Modest Clothing 101: Everything You Need To Know About It

If you are a fashionista who frequents fashion columns and blogs, you have probably noticed a rise in modest clothing options, trends, and discussions. Whether you are a modest fashionista yourself and want to know more about this sub-genre of fashion or are clueless and want a deeper understanding of what modest fashion is, we have got you covered. Here’s our take on modest fashion and everything that comes with it:

What is Modest Fashion?

If you Google ‘Modest Fashion’, you will find that most of the images that pop up will feature Hijabs, thus leading you to believe that modest clothing, by definition, has religious undertones. Although there are a lot of hijabi fashionistas who dress modestly, modest fashion, in its core, stems from a woman’s personal choice. If we had to give a definition for modest clothing, we’d say that it is when a woman consciously decides to dress in a way that neither reveals most of her body nor accentuates it. She feels empowered with this form of clothing and integrates it into her life. 

Modest fashion transcends religion, ethnicity, race, or location. You will find plenty of women around the globe who find loose-fitting garments to be more preferable. However, loose-fitting does not mean ill-fitting or baggy. Modest clothing catered to women can be fitted as well, but they are not skin tight to the point where you are very aware of the shape of your body in the clothes you are wearing.

How to Dress Modestly

Modest Fashion is not a passing trend, it makes a big part of the Fashion world. So the same trends that come and go in the Fashion world also come and go in this segment of Modest Fashion. We have a couple of blog posts for the modest fashionistas who want the option of trendy modest clothing here, here and here.

Modest fashion can be whatever you want it to be: clean and minimal or vibrant and colorful and everything in between! It is a manifestation of your personal style. Being modest does not limit you in any way from expressing who you are with your outfit choices. So, be limitless, be you!

Here are a couple of tips on how to be fashionable without sacrificing your preference for modesty:

• Develop your style preference. Get to know the looks that you like on other women, whether it be the lady you see on the streets while on your morning coffee run or your favorite TV show character. Realise what you like about those looks: the colour palette, the material, the texture, the patterns, etc. Then adapt that look and make it into your own. Balance your comfort and your sense of style to pull it together into an outfit. 

• Although there are specific modest clothing brands, if you don’t have access to them, you can still rock your modest sense of style through other brands that are available to you. There are a couple of elements that are usually found in most modest clothing styles, such as scarves, maxi skirts, wide-legged pants, loose blouses, full-sleeved shirts, etc. Most clothing stores usually carry these options even though they might not be advertised as ‘modest’. Don’t be scared to search through them for pieces that you might like and could wear. 

• Adapt your clothes according to the weather. The fabric you choose to wear plays a huge role in this one. In summer, go for lighter fabrics such as cotton, silk, satin, etc. For winter, opt for heavier ones such as tweed, wool, velvet, etc. 

• Use your accessories to help you stay stylish. Your accessories can be a big help too! Cosy up in winter with cashmere scarves and wool gloves. If the weather is hot, stay modest yet cool with silk scarves that prevent your head from heating up from the harsh sun rays. We also have a range of arm sleeves that can turn your short-sleeved tops and dresses into a more modest option. They can also keep you warm in winter and give you sun protection during the summer months!

• Layer, layer, layer! Use the cute pieces that you love but are not exactly modest in your outfit by layering them with something else. Wear the off-shoulder dress with a shrug, wear the cropped sweater over a shirt, wear the spaghetti-strap top over a turtleneck. Experiment with the pieces you already have and try new combinations. Make them work for you! 

Runway Presence of Modest Clothes

As fashion trends and fads evolve, we are currently seeing runway collections moving more towards straight silhouettes and creative layering choices. The trend of having gender-neutral, or androgynous, clothing has also helped to develop this look more. Since mainstream brands and luxury brands alike are leaning towards boxier and oversized silhouettes, modest fashionistas have even more choices available to them today. 

Major brands, like Asos, have also realized the potential of the modest fashion industry and have come up with their own modest lines as well. Not only do modest fashionistas have more options available to them but they have plenty of influencers to take fashion inspiration from too! Fashion influencers like Rawdah Mohamed, Leena Ha, Ghizlan Guenez, and many others are rocking their modest style and the world is definitely taking notes. If starring on a Vogue cover does not show the rising acknowledgment towards modest fashion from the mainstream fashion industry, we don’t know what does!

The modest community has shown that Fashion does not need to have a ‘bare it all’ element in order to be trendy. Modesty means different things to different people, some feel empowered by it while others do not. However, no matter which side of the spectrum you fall on, the Fashion industry is truly starting to be more inclusive and it is showing. We are starting to see clothing pieces that are geared towards all women and their personal preferences and style. We could not be happier about this! Here's to looking fabulous while still rocking modest clothing!