The response to my comment about a series revolving around the concept of a Fashionably Modest was surprisingly high, and so I’m writing this post to introduce what I was envisioning. I hope that the outfits you see throughout this series inspire you to think outside of the round-neckline-short-sleeve-tshirt-with-jeans-box. That is certainly what I’m hoping it will do for me!
There are a few rules that need to be set to keep some consistency between the posts.
1. Tops must have sleeves, necklines that don’t show cleavage, and backs that dip no lower than the bra line. The hemline of shorts and skirts must come within a hands length of the top of the kneecap (*see below for criteria for this).
2. Submissions must have a photo. Photo must be clear enough to accurately show the details of the outfit. It doesn’t have to be a “pro pic” but it does need to be a well-lit quality photograph. I reccomend using no flash and taking the photo in indirect sunlight.
3. Photo must be of a real person wearing the outfit. Anyone can go to a website and show me a “fashionably modest” outfit on a model, but I want to see what real people are wearing.
4. As I have demonstrated below, each item of the outfit should be listed, with brand and/or store purchased from. Include prices when you can, because we’re all curious what it will take to put a similar outfit together! Please format your description of your photo as close to my formatting as possible.
5. Links to online locations where articles and accessories can be purchased are encouraged.
6. Anyone brave enough to contribute a photo of themself in their swimwear?
If so, email me and we’ll talk about guidelines.
7. Submissions should be emailed to that wife {at} gmail {dot} com. Links to photos uploaded elsewhere are easier for me to handle than photo attachments, but I accept either!
Optional: Total cost of the entire outfit.
This series is not just for people like myself, with guidelines dictating what they need to wear, but for anyone with an outfit that they want to share! I hope to see work outfits, casual outfits, vacation outfits, accesories, killer shoes, bright colors, prints, patterns, etc.
I’ll kick things off with an outfit of my own that makes me feel like one of the cool kids. Please ignore the BodyBugg. Information you submit should be formatted as close as possible to what you see below.
Shirt: Brand-Rampage, Found at-Ross
Undershirt: Classic Tee, Brand-Down East Basics, $9.99
Shorts: The Cassidy Fit, Brand-The Limited, Found at-TJ Maxx, $12.99
Shoes: Brand-Me Too, Found at-Ross
My favorite part about this outfit is that the ruffles on my shoes match the ruffles on my shirt!
Total:
I don’t know exact prices, but I’m going to estimate the entire outfit cost me no more than $65
*Lay your hand flat with your fingers together and place your pinky at the top of your knee. Your hemline shouldn’t be any shorter than your thumb when sitting.
P.S. Geeky photog note: These photos were taken with Kelli Nicole’s new 5D Mark II. Drooooollll. Drool all over my ruffly shirt and ruffly shoes. That camera, is AMAZING.
Editors Note: I don’t moderate comments on my other posts, but I reserve the right to moderate comments on all posts with the title “Fashionably Modest” made up of content submitted by readers. The purpose of this series is to share ideas, not criticize each other. Helpful suggestions are welcome, but if I feel that your comment has a negative comment it will be removed.
Tags: clothing, fashionably modest
This is so exciting! I will try to put something together soon. I do not have guidelines for clothing but I am not a fan of showing off a lot of skin. I look forward to seeing everyone’s stuff.
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Looking forward to this series!
Cute shoes
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i can’t quite figure out which post you originally talked about this in, but it’s a fab idea! it’s going to be so fun to see the submissions!
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You look great and slimmer for sure. I love how you give it some color with the orange top inside. I don’t care what the fashion police says, I am a big fan of lots of black in my wardrobe. I am trying to add more color but black still wins.
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I’m not sure if you only use the classic tee, but just a heads up that there are Oscar de la Renta tanks at Sam’s Clubthat I find cheaper and better than the Down East cami. Also the extra long tanks from Mossimo at Target. I don’t know about you, but I dislike the square-ness of the Down East Cami neckline.
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This is a great idea! I’m often looking for outfits that keep my assets under wraps, particularly to wear to work and to family events. I’ll see what I’ve got in my closet!
I do have a question, though- are there any general guidelines about the cut or cling-factor of clothing? I know, common sense, but what do you think, Jenna?
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Jenna Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Great question! I think I would play it by ear. If someone sent something skin tight I think I would just email them back and talk it through. I would hope that people would just use personal judgment to decide if the things they are submitting could be considered “modest”.
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Okay, I am not trying to criticize your outfit at all - just offer a helpful hint that I learned on “What Not to Wear.” I used to love to wear black pants, black top, with a colorful under-tee layered underneath my black top - just like your outfit above. Then, I saw an episode of “What Not to Wear” when the Stacey said that this outfit is not good for heavier girls as it draws too much attention to the band of color at the hips - therefore drawing your eye to the widest point of the body. She said to wear a colorful belt at the waist instead on an all black outfit - drawing your eye to a thinner point on your body. Again, not to criticize, just a point that I never though about, either.
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Jenna Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Thanks for the tip Lindsay!
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I think this is a great idea, and I’m definitly interested in seeing what people have put together. I might even dig through my closet and see what I can come up with. My question though, as someone who does not live with much constraints on clothing, what’s the reason behind not showing off your shoulders? I understand the restrictions on showing off the bust and knees but the shoulders throw me off. Not trying to be condescending or rude, just honest curiosity here.
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Jenna Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I think because the line has to be drawn somewhere?
I don’t see any problems with the restrictions because they encourage me to keep parts of myself just for my husband. Although it’s just shoulders, it’s still that much more of me that is seen only be him.
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Helena Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I’m totally playing devil’s advocate but your reasoning is tip-toeing along the line of thinking that argues the burkha or the hijab is actually full of sex appeal. Why not draw the line at the burkha? How dare you wear your hair out in public like that, Jenna?
Out of curiosity, what does is a conservative Mormon supposed wear at the beach?
When I was in Goa (India) the ladies just wade in the water with their sari’s pulled up to just above ankle level - never any higher.
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Christina Reply:
July 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I’m an Apostolic/Pentecostal Christian, and many of us also choose to live within scriptural guidelines for modesty similar to those followed by the LDS , though ours include limiting jewelry and makeup, having long hair, and wearing skirts/dresses (no pants/shorts).
One reason I use in teaching the girls in my youth group about sleeve modesty is that sleeves encourage you to keep your undergarments covered. It’s called UNDERwear, after all-bras have an inherent implication of sensuality, and they’re intended to remain hidden under your clothing. Sleeves of an appropriate length and fit will ensure that.
Jenna, I started stalking you on the ‘Bee because of your modest approach to attire in your wedding, and I’m super-excited to follow this series as well. Yay for being modest and cute!
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I am not a ruffle girl by any means - but thats just cute.
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Oh, I am so excited to see this up! I will join in, even though on the weekends I am more of a classic mini-ish shift and mid thigh shorts (none of which is ever tight) kind of girl in summer, and I wear sleeveless tops. Boob modesty is ALWAYS a factor for me though. Isn’t it funny how our modesty goals are totally different depending on perspective?
It will be interesting for me to find skirts of the length your are specifying in my closet - mine are shorter than that (but still reasonable and not at all tight) as it is generally more flattering on me.
Just a quick question - would you wear a shorter dress with leggings to increase the modesty factor? I just know that this is something a lot of my Orthodox Jewish friends do to get around the fact that a lot of dresses have hemlines shorter than they are comfortable wearing. Some of the even more observant girls I know of actually wear them even with knee length dresses so they don’t show any leg at all!
I think this is a cute outfit. I am so jealous that you can pull together an outfit for $65. Even when I wear an entirely thrifted or cheapie outfit, shoes kill me. Even on sale decent quality shoes are at least $100 here.
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Jenna Reply:
July 15th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I did before I got married. But TH hates them
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Adorable outfit Jenna. I’m very excited for this series. I’m not fashionable (I’m very much in the jeans and tee box) so I can’t say I’ll contribute, but I am very excited!!
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I love this series! I have tons of things that fit nicely within in these same parameters!
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I’m excited for this because, as Christina said, as a Pentacostal/Apostolic Christian we have a lot of the same modesty requirements! I can’t wait to go and figure out what I have in my closet that has ruffles.
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Wow… love this idea! I’m rummaging through my closet for my cute ‘Fashionably Modest’ outfit!
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