Modest Dressing But Make It Fashion! A Trendsetter’s Style Guide

Base Layer

Layering is the oldest trick in the book! The first step in creating a modest, trendy look is to start with your base layer for the top half of your outfit. This is going to give you some coverage for your neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. The essential base layers you’ll need are:

• a turtleneck or mock neck tee or sweater

• a basic crew neck tee

• a crisp button-down shirt with a collar

Owning all three will give you plenty of versatility for styling for different occasions, seasons, etc. A mesh mock neck top will be suitable for summers while a thicker fabrication in the same silhouette will be great for layering during colder months. You can layer these pieces under dresses, crop tops, low-cut tops, sweaters, cardigans, and more! If you’re not a fan of layering, opt for a top with a high neckline with a chic pattern or cool design element like cowl neck draping, ruffles, etc.

Trendy Updates:

• Lettuce hem turtleneck and mock neck tops

• Bodysuit silhouette

• Pilgrim collar button-down blouse

**Pro tip! The secret to layering minus the bulkiness of 2 layers? Dickies! Our favorites are these 4-pack turtlenecks and 3-pack shirt collars. They work like magic and make layering so much more practical.

Tights and Socks

Don’t worry, you’re not going to be stuck wearing pants for the rest of your life! To add some modest fashion to the bottom half of your outfit, incorporate tights, stockings, and patterned socks. Not only will they add a layer of warmth, they also add a quirky, trendy, and collected element to your outfit depending on the style you choose. They look great paired with shorter skirts and dresses, and for pieces with longer hems, opt for pattered tights or socks for an unexpected stylish accent.

The denier of your tights will tell you how transparent and thick they are, so the higher the denier, the more opaque the tights are.

Accessories

Accessories are a great way to transform a whole outfit! Incorporating jewelry and fun trims or accents can modernize your modest fashion picks, especially if you tend to go for solid colors and textures in your outfits. For colder months, our top recommendation is statement earrings. Not only will earrings brighten up your face, they will also create a focal point in your look. Layering necklaces over layered clothing can feel bulky and clustered, so opt for earrings instead for a trendy and refined look. If your budget allows, rocking a designer piece is also a great way to stay on-trend. Incorporate accent colors like red for a trendy twist on a modest outfit through a handbag, hair accessory, or whatever your heart desires!

Play With Silhouettes

The best tip for modest fashion is truly in the styling. Here are some of the tried and true trendy styling combinations that are modest:

• Oversized with slim fit

If tight-fitting clothes aren’t your cup of tea, avoid them completely! Opt for slim fit, straight fit or loose-fit pieces instead. Pairing a slim fit trouser with an oversized chunky sweater is super chic and effortless. This is a timeless style rule and you’ll always look current when you follow this tip.

• Cropped, cute, and conservative

You don’t need to avoid crop tops completely. Rock these pieces with anything high-waisted. You can also add a layer underneath (e.g. mock neck top worn under a crop cardigan) for extra coverage. You’re still incorporating some trendy silhouettes without compromising your comfort level. Another style tip is to opt for cropped outerwear worn over a full-length piece. It gives the same illusion while also giving you full control of what you’re exposing. For colder months, choose outerwear like a cropped leather jacket and for warmer months, a cropped shacket or cardigan will work beautifully.

• Midi everything

Midi length pieces are going to be your best friends. Most midi skirts and dresses are undeniably fashion-forward and often times, a lot more practical than mini silhouettes. For the fall and winter, pair a midi skirt or dress with knee-high boots for a super chic high-fashion look.