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Modest Mamas... How do you start?

post #1 of 33
9/24/09 at 9:36pm
Thread Starter 
This might seem like a very weird question... but how did you guys start the transition to dressing more modest? Right now I mainly dress in trouser/looser fitting jeans and t shirts simply because that is what I have. I am not very comfortable with it... I would rather wear longer tunic tops over my pants or below the knee skirts. As dumb as it sounds I don't want to look less stylish or stick out or something... I dunno if this even makes sense. Just looking for advice!!!
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post #2 of 33
9/24/09 at 9:57pm
Tunic tops are pretty easy to find. I noticed them coming into style a while ago, very long tops with empire-waist styling. By now there are probably a lot in thrift stores.
post #3 of 33
9/24/09 at 10:07pm
I am a hijabi. I love to layer. I often wear a knee length dress with a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt underneath. I also really like maxi dresses with a long sleeve shirt or a sweater.

I am actually trasitioning back to wearing hijab now, so what I have done is shopped a lot of thrift stores and sales racks. Also, look through your clothes and see what you can add to to make it more modest then go from there.
post #4 of 33
9/25/09 at 5:41am
I think it starts with a desire to be modest! And you seem to be right there, at the right place. I dont fuss about clothes tbh, bc in my faith Christ taught not to worry or fret about what to wear. For me it started with a keen awareness that I did NOT want to show my body off. I still wear swimsuits and stuff but feel less and less comfortable. Just not found anything appropriate or affordable yet, so I dont go swimming often. As far as clothes, I wear what I have but it just isnt trashy, no cleavage. I even wear low rider jeans *gasp*, but I have a belt, and wear shirts that cover my butt, yk? I started with a new awareness that my body isnt for showing off, then I moved onto what my God teaches on the subject, then I let Him lead me in what to purchase. Then I dont worry about it much.
post #5 of 33
9/25/09 at 9:52am
If you can buy a couple of new things that might help. Start with what you have, and dress as modestly as you can. One by one, as you can afford it/find them, you can replace items that don't work for you. Maybe invest in something that will work with a lot of what you have, like a longer cardigan or sweater to go over your t-shirts now that it's fall.
post #6 of 33
9/25/09 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys I am hoping to be able to buy a few new things soon.. it is just so hard having nothing to wear that I am truly comfortable in..
post #7 of 33
9/25/09 at 2:16pm
As an easy transition, it might be easier for the time being to pick up a few crew necked t-shirts in a size too big, so that they're looser, and an open cardigan. I think by getting flowy shirts, avoiding low-cut shirts and making sure shirts are long enough, you avoid being immodest while still being stylish.

Generally speaking, I dress pretty modestly in my day to day life. I'm not perfect with it, I do have some low-cut/short things, but I rarely wear them. When I'm running errands, working and going to school, I much prefer being comfortable and not having to worry about wardrobe malfunctions! Even we young folk are on the modest train these days
post #8 of 33
9/25/09 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
I really want some 3/4 sleeve tunic tops... old navy has some that are meant to be dresses that seem like theyd be cute. I wish I could sew!!
post #9 of 33
9/25/09 at 10:11pm
For me, it was a very gradual process. When I bought new clothes, I just chose more modest things... tunics, 3/4 or long sleeves, less transparent, etc. As my wardrobe increased, I just wore more modest things... and either let my less modest stuff be for at home or gave it away to the goodwill.

You can make your current things more modest.... like wearing a long-sleeve close-fitting t-shirt under short-sleeve shirts or topping them with a cardigan or loose shirt. You can add fabric to a large slit in a skirt or even layer a short skirt over a longer one.

You can look stylish and modest... and there are some blogs out there that can help as well. I'm Muslim... so my definition of modest may be more extreme then yours, but I really like Hijab Style.
post #10 of 33
9/25/09 at 10:25pm
If you need ideas, you can always find a local university, look up their Muslim Student's Association and show up at a public event and check out what the university girls are wearing. They tend to be geniuses in wearing trendy stuff off the rack, adjusted for modesty, not usually involving sewing.
post #11 of 33
9/25/09 at 11:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by umsami View Post
For me, it was a very gradual process. When I bought new clothes, I just chose more modest things... tunics, 3/4 or long sleeves, less transparent, etc. As my wardrobe increased, I just wore more modest things... and either let my less modest stuff be for at home or gave it away to the goodwill.

You can make your current things more modest.... like wearing a long-sleeve close-fitting t-shirt under short-sleeve shirts or topping them with a cardigan or loose shirt. You can add fabric to a large slit in a skirt or even layer a short skirt over a longer one.

You can look stylish and modest... and there are some blogs out there that can help as well. I'm Muslim... so my definition of modest may be more extreme then yours, but I really like Hijab Style.
Beautiful clothes! I'm not Muslim, but I *love* the hijab. It keeps the ears very warm (I get cold ears very easily) and I like the feeling of privacy and modesty it gives. I like the more modest but stylish choices Islamic style gives as well. Modest Christian clothes tend to be very plain and shapeless.
post #12 of 33
9/26/09 at 12:03am
Here are a couple of links that show how some ladies I "know".
I dress much the same.
Its simple and does not stand out a huge amount.
http://servenclan.blogspot.com/2009/...-gracious.htmlhttp://asliliessewing.blogspot.com/2...ans-place.html
post #13 of 33
9/26/09 at 1:59am
I think there are probably a lot of styles in stores right now that would be both stylish and modest with some strategic layering. I would put long sleeve tees or turtlenecks under tops or dresses, layer leggings under skirts or dresses for more coverage, buy a longer length sweater or sweater vest...even styles that are not modest on their own, like a strapy tank top, can be modest and cute when layered over a turtleneck! Black tights are very in this year, so that helps too. Learning to sew a little might help too, as simple tunics and longer skirts are not hard to make.
post #14 of 33
9/26/09 at 2:14am
If you're comfortable with 3/4 sleeves, you might have a lot of luck on sale racks right now ... all summer long I was seeing a lot of short-ish 3/4 sleeve dresses that would have made great substitutions for tunic tops ... shirt dresses, wrap dresses, that sort of thing.
post #15 of 33
9/26/09 at 9:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulaJoAnne View Post
Here are a couple of links that show how some ladies I "know".
I dress much the same.
Its simple and does not stand out a huge amount.
http://servenclan.blogspot.com/2009/...-gracious.htmlhttp://asliliessewing.blogspot.com/2...ans-place.html

I like the skirt the lady is wearing in that one. Floor length-skirts are great because they provide total coverage yet are cool enough to wear even in the summer months.
post #16 of 33
9/27/09 at 4:46am
I like long hippie flowey skirts. I suspect much of the time, my dress comes off more as "hippie" than "modest" but it works. T-shirts, long flowy skirts (btw, mid-calf is way easier than ankle, for stairs), and bandanas most days. Plus, I live in Berkeley, so people take me for a hippie. *shrugs* works for me.
post #17 of 33
9/27/09 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulaJoAnne View Post
I totally her outfit.
post #18 of 33
9/27/09 at 12:34pm
I don't wear dresses all the time, but I do consider myself modest. I have always been, in part because of my religion. I look for longer shirts and am so glad they are in style. When it comes to swim suits I tend to go for tankini's because one pieces fit me odd, I have a very long torso. I also tend to wear board shorts over the bottom. If the shirt feels too low and is a V neck I wear a nice cami underneath. I love the lacy ones! With shorts I tend to go more for capri style. My skirts and dresses go to my knees or just below.

I look at regular stores and choose wisely. That's basically it. It sounds like you know what you're doing though! It just takes time and that's partly why I hate shopping (LOL)!
post #19 of 33
10/16/09 at 2:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chely7425 View Post
This might seem like a very weird question... but how did you guys start the transition to dressing more modest? Right now I mainly dress in trouser/looser fitting jeans and t shirts simply because that is what I have. I am not very comfortable with it... I would rather wear longer tunic tops over my pants or below the knee skirts. As dumb as it sounds I don't want to look less stylish or stick out or something... I dunno if this even makes sense. Just looking for advice!!!
I'm sort of in the same position! When I became pregnant I started dressing more modestly because I felt like I wanted to protect my body (and somehow my baby) from everyone's eyes. Now (8 mos. PP), i'm just not comfortable with my breasts/back/shoulders/legs hanging out for the world to see. These are for me and my husband and my baby!

For me it's not really a religious thing. I do want to set an example for my daughter, and just be ME which these days is a more covered person.

So i'm ...
post #20 of 33
10/17/09 at 1:48am
My family and I are starting down the more modest path--not that I have ever worn short things, and when my dd's skirts are at her knees, she is very uncomfortable!! We sat down and went thru the pattern sites on line and found several patterns for long skirts, long sleeve shirts, vests and cardigans made from sweatshirts--with appliques on them that dd is totally thrilled with--and me too! DD is 16 and is naturally modest and has asked for many long skirts. I remember when she was young, skirts, jumpers and dresses were all she would wear and she would wear the stretchy long bike shorts underneath for more modesty--she was 4 and 5 at the time and would pick them out herself! I am uncomfortable showing off my body and dh has expressed that he prefers me in skirts and dresses... so I think my sewing machine is going to be getting a good work out soon!!
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