Nothing skin-tight, nothing see-through, and nothing with a neckline that dips so low one can see your belly button. Those are the simplified rules of how to be modest and fashionable at the same time. Years ago, it was very difficult to find many pieces that meet all three of these rules at the same time. However, modest fashion is on the rise today, so you will be able to show off your personal style without revealing your body. In fact, such dress seems to be in trend now, as you can see from some shows, like Jakarta Fashion Week. From primarily Muslim dress, modest fashion made its way to the Paris runways. Today some of the most famous designers work with this style, which gives girls who want to remain modest, a chance to wear haute couture and look stylish and elegant.
3 Steps to Being Modest and Fashionable at the Same Time
1. Define ‘modest fashion’ for yourself
It’s essential to understand that there is no single standard of ‘modest fashion’. There isn’t even a single standard of ‘modesty’. Therefore, you should always start by defining your personal boundaries.
Are they dictated by religion?
Muslim fashion is one of the main trendsetters for modern modest dress. That’s because this religion has rather strict rules over what a girl can wear. However, while requiring modesty, it doesn’t restrict women from being beautiful and elegant.
The pieces created by designers for modest Muslim fashion shows are fast capturing the hearts of women all over, reports Gulf News. This kind of fashion calls for buying fashionable hijabs, which are so beautiful, they become a stylish accessory as well as a sign of worship. Muslim modest fashion clothes aren’t revealing, yet they are elegant and enhance the grace of the woman wearing them. Therefore, it’s no wonder that it’s not only Muslim girls who are charmed by these amazing outfits.
Many people choose to dress modestly simply because they want to. And designers today understand this. Modest fashion might have turned into a hot topic on modern runways due to the Muslim women who wanted to look stylish yet abide by the rules of their religion. However, now this trend is taking over the world. Dressing modestly is a personal choice and should be defined by your personal style. Set the limits for what you deem appropriate and work from this. Use Muslim fashion as your inspiration because this is where the trend for modesty gets most recognition at the moment.
2. Wear layers
You can dress modestly and still wear pieces made from beautiful weightless see-through fabrics or something that hugs your figure snugly. The trick is to add a few layers that will cover everything you want to see covered. For example, you can wear leggings to show off your shapely legs. But wear a light mid-thigh or even knee-length (depending on your personal requirements) tunic over them to keep your body well-covered.
You can create a multitude of interesting looks that are modest yet stylish and even sexy by simply combining different pieces of clothing. And don’t forget about the power of fabrics. A modest cotton sundress can look elegant and even seductive if you wear a flowing chiffon blouse over it. Maxi skirts and dresses made from light fabrics that aren’t see-through yet flow over your body sensually can turn a girl into a vision of a temptress. Yet, with no wind to get the fabric flowing, they will look most modestly.
3. Enhance your style with accessories
Modest fashion is about not showing much skin and/or covering some parts of your body. However, style is about much more than the clothing you wear and how it shows off your figure.
Accessories can help you create a stylish image that will either show off your inner fashionista or enhance your religious affiliation. Note that those aren’t mutually exclusive. For example, the hijabs mentioned above are stylish by definition and can be both the symbol of one’s faith and a beautiful accessory in Muslim fashion.
You also have headwear, sunglasses, and jewelry to work with when you want to make your modest wardrobe more stylish. In fact, statement accessories are in trend today. And you should wear those with modest outfits by definition. This is the best way to bring out the piece and make it truly shine.
As you can see, modest fashion is extremely flexible. You can cover your body and still look as if you’ve just stepped off a Paris runway. In fact, many fashion shows today feature such clothing, so shopping for modest pieces is easy.