Trendy Modest Clothing: The Down-Low on Covering Up

Ten years ago, the phrase “trendy modest clothing” would have likely elicited thoughts of, Modest clothes? Aren’t those dowdy, oppressive outfits? And trendy? I don’t think so. 

But today’s fashion forward female is more inclined to nod and perk up to see which au courant designer or brand is in the spotlight and which It Girl supermodel is wearing the look. Halima Aden? Noor Tagouri?  

Modest but stylish outfits, ladies, are here. And modesty, it’s merging mainstream. 

What Is Modest Dressing? 

Modest dressing is rooted in religious observance, definitely. It is closely tied to Islam, of course, but also Orthodox Judaism and Christianity. 

But it has also gained appeal among secular women who simply like the style (What’s not to love?) or who would rather be noticed for what they’re wearing instead of what they aren’t. 

While religious observers have their own propriety prescriptions to follow, depending on their particular beliefs, modest dressing generally refers to wearing garments with full sleeves to the wrists, body coverage to the neck (read: no cleavage), and leg coverage to the ankles. Fabrics are opaque and the fit is loose, so as to not accentuate the body. 

Bonus for women everywhere: A looser fit lends itself to greater comfort. Bid adieu to constricting tailoring. Modesty welcomes the freedom to move. 

Luxury, and Disruption, in Layering, Prints, and Patterns

Trendy modest dressing is on the rise, sure, but adding coverage to your closet collection isn’t going to involve finding your nearest trendy modest clothing store. Such a search will come up empty, at least for now. 

However, more and more mainstream designers and brick-and-mortar brands are having a go at modest fashion. And besides, seek and you will find, among the places you shop already. Modest fashion is hiding in plain sight, and it’s fun to fabricate your all-over look. 

A delightful dimension of modesty is the opportunity to embrace rich textiles and luxurious fabrics. Incorporate patterns, prints, and colors. Mingle in layers.

“What we’re seeing now is that the boundaries are disappearing and there are no rules as long as the general expectation of modesty is met by the consumer’s demand,” says Alia Khan, founder of the Islamic Fashion Design Council in a Vogue article about the  modest fashion industry. “The rest of it is really a great playground for these designers to come up with some fabulous, disruptive ideas.” 

Modest dressing can include many commonly found garments:

• Scarfs
• Tunics
• Dresses or maxi-dresses
• Kaftans
• Long skirts
• Capes or long, loose jackets and sweaters
• Blouses
• Arm sleeves 

Celebrate Alta 8

At  Alta 8, maker of fashion arm sleeves, we celebrate modest fashion by providing women with an easy, convenient way to add arm coverage to just about any ensemble. There’s then the option to easily remove your sleeves when appropriate. 

Alta 8  arm sleeves provide coverage from the wrist to the top of the arm. Available in a variety of colors and textures, our arm sleeves are lightweight and come in their own bag for safe travel. They’re perfect for layering, and for crafting your signature style. More is more, we like to say. 

The Alta 8 philosophy also embraces  ethical, sustainable fashion. We use dead-stock material and make our sleeves with the intention that they transcend trends. You’ll always need sleeves after all. 

Modest Stylish Clothing: The New Normal

The modest market is already a multi-billion-dollar industry, and it’s growing, quickly. By 2023, Muslim fashion is forecasted to reach $361 billion a year,  said a recent Vice article. 

Asmodest stylish clothing continues to evolve and become more weaved into the international couture conversation, expect exposing less to keep gaining exposure.