A Guide for Teen Girls on Dressing Modestly

Modern, trendy, and chic ways for teen girls to dress modestly

Co-authored by Elle Monus and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: June 29, 2024 Fact Checked

If you’re a teenage girl who dresses modestly, you may struggle to find a good balance between modest and trendy clothing. Luckily, there are a ton of ways you can dress in cute styles without compromising your modesty. These days, some modest pieces, like maxi skirts, are even trendy with those who don’t intentionally dress conservatively! In this article, we’ll give you all the best tips on how to stay on top of fashion trends while dressing modestly as a teenage girl.

Things You Should Know

To dress modestly, avoid form-fitting clothing and opt for loose items like maxi skirts or palazzo pants.
Layer low-necked tops with camisoles and pair short dresses with leggings for extra coverage.
Incorporate trendy colors, patterns, and fabrics into your wardrobe to stay on-trend while dressing modestly.

1

Define what modesty means for you.

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Determine what you’re comfortable wearing. Modesty means something different for everyone. Some people prefer to keep their arms and legs completely covered while others are okay with short sleeves and bare calves. Whether you dress modestly for religious reasons or because you simply like the style, it’s up to you to determine what you consider modest.
- It’s okay to have different opinions from friends and family. Don’t let anyone try to force their beliefs about modesty on you, and don’t try to force yours on them, either. Remember that you’re both doing what feels right and comfortable for you.
- A good rule of thumb is if you doubt a certain item or outfit is modest, don’t wear it. Trust your instincts—you know what you’re comfortable with.
- If you’re struggling, reach out to a parent, friend, or religious leader for advice.

2

Layer your outfits.

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Get extra coverage by wearing multiple pieces at once. If you’ve just started to dress modestly, there’s no need to get a whole new wardrobe. Odds are, you can still wear most of your less modest clothes by wearing another piece over or under it. For example, wear a camisole under a low-necked shirt to cover your chest. By layering your clothes , you can still wear trendy pieces without sacrificing your modesty. ^{[1]
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- If you have a dress with a low neckline, throw a cute sweater on top of it. This makes the dress look like a skirt, and you can create several different outfits by wearing different tops with it. Another option is to wear a loose T-shirt and tie it up.
- If you don’t want to wear a cami under your low-necked shirt, wear it backward! Usually, the neckline is higher on the back of a shirt, and then you can add a cute jacket or sweater on top. No one will know the difference!

3

Opt for loose-fitting clothes.

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Avoid clothing that’s too tight or form-fitting. Materials like Spandex and other stretchy fabrics tend to be very form-fitting, so you might want to avoid them depending on your personal modesty level. When buying new clothes, be sure to try them on first to make sure they’re loose and breathable. ^{[2]
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- If you do wear Spandex or other leggings, make sure your underwear lines don’t show, and wear a longer shirt, tunic, or dress on top.
- Try pairing a fitted shirt with a flowy skirt or vice versa. This gives your outfit shape without being immodest. Just remember, fitted doesn’t mean tight! Avoid clothes that cling to your body. ^{[3]
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- Looser clothes are also great for staying cool in the summer! ^{[4]
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4

Wear midi or maxi skirts.

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Choose longer skirts for a fashionable and feminine look. These days, midi and maxi skirts are popular even with those who don’t intentionally dress modestly. Go for a solid color for a more elegant look or choose a fun pattern for a bold and trendy ensemble. Add a soft sweater in the winter or keep it casual with a graphic tee. ^{[5]
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- Wear a knee-length skirt that flatters your height. If you’re on the shorter side, try one that falls right at your knee, and if you’re taller, opt for one that falls at your mid-calf.

5

Wear wide-legged pants.

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Wide-legged pants are comfortable, modest, and stylish. Your pants don’t have to be skin-tight to look nice. Palazzo pants can be dressed up or down, and they flatter your waist without being too form-fitting. Wide-legged jeans are also great for a casual look. Wear wide-legged pants to school to feel assured you’ll be covered and comfortable all day.
- If you want to wear white pants but they’re a bit see-through, add some white or skin-colored leggings underneath. ^{[6]
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- Palazzo pants are particularly flattering if you’re tall.
- If you find the perfect pair of wide-legged jeans but discover they have rips, use iron-on denim patches to rock the distressed look without sacrificing your modesty. ^{[7]
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6

Wear leggings under shorter skirts and dresses.

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Add shorts or leggings without sacrificing style. Just because you dress modestly doesn’t mean you always have to wear maxi skirts. Some shorter dresses and skirts are okay, too. Just play it safe by wearing leggings or shorts for extra coverage. ^{[8]
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- If you’re unsure if your dress or skirt is too short, stand in front of your mirror and bend at the hips. If you can see your underwear, wear shorts or leggings underneath.
- Leggings are also great for wearing skirts in the winter . Keep your legs warm while still looking fashionable.
- If your dress is a solid color, consider wearing patterned leggings to add a unique flair to your outfit.
- You can also wear tights or pantyhose with your skirt or dress.

7

Choose high waistlines.

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Pants and skirts with high waistlines help cover your midriff. Sometimes your shirt might ride up no matter how modest it is, and wearing high-waisted jeans or other pants can help you avoid showing your stomach or back. They also make it harder to accidentally flash your underwear. When shopping, look for pants that specify a high waist.
- Mom jeans are a trendy, high-waisted option that can be dressed up or dressed down.
- If you’re wearing a high-waisted skirt , try pairing it with a tucked-in blouse or dress shirt.

8

Avoid cropped or low-neck shirts.

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Crop tops are trendy, but they are avoidable. For warm weather, rock a cute graphic tee or a nice button-down. When it’s cold out, choose a fashionable turtleneck or cardigan. If you have trouble finding conservative tops in-store, search for modest clothing stores online! ^{[9]
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- It is possible to wear a crop top in a modest way, however. Try pairing one with high-waisted shorts or mom jeans to get more coverage while staying up-to-date with current trends.
- As a teen, you might still be growing. Make sure your old shirts still fit correctly by reaching straight up into the air. If your shirt hem doesn’t show your midriff, you’re golden.

9

Get some fashionable boots.

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Boots help cover your legs. If you prefer to have your legs completely covered, it can be frustrating when pants or skirts are just slightly too short. If your pants are cropped, throw on some cute ankle boots to cover that sliver of exposed skin. If you have a midi dress or skirt, add some knee-high boots to complete the look. ^{[10]
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- You can also lengthen short jeans by adding a fun trim to the bottom or adjusting the hem .

10

Avoid tall heels.

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Wear flats, sneakers, or kitten heels. Really tall high heels like stilettos aren’t very modest, but luckily there are a ton of other cute and comfortable footwear options. If you want to wear heels, go for low, wide styles like kitten heels or wedges. Wear flats or nice sandals to dress up your outfit, or wear cute sneakers for a casual look. ^{[11]
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- One popular look is to wear chunky white sneakers with maxi skirts.
- Vans and Converse are 2 popular sneaker brands, and they can be paired with almost anything.

11

Wear cute accessories.

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Accessories can make or break an outfit. If you feel like your modest outfit falls a bit flat, add some jewelry, a scarf, or a hat. Scarves can add a pop of color while providing extra coverage around your neck and chest, and a trendy hat adds personality to your outfit. Choose a dainty silver or gold necklace for an understated look, or opt for a bold look with colorful bracelets. ^{[12]
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- You can rock any style of hat with a modest wardrobe. Wide-brimmed hats are a popular choice, but other options include beanies, berets, and even bucket hats.
- Hair accessories also give your outfit a little boost. Wear a trendy scrunchie, a nice headband, or some cute hair clips.
- Carry a trendy tote bag to show off even more of your style. You can even make one of your own !

12

Keep your makeup light and minimal.

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Avoid using bright colors and heavy makeup products. Some modest teenage girls may choose to wear no makeup at all, but there’s no harm in trying it out. In fact, wearing makeup can make you look polished and help hide any blemishes you may be insecure about. Keep it simple with some mascara, light eyeshadow and blush, and a bit of lip gloss or lip balm. ^{[13]
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- Just like with clothing, you may feel comfortable wearing more or less makeup than someone else who dresses modestly. Just remember that it’s a personal choice and no one is necessarily right or wrong.

13

Put a modest spin on current trends.

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Stay up-to-date on fashion trends . Pay attention to which colors, patterns, and fabrics are popular. Enjoy your favorite trends by incorporating them into your personal style. For example, if sage green is really popular, look for a sage green maxi dress or cardigan. ^{[14]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I tell if jeans are skinny?

Community Answer

Try looking at the bottoms of the legs of the jeans. If they hug tightly, they are skinny jeans.

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It keeps getting harder to find modest dresses and pants. What are your suggestions?

Graeme Matsuo

Community Answer

Learning to sew or looking at vintage options are both interesting and cost-effective ways to help with this.

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Everyone else is wearing slutty things and I don't want to be an outcast. What should I do?

Community Answer

If everyone else stuck their head in a fire, does that mean you should do the same? Try standing out by following your own instincts. Wear the clothes you feel good, secure and happy wearing. You might even start a trend with others who value your strength of purpose.

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Tips

When shopping for modest clothing in-store, look at the shirts and sweaters that are folded and displayed on a table. They tend to be more modest than the clothing that's hung up.

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Don't wear a white garment with white underwear. The white looks more transparent in some areas, so everyone can see your bra or slip underneath it.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Just because you’re dressing modestly doesn’t mean you can’t be a fashionista! Find colors that complement each other, like wearing a vibrant shirt with more toned-down pants. Skirts and dresses are nice to wear for certain events at school too!

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Warnings

Don't look down on others if they decide not to dress as modestly as you. This does not make them any less worthy of respect.

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A Guide for Teen Girls on Dressing Modestly

Things You Should Know

Steps

Define what modesty means for you.

Layer your outfits.

Opt for loose-fitting clothes.

Wear midi or maxi skirts.

Wear wide-legged pants.

Wear leggings under shorter skirts and dresses.

Choose high waistlines.

Avoid cropped or low-neck shirts.

Get some fashionable boots.

Avoid tall heels.

Wear cute accessories.

Keep your makeup light and minimal.

Put a modest spin on current trends.

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

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Expert Interview

References

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