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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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  1. 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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4

Throw on leggings under skirts and dresses.

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7

Play with sleeve styles.

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13

Accessorize with jewelry.

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  1. 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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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can you look modern and modest?
    Natalie Tincher
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    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.
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can you dress modestly even if you're not religious?
    Natalie Tincher
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    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.
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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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      Article Summary X

      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

      • Anonymous

        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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