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1Layer a cute cardigan on top.
2Go for midi and maxi skirts.
3Try on an A-line dress.
4Throw on leggings under skirts and dresses.
5Put on a sophisticated turtleneck.
6Cover your neckline with camisoles or tank tops.
7Play with sleeve styles.
8Pair your look with kitten heels or flats.
9Wrap on a trendy scarf.
10Pick out a cute hat.
11Add on hair accessories.
12Stay chic with sunglasses.
13Accessorize with jewelry.
14Complete your look with a fashionable bag.
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Article Summary
Co-authored byNatalie Tincherand Emily Liu
Last Updated: September 17, 2023Approved
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If you’ve recently decided to start dressing more modestly, you may feel a little lost about how to do so while still looking fashionable. Contrary to popular belief, though, "modest" and "fashionable" aren’t enemies! Decide what your standards of modesty are, and find trendy pieces that fit within those standards. Once you’ve established your personal guidelines, you’ll be able to start building an incredible wardrobe that’s perfect just for you!
1
Layer a cute cardigan on top.
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Make your outfit extra cute with a cardigan. Cardigans are great for any kind of season and setting, and you can wear them over dresses, skirts, and pants—whatever suits you! They also come in a variety of colors, lengths, and materials, making them super easy to customize for your outfit.[1]
- A thigh or knee-length chunky cardigan can keep you warm in the winter, and a short-sleeve cardigan over a floral skirt could be perfect for spring.
- You could layer a black cardigan over a dress for a formal event, or choose a fun, colorful patterned cardigan to wear with your favorite jeans.
- Outerwear is versatile in general for layering, covering up, and making your outfit more chic, so stock up on cute pieces like shawls, leather jackets, sweaters, blazers, and more!
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2
Go for midi and maxi skirts.
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Midi and maxi skirts and dresses are super stylish and elegant. If you don’t want to show too much of your legs, shopping by hem length and choosing longer styles is a great way to achieve the look you want and be fashionable at the same time. You can easily dress them up or down and choose the right materials for different seasons.[2]
- For instance, you could dress down your skirt by wearing a graphic tee as a top.
3
Try on an A-line dress.
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The A-line cut is universally flattering. It brings your waist out and then flares out, giving you a feminine shape. They’re not super difficult to find, so you can easily customize and keep it modest while still looking great and elegant in this silhouette.[3]
- For instance, you could pick out an A-line dress with a floral pattern and long sleeves.
- You could also cinch in your waist with a chic belt.
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4
Throw on leggings under skirts and dresses.
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Leggings help you cover up and add extra style to an outfit. If your legs are cold or you don’t want to show skin while wearing a skirt or dress, leggings provide the perfect way to stay while giving you another route to bring out your personal style with colors and patterns. They can go with pretty much any length or style of skirt!
- Avoid wearing leggings alone, as this can be seen as too tight and immodest.
- Tights or pantyhose definitely work for leg coverage, too, but they can be uncomfortable or made of sheer material.
5
Put on a sophisticated turtleneck.
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Turtlenecks are instant style boosts. Elegant and versatile, turtlenecks keep you warm and covered in colder weather, and are also super comfortable. You don’t have to create an elaborate outfit—just pair them with jeans or a skirt or even overalls to create a simple but chic ensemble.[4]
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6
Cover your neckline with camisoles or tank tops.
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Make a top more modest by layering a camisole or tank top underneath! There’s no need to fear V-necks or other low-cut necklines if you really love a piece, since adding an undershirt layer can help cover cleavage and hide other revealing areas.
- You can choose tank tops with colors or patterns for an extra style boost.
- A camisole with feminine lace detailing at the neck can easily add elegance to your look.
7
Play with sleeve styles.
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You can easily mix up a basic t-shirt or long sleeve with a fashionable sleeve. Choosing a fashion-forward sleeve is a great way to stay modest and covered up while also looking trendy: many sleeve styles provide skin coverage and add flair at the same time; for instance, look for short-sleeve tops with cap or puff sleeves, or long-sleeve tops with kimono, lantern, or bell sleeves.[5]
- Different sleeve styles cover different amounts of your arm, so you can choose the styles that suit you best!
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8
Pair your look with kitten heels or flats.
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Stick with classy shoes over sexy ones! Mind your heel height; thin, extremely high heels can be associated with sexiness, so consider varieties like kitten heels or low heel pumps to keep up a modest appearance. If you want to go more casual, a cute pair of sneakers or boots can also be a stylish and versatile addition to your outfit.[6]
- For instance, you could wear chunky white sneakers with a maxi skirt.
9
Wrap on a trendy scarf.
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Scarves can add an extra boost of style. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and looks, meaning that you can customize the look however you want. They also have the added benefit of covering more skin at the base of your neck and top of your chest.
- If you have a larger bust, scarves can cover revealing areas and allow you to wear more pieces.
- You can wear scarves year-round—just pick out lighter materials in hotter weather.
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10
Pick out a cute hat.
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A fashionable hat instantly brings flair to your outfit. Pick from a broad range of fashionable styles, from sun hats to berets to bucket hats, and more! Look for one that suits the shape of your face and your personal taste.[7]
- Try on a cute, floppy straw sun hat in the summer, or a cozy, colorful beanie in the fall!
11
Add on hair accessories.
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12
Stay chic with sunglasses.
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13
Accessorize with jewelry.
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The right jewelry can really accent your look. Try wearing pieces that will match your wardrobe best—for instance, bring in a bright yellow or red if your clothes tend to be dark and muted—or pick out a versatile silver or gold necklace that goes with many of your cardigans and dresses.[10]
- If you want to keep your jewelry understated or you’re not sure where to start, try wearing one key piece at a time first and seeing how it looks before adding on more. In time, you can work up to coordinating multiple pieces at once!
- You could opt for a more fun and colorful look, like wearing colorful bracelets and chunky earrings. Or you could try an elegant look with a classic pearl necklace and delicate gold studs.
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14
Complete your look with a fashionable bag.
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Handbags can be the perfect finishing touch for your outfit. You can go with something classic and versatile, like a leather bag in a neutral color, or mix things up with a large shoulder bag or patterned clutch.[11]
- Try out different styles—maybe you’ll like a clutch or tote bag best, or even a mini backpack!
Expert Q&A
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Question
How can you look modern and modest?
Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe SpecialistNatalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.
Some popular fashion trends are long-sleeve maxi dresses; wearing T-shirts under slip dresses; turtlenecks; high-neck, long-sleeve blouses; midi-skirts; oversized button-down shirts; one-piece swimsuits, and knee-length walking shorts.
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Question
Can you dress modestly even if you're not religious?
Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe SpecialistNatalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.
Yes! Modest fashion has become more prevalent and widespread in recent years. While modest style was generally associated with specific religious requirements in the past, it has now moved into the mainstream.
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As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
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Question
Why should I avoid halter tops and backless garments?
Community Answer
If you dress modestly, you should try to cover plenty of skin. Halter tops and backless garments also tend to be associated with sexiness, which isn't the look you want to achieve if you are trying to dress modestly.
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Tips
Try your clothes on in front of a full-length mirror. Bend over, sit down, jump, and wave your arms around. Make sure your clothes look the way you want no matter how you move.
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Don’t throw out old clothes just because they seem immodest. Look for ways to reuse them by layering, or donate them to second-hand stores so someone else can use them.
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If you’re looking for ways to get inspired, check out sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Youtube, which contain tons of outfit ideas and fashion advice! You could even ask your mother for input—she might have great ideas about timeless styles.
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References
- ↑ https://www.belletag.com/fashion/style-guide/modest-dressing
- ↑ https://www.rocksolidfaith.ca/how-to-dress-modest-but-cute/
- ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/universally-slimming-piece/slide3
- ↑ https://www.belletag.com/fashion/style-guide/modest-dressing
- ↑ https://www.kresent.com/types-of-sleeves-for-dresses/
- ↑ https://www.themodestmomblog.com/casual-shoes-that-go-with-skirts/
- ↑ https://eastendtastemagazine.com/6-must-have-accessories-to-elevate-your-style/
- ↑ https://karenfayestyle.com/2020/04/07/how-to-elevate-your-basic-outfit-with-accessories/
- ↑ https://karenfayestyle.com/2020/04/07/how-to-elevate-your-basic-outfit-with-accessories/
More References (2)
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Natalie Tincher and by wikiHow staff writer, Emily Liu. Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News. This article has been viewed 216,980 times.
11 votes - 91%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: September 17, 2023
Views:216,980
Categories: Fashion Styles
Article SummaryX
Dressing modestly as a girl doesn’t mean you can’t still be attractive and fashionable! Use layers to your advantage, like wearing a cute tank top beneath a nice cardigan. If you have a top with a low neckline, you can layer a camisole underneath to keep it modest. Similarly, if you have a dress or skirt that’s a bit too short, try layering it with leggings or skinny jeans. Or, you could wear nylon pantyhose underneath. You’ll probably want to avoid tight materials like spandex, since these can be revealing. Sleeveless tops and backless tops may also show too much skin for your liking. To learn how to accessorize modestly, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
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Nov 6, 2016
"The length of the dresses and skirts, the covering of the shoulders and the covering of the chest really stood out..." more
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