look will liven up an outfit. Just remember to choose complementary colors and limit it to two or three hues
Oversized Scarves as Ponchos:
Use a large wool or cashmere scarf draped over your shoulders like a cape, securing it with a brooch or belt. These offer a cozy and stylish alternative to bulky coats, especially if you like a looser silhouette.
Skirted Leggings:
Opt for leggings with attached skirt overlays, paired with knee-high boots. Add a tailored coat for structure. This adds depth and keeps a sporty, cool aesthetic.
Layered Shirts and Sweaters:
Wear a long sleeve shell under a button-down shirt, then layer with a knit vest or oversized sweater. Keep the shirt’s collar and hem peeking out for dimension. The tailored layers and a smart combinations of textures can match your preferences for minimalism with a creative twist.
When looking at layering tips for winter, it always a good idea to do trial runs beforehand to make sure your outfits really work. These are just some ideas for you to consider when it comes to winter layering tips. Get excited about winter fashion and have a really “cool” winter!
by Kosher Casual Team | Oct 14, 2024 | Basic Tops, Color, Fashion Must-Haves, Layering Tops, Modest Business Casual, modest clothing, Neutrals, Uncategorized
Simplify Your Life with a Capsule Closet!
Do you agonize in the morning what to wear for that day? One simple solution might be a capsule closet, also known as a capsule wardrobe! This is a select collection of clothing items that are versatile, timeless, and well-coordinated as well modest! The idea is simple, your wardrobe has a curated selection of essential pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. The goal is to maximize versatility, alleviate stress, minimize clutter, and promote a more intentional approach to dressing.
The basic capsule closet usually begins with essential clothing items in neutral colors. Neutrals typically include colors like black, white, gray, beige, navy and muted tones. Additionally, neutral colors are known for their ability to adapt well to different seasons and occasions.
Black: Timeless and versatile, black can be dressed up or down for a variety of occasions. A basic modest black pencil skirt or the “Little Black Dress” are an essential for any capsule wardrobe
White: Clean and crisp, white goes with everything and adds a fresh touch to your outfits. White Layering tops and T-shirts are indispensable for casual outfits and the workplace dress code.
Gray: A neutral color that complements both dark and light tones, often called the “new” black. Heather Greys in deep or pale shades in tunics and skirts are a great alternative to plain grey.
Navy Blue: A classic alternative to black, navy is sophisticated and pairs well with many colors. Skirts or pants in navy or denim are timeless items that ensures longevity and remain relevant season after season.
Beige: A warm neutral that works well for all seasons and complements other colors. Often vilified as boring beige, beige can vary from almond to taupe to walnut and is a staple in any capsule closet. Cardigans, layering pieces and skirts in beige are a great option to white and can be used to create a range of outfits
To add personality and flair to your outfits, you can incorporate accessories in bold and vibrant colors. Here are some bright colored accessories to consider for a capsule closet: scarves, statement jewelry, handbags, belts and shoes. These will add lively pops of color with and encourages you to identify and refine your personal style. Mixing and matching neutrals with bold saturated colors helps define your wardrobe, avoiding unnecessary clutter and focusing on items you love that make you feel confident.
A capsule closet offers several other benefits that contribute to an efficient and sensible approach to personal style. Some key advantages are time-saving, reduced decision fatigue, space saving, a focus on your personal fashion taste, and an appreciation for favorite clothing items. With a curated selection of versatile pieces, getting dressed becomes quicker and easier. You spend less time pondering what to wear, allowing for a smooth morning routine.
What would you include in your capsule wardrobe?
by Kosher Casual Team | Sep 18, 2024 | cropped tops, Layering shirts, Layering Tops, modest clothing, Modest Clothing Accessories, Modest Fashion, tank top, Uncategorized
Practical and Creative Modesty Solutions!
Finding creative solutions for modesty can be a bit of a challenge. These key items extend the usability of your wardrobe across different seasons and occasions. Wearing modest clothing can help women feel more comfortable, confident and secure.
NECK
- Mock Neck and Turtlenecks: These tops provide full coverage and can be paired with various outfits.
- High-Neck Blouses: Elegant blouses with high necklines can be both stylish and modest.
- Dickies or detachable shirtfront or a small fabric insert worn to fill in the neckline. A dickey is a way to add versatility to a look, without adding bulk.
- Statement Necklaces: Layered necklaces can cover the collar bone a while adding a stylish touch.
CLEAVAGE
- Mock Tee-shirt collars or Sleeveless Crop Tops. Mock collars and sleeveless crops can give a polished and professional look without being too formal. They provide a layering without bulk.
- Camisoles or Tank Tops: Wear a camisole or tank top underneath your low-cut top. Choose opaque fabrics and higher necklines for fuller coverage.
- Scarves: Lightweight scarves can be draped or tied around the neck to cover the cleavage. Scarves not only cover cleavage, there a great way to add a pop of color and a bit of drama.
ARMS
- Three Quarter sleeve Layering Cropped Tops: Layering a cropped top over a longer top can provide coverage while adding a trendy element to the outfit.
- Detachable Sleeves: Sleeves that can be attached to sleeveless tops or dresses as needed.
- Boleros or Shrugs: Short jackets that cover the arms and can be worn over sleeveless dresses and tops. Covering the arms offers protection from the sun and can add depth and interest to an outfit.
TUMMY
- Bodysuits: A bodysuit with a modest neckline can provide full tummy coverage under skirts pants or sleeveless dresses. Bodysuits don’t “ride up” and provide a smooth or seamless finish.
- Peeking Underneath: Let a tube top or hippie peek out from underneath a cropped sweater or top, paired with a high-waisted skirt. This adds an extra layer of modesty and interest to your outfit.
- Layering Shell Top Layering tops can help make sheer or cropped garments suitable for more conservative gatherings or professional settings.
LEGS:
- Layering Dresses: You can pair shorter dresses with a longer layering dress underneath. Love that sleeveless tunic you saw online? Pair it with a layering dress for a modest complete outfit.
- Capri or Leggings: Wear leggings or tights under skirts and dresses for added coverage. Choose opaque, patterned, or textured styles to add interest.
- Layering Slips: These innovative slips can be found online and are essentially a fabric layer attached to the bottom of a regular slip.
Choosing modest clothing with these tips in mind can help enhance your natural shape and create a balanced, polished appearance. By incorporating these creative solutions into your wardrobe, you can achieve the desired coverage while maintaining a stylish and personalized look.
by admin | Sep 15, 2016 | cropped tops, Layering shirts, Layering Tops, long sleeved, Modest, modest clothing, Modest Fashion, 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:
- 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.
Kosher Casual’s TeeNeck®
- For a more delicate look, a lace-edged triangle will do the trick. This will also dress up a casual top.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 | Jul 22, 2014 | 3/4 sleeve, cropped tops, Layering Tops, long sleeved, Modest, modest clothing, Modest Clothing Accessories, Pencil Skirts, tank top, Uncategorized
We all have them. Those casual tops and bottoms that screamed “buy me” in the store, but – once purchased – never seem to make their way out of the closet. Dressing in layers is a great way to re-think your personal clothing inventory and make the most of what you have.
In addition to its value for rescuing under-used articles of clothing, layering is a great fashion strategy, allowing you to add interest, a dash of color, and create an entirely new look that is totally “you”.
Sleevies® 3/4 Sleeve Extensions
Why Not?
From the overly-generous scoop of a low-necked tee, to the skirt that rides up, to the clingy materials that highlight those love handles, there are lots of reasons that some clothes just can’t make it on their own. Rather than throwing out or donating, experiment with layered dressing strategies that accentuate each garment’s best, most attractive characteristic.
Let’s say you bought a shirt because the color goes perfectly with a hard-to-match skirt. If the shirt rides up, don’t give up! Save the situation by layering on a contrasting vest, or adding an underlayer. Many women swear by the “hippies” – a flexible layering solution that bridges the gap like a wide belt, providing coverage without adding bulk.
Layers can also come to the rescue when trying to accommodate our changing bodies. As the years go by, women who were once happy to step out in short sleeves may find that a little more coverage makes them feel more confident. Again, there’s no need for a new wardrobe. Layer your favorite tops over a sleek shell underlayer – or add “sleevie” extensions – to give your old garments a new lease on life. Along with underlayer shells (short-sleeved, long-sleeved and cropped), sleevies and hippies, other garments that can widen your layering options include:
- The cropped top or half tee– a midriff-exposing layer, meant to be worn under a longer shirt. Half tees can be found in a variety of decorative necklines that add interest to any outfit.
- Tee-necks – sometimes referred to as a “dickie”, these garments provide coverage under shirts that expose too much of the chest.
- The pencil skirt – adds length to a tunic dress or a too-short skirt. Available in almost every color, pencil skirts complement an outfit, without making too obvious a statement.
The Fashion Advantage
Layering is a great way to re-work what’s in your closet, but remember – layering is also a creative and fashionable way to dress! Choose a color scheme, and experiment with garments that you never wore together before. Shuffle up the shapes, so that each individual article of clothing can be seen. When layering, choose just one particularly interesting item to highlight – a cropped jacket, or a fabulous scarf – rather than having lots of loud layers competing for attention.
But most of all, have fun! Dressing in layers is an individual statement. So forget the rules, and enjoy building a do-it-yourself look of your very own.
