How to Dress Modestly and Attractively (Girls)

If you 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, "modest" and "fashionable" are not enemies. Decide what your standards of modesty are, and find trendy pieces that fit within those standards. Add layers to make things more modest, and adorn yourself with the right accessories to add flair to your look.

Steps

Mind Your Modesty Rules

Every girl and woman has her own standards for modesty. For some, religious beliefs may demand that the entire body remains covered when in public. For others, modesty may simply mean avoiding cleavage and minding hemlines. If your own standards are still in development, consider adopting a few basic guidelines as you build your wardrobe. It all depends on you nature.

1. Keep your necklines no lower than four fingers below the collarbone. Anything lower may begin showing cleavage.
2. Avoid sheer materials or fabrics that sculpt your body, like spandex. These are often considered too revealing, and onlookers may be able to see your bra through tops like these.
3. Draw attention to your face, not your bust. Keep details on the collar, not the chest.
4. Keep your back covered. Avoid halter or backless garments.
5. Keep your shoulders covered. Try to wear tank tops with some covering over them.
6. Mind the buttons on your shirt. Make sure that there are no gaps in between your buttons that could reveal the skin beneath.
7. Wear pants that are fitted, but not excessively tight in the seat or thigh. You should be able to pinch and pull a bit of the fabric away from your leg.
8. Keep panty lines hidden. Pantyhose, slips, and "thigh shapers" can help create a smooth appearance, if needed.
9. Choose shorts and skirts that extend past your arms. Hold your arms straight down at your sides. Keep your fingers extended, and make sure that your lower hems fall below the longest finger.
10. Opt for dresses that have sleeves or straps that are at least two inches thick. If you have anything thinner than that, throw a wrap or sweater over it.

Layers Are Your New Best Friend

You can wear that cute tank top or frilly camisole and still be modest. Knowing how to layer properly will give your wardrobe more versatility.

1. Wear a cute tank top beneath a nice sweater or jacket. A fitted tank top with a high crew neckline can look lovely when paired with a cardigan sweater or fitted denim jacket. Add style to your look by choosing one with a fun print or embellishments at the collar.
2. Disguise low necklines by placing a camisole or tank top beneath your shirt. If you fall in love with a top or dress that has a deep v-neck or low square neckline, do not despair. A plain camisole or one with feminine lace detailing at the neck can transform that garment into something that will work with your modest wardrobe. Many camisoles have adjustable straps, so you can extend the neckline of the camisole to cover up any cleavage or uncomfortable amounts of skin.
3. Stock up on cute outerwear pieces. Think shawls, denim jackets, leather jackets, cardigan sweaters, blazers, military-style jackets, and more. The more variety you have in your outerwear, the more looks you can create. Outerwear is great for layering over pieces with low-cut backs or skinny straps.
4. Keep your legs covered with skinny jeans and leggings. If you want to wear a dress or skirt, but worry that the hemline might be a bit too short, compensate by wearing something beneath it. Skinny jeans and leggings work well for many pieces. Be aware that many leggings may still look immodest, however, since they have a tendency to sculpt your body. To avoid this, only wear leggings with a skirt that covers your rear and most of your thighs. Do not wear super-short mini skirts that reveal everything the moment you sit down.

Avoid "Frumpy" Looks

Modest does not mean frumpy. Avoid clothing that does not flatter you, and aim for pieces that truly make you look your best.

1. Look for fitted pieces. Fitted pieces do not mean “skin tight,” but they will brush against the natural contours of your body. You do not have to completely hide your curves to still be modest, though. Fitted pieces that lightly conform to your curves will actually make you look clean-cut and well-put-together.
2. Try a knee-length skirt in a universally flattering cut. A-line skirts and pencil skirts are both timeless styles that look nice on most body types. Hemlines that fall at the knee, or thereabouts, are also the most universally flattering.
3. Wear figure-flattering jeans and trousers. Go for classics like boot-cuts or straight-legged pants. These tend to pull away just enough to allow your leg room to breathe, yet they still look flattering on most figures.
4. Try a variety of necklines. If high necklines are your thing, try mixing in a few mandarin collars with your turtlenecks and crew necks, or look for a v-neck that still sits high on your chest. Do not be afraid of low necklines, since many of these tops can be worn modestly simply by layering a camisole or tank top beneath them.
5. Play with sleeve styles. You have more options available than the simple t-shirt style short or long sleeve. Look for a few short-sleeve tops with cap or puff sleeves, or long-sleeve tops with kimono, lantern, or bell sleeves. Choosing a fashion-forward sleeve is a good way to stay modest while looking trendy.
6. Break out the nylon pantyhose. If your dress or skirt obeys most rules of modesty, but you still feel uncomfortable, cover your legs with nylon pantyhose. Plain nude or color styles work best, but you should avoid fishnets or nylons with patterns.
7. Elongate your leg with heels. If you have a knee-length skirt or maxi skirt, consider wearing heels to make your legs look a little longer. Longer legs look attractive, but they do not necessarily look immodest. The right heel will help you look confident and beautiful without looking sultry.

Add Personality with Accessories

You can have a lot of fun with your wardrobe and still look modest doing it. Accessories are a very simple way of accomplishing this task.

1. Try a variety of heels, fashion boots, and flats. Look for styles in bold colors, or those with some embellishment or decoration.
2. Stick with shoes that look classy over shoes that look sexy. Opt for closed-toe pumps or open-toe pumps over strappy styles.
3. Mind your heel height and thickness. Thin, extremely high heels are generally associated with sexiness. Consider “kitten heels” or other lower varieties to keep a ladylike appearance.
4. Consider a trendy fashion scarf. Scarves are in style, and they come in a variety of colors, patterns, and looks. They also have the added benefit of covering more skin at the base of your neck and top of your chest.
5. Don a hat. There is a broad range of fashionable hat styles, ranging from the fedora to the newsboy cap to the bucket hat. Look for one that suits the shape of your face and your personal taste. Buy a few in that style and wear them when you go out for an added, modest boost of style.
6. Wear colorful jewelry. Wear one key piece at a time, or coordinate multiple pieces at once to bring color to your entire ensemble. Let your imagination run free while selecting watches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. Stay away from non-traditional pieces, however, like lip rings, eyebrow rings, and tongue rings.
7. Sling a fashionable bag over your shoulder. Nearly any standard purse will be a modest accessory. Look for a medium size in a neutral color for the most versatility, or mix things up by carrying around a large shoulder bag in a bold color.

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 do not shift around too much.
• Do not 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 might be able to use them.
• Ask your mother for advice in selecting clothes. While you don't necessarily want to look middle-aged (yet!) she might have some ideas on timeless styles. (And don't forget that she was young once too.)

Things You’ll Need

• Tops
• Bottoms
• Dresses
• Scarves
• Hats
• Jewelry
• Purse
• Footwear