July 7th, 2010
It’s been a few weeks now since the season finale of Project Runway, but the modest fashions that I saw throughout this season are still fresh in my mind. While it goes without saying that not every Project Runway designer chose to create modest fashions, there were some contestants that were able to keep their models creatively covered up…and I found this quite refreshing.
Here are some of my favorite highlights from this season’s Project Runway designers:
I suppose I should start with this season’s winning Project Runway designer, Seth Aaron Henderson. While he wasn’t my favorite throughout the season, I found this piece from his final collection absolutely fantastic, even though some critics thought that the print was too loud or dated. While we’re talking about Seth Aaron, I also thought that his modest black-and-white jacket was great, and I guess I’m right about this one, since the judges crowned him as the winner of that particular challenge. And, of course, his fabulous herringbone and polka-dot dress truly pushed the limits of fashion while remaining entirely modest, a feat which isn’t always achieved easily.
Runner-up Emilio Sosa was my favorite Project Runway designer, mostly because he always surprised me with his interesting (and entirely ‘wearable’) designs. One of his best modest fashions was a colorful turtleneck presented during the final runway show. The shirt was sleek, modest and would look great paired with a wide range of different skirts.
I did not particularly love the black-and-white aesthetic that Project Runway designer Mila Hermanovski favored, though I did enjoy her submission to the mother-daughter challenge.
On the other hand, I did love Amy Sarabi’s uniquely-textured designs (even though the judges usually didn’t). One thing that really struck me was a green sweater, which would be entirely modest if worn with a layering top underneath.
Finally, I really think it’s worth mentioning Jay Nicholas Sario, who did present at NY Fashion Week, even though he wasn’t one of the top Project Runway designers. I enjoyed watching him all season, and while some of this outfits probably need to be adapted in order to be practical for the real world, they were quite stunning. One of the most modest (and charming) things that Jay showed at Fashion Week was this shirt, which, with a bit of modification can probably be worn for both day and evening events.
Do you have a favorite Project Runway designer? I’d love to hear about what designs and designers you specifically liked!
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May 23rd, 2010
6 Ways to Find Modest Prom Dresses
Prom season is officially upon us, which means that there’s bound to be an abundance of black polyester ball gowns flying off shelves in stores throughout the country. If you’re looking for modest prom dresses, however, it may not be quite as easy to pull something off the rack. The good news is that because most prom dresses are long, you shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping your legs covered. So essentially, all you need is a dress that covers your top as well as your legs – and with a bit of ingenuity, you should be able to transform nearly any dress into a tasteful and appropriate modest prom dress. Here are some ways to find modest prom dresses:
1- Add a wide wrap. Tie the wrap by holding the middle of the wrap against your back, and draping the sides forward. Wrap the hanging parts around your arms towards your back, and have a friend (or your mother) tie the wrap in a tight knot under the width of wrap that is covering your back. If you have an extremely wide wrap (think Pashmina style), you can potentially even avoid the knot in the back, though this will surely help keep the wrap in place, even if it’s not entirely necessary.
2- Add a bolero jacket. My wedding gown actually came as two pieces – a strapless gown, and a bolero jacket to wear over it. I imagine that women who aren’t concerned about modesty would remove the jacket during the dancing, but I was thrilled to wear it throughout the wedding. If you’re looking for modest prom dresses that will look good with a bolero jacket, look for styles that are fitted in the middle, so that the jacket will make you look sleek without looking stocky. The easiest solution would be to find a dress that comes with a jacket. But if you can’t, there are other options. Some prom dresses come with shawls, and it’s relatively easy to have a bolero jacket made out of the extra material. Another possibility would be to create a knee-length or tea length gown by cutting off the hem and using that to create a jacket. If you are purchasing an inexpensive dress, you may even be able to buy two just to have enough material.
3- Look online. Searching for modest prom dresses in traditional clothing stores may be extremely frustrating. The world of the internet, however, is an entirely different story. There are dozens of websites that offer modest evening wear – all you need to do is poke around a bit.Check out this beautiful pic fromTotallyModest.com 
4- Have your modest prom dress made. You may be surprised at how affordable it is to have a dress made if it’s somewhat simple. You can get inspiration from modest red carpet looks like the one worn by Diane Kruger to the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute’s Gala in 2010.
5- Go goddess. Goddess dresses are among my favorite style of evening wear, and they make fantastic modest prom dresses. The billowy material drapes modestly and beautifully, and most goddess dress styles can be found with sleeves or easily maneuvered to have sleeves added. What’s great about a goddess dress is that unlike many prom dresses that look as though they were crafted just for a teenage dance, a goddess dress will look great at prom and at other evening events. And, of course, the best part of wearing a goddess dress is that it will definitely make you feel like a goddess…which is a great way to feel on prom night.
Tags: modest prom dress, Prom Dress
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April 28th, 2010
A while ago I wrote about how I love wearing my clothing layered to stay warm and stylish in the winter. But now, as I’m slowly changing over my closet from winter to summer clothing, I’m beginning to remember that much of my summer clothing has short sleeves or a low-cut top, styles that are designed to balance well with the summer heat, but that leave me feeling rather exposed. In summers past I used to pair a trusty black (or white) cardigan with nearly every shirt…but I’ve realized over time that I’m covering up my colorful wardrobe and that none of my summer clothing is getting the attention it deserves.
Fortunately, I’ve found multiple solutions that I think will enhance my summer wardrobe in ways that I never thought possible. The layering clothes that I’m most excited about are Sleevies. At first glance, Sleevies remind me of legwarmers for my arms, but without the bulkiness or bunchy style of those ’80s staples. Instead, Sleevies are made from cotton and Lycra, so they cover your arm without sliding down or making you too hot. 
With Sleevies, I’ve been able to resurrect several short-sleeved shirts from my wardrobe, and I’ve even purchased a few more because I know that I can wear them without covering them up or overheating with a full long-sleeved shirt underneath.
Another great item I’ve found which enables me to wear my clothing layered in the summer is a cropped ¾ sleeve layering tee, which as its name suggests, makes it look like I’m wearing a full shirt underneath an outfit, when really, I’m only wearing the top of a shirt. There are 3 major benefits of this type of layering clothing. Firstly, I can cover my arms and my chest modestly and stylishly without having to add a full extra shirt on a hot summer day. Secondly, (and I hope you don’t mind me being a bit personal), is that wearing a cropped shirt often allows me to get two uses out of my top shirt before needing to wash it. Finally, wearing a cropped shirt prevents the bulk that often results when I wear 2 full shirts, so that I can look stylish without looking like I’ve gained 5 pounds.
I know that these fantastic finds will make it possible for me to enjoy the look of layered clothing all summer and to purchase clothing that I would otherwise never consider because of its lack of modesty. I truly love being able to shop in ‘regular’ stores while knowing that I can gently adjust my clothing to become more modest, without compromising on style. In fact, if you ask me, wearing my clothing layered just gives me even more of an opportunity to express myself!
Tags: 3/4 sleeves, Layering Tops, modest clothing, Modest Clothing Accessories, Sleevies
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February 11th, 2010
Okay, I admit it. I am in love. I have never found a single article of clothing to be so useful, versatile and multipurpose as my stretch leggings.
I am not a fan of tights, and I’m really not a fan of stockings, and neither are my girls. Leggings provide all four of us with the perfect alternative – thin and flexible, warm and comfortable, yet easy to put on and hard to tear! But, there is so much more I love about my leggings…
Take today for example. I dressed for work in a cozy sweater, a knee-length black skirt and my stretch leggings tucked into a pair of leather boots. Just the right mix of style and class for the office. When I arrived home, I slipped off my boots in exchange for a fuzzy pair of slippers and managed to spend some quality time playing with the kids. The leggings not only protected me from the cold of the tile floor, they kept me confident that my nimble maneuvers wouldn’t compromise my modesty. Once the dishes were cleared and the kids in bed, I started to think about exercising, and of course, I realized that my stretch leggings would give me enough movement for my exercise (I then decided I’d rather write this blog post instead). My oldest daughter, however, wears her leggings to exercise regularly during gym class instead changing into sweatpants. 
While I get the most use out of my basic black leggings, when it comes to my girls, leggings with funky colors and patterns are always preferred. They love patterned leggings because they look adorable and give them the freedom to move and play. I love them because they are durable, easy and warm. Of course, I’d be thrilled if they wouldn’t wear spotted leggings with floral dresses…but I guess that’s a lesson for another day.
Whether hidden under a long skirt or exposed for a trendy, layered look, leggings are an absolute winter must have in my book.
Tags: Fashion Philosophy, Leggings
Posted in Fashion Philosophy, Leggings, modest clothing | 1 Comment »
January 15th, 2010
There’s no question that winter is upon us. And what I’m really trying to say is that it’s COLD. There are certain things that I love about cold weather, like snuggling under a down blanket, sipping a hot chocolate and sledding down a steep hill. But what I dislike most about the winter is being cold. And I am cold a lot. What’s a fashion-conscious girl to do when she only wants to wear big, fleecy sweaters, but doesn’t want to look like a winterized swamp thing? Wear layering tops!
It almost sounds implausible, but wearing several layering tops is a great way to stay cozy and chic. By their very nature, layering shirts are relatively thin shirts designed to be worn in tandem, most often as long-sleeved or ¾ length sleeved shirts under short-sleeved shirts or tank-tops under long-sleeved shirts. Not only do they keep women covered up in all the right places, but they are eternally stylish and popular among people of most ages. Layering tops are thin enough to be fashionable (without being overly-tight), and, when worn together, create fantastic warmth throughout the winter.
As it happens, I enjoy layering tops not only because they are cozy, but because they can create an endless array of looks. I mix pink layering shirts under gray sweaters, grey layering shirts under black sweaters and black tank tops under just about everything. I also own several white layering tops which I use to add a splash of light to a dark outfit or to protect my skin against a scratchy winter sweater.
I love layering tops so much that I ended up buying a bunch for my children, who also use them under jumpers, sweaters or T shirts. I can even purchase sleeveless dresses for my daughters as I know that they can wear layering shirts underneath to be both modest and warm. Although my children are warm-blooded (like their father) instead of constantly cold (like me), they enjoy the ability to wear layering tops instead of sweaters, which they (rightfully) note are less bulky and much prettier than huge sweaters.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that women no longer need to hide under giant fleece sweaters in order to stay warm- why not try some layering tops to look great and feel warm?
Tags: Layering shirts, Layering Tops, modest
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November 24th, 2009
My oldest daughter just started first grade, and let me tell you- I’ve completely forgotten the rules and regulations that accompany attendance at elementary school. In addition to purchasing a very specific type of notebook, a backpack with a certain number of pockets, a precise number of pencils, markers and crayons, I also had to fill her closet with a sufficient number of school skirts that cover her knee but still give her enough mobility to play actively- and to look adorable at all times.
I guess I should mention that we have 3 daughters, so I was hoping to find quality school skirts that would service my girls for the next few years. After failing at the most obvious chain stores, I began to ask around about specialty stores might carry the treasure I was hunting. One of my friends suggested Kosher Casual…and, I’d like to say that the rest is history.
I loved the black velour school skirt so much that I actually bought one for my second daughter as well. And at $10, a probably should have bought one for daughter #3! The girls love wearing them to school and for special events because the fabric can be dressed up or dressed down. (I just love them because they’re easy to wash and don’t pill or tear even after dozens of uses).
Another favorite of the girls was the knee-length tiered denim skirt, which makes a great girls school skirt because it keeps their legs warm during the winter and is loose and cool in the summer. My daughter loves the tiered denim skirt for another reason as well- it enables her to wear pants under her skirt on gym days without having to change for gym during the day.
Although the girls schools skirts that I purchased from Kosher Casual are only a few months old, I’m thrilled that they are still looking fantastic- and that the girls still love wearing them. I know that next year when I need to buy skirts in the next size I’ll know exactly where to go. Which, of course, will give me more time for finding the exact writing implements that my children’s teachers request!
Tags: School Skirts
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November 15th, 2009
As a working mother, I need to wear clothing that looks great in the office and is comfortable when I’m crawling around on the floor with the kids or making dinner, doing laundry, supervising bath time…you get the idea. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking that the best item would be a plastic, stain-repellent mu-mu. Which would be practical, of course, except that I don’t think my coworkers (or my husband) would appreciate the style statement. Fortunately for me, there is something that is stylish, comfortable and entirely wearable- my long black skirt. I seriously love my long black skirt. It disguises my relatively wide hips (as black fabric tends to do), it hangs properly in all the right places (as cotton tends to do), and it matches absolutely everything (well, except for maybe my favorite black shirt, but that’s a story for another time).
There’s no question that I enjoy wearing knee-length skirts, but if I had to choose my favorite cut, I’d choose long skirts hands-down. Why, you may ask? To make a long story short (pardon the pun), I’ve found that at times straight short skirts make it difficult to sit comfortably on the floor when I’m playing with my children. A long skirt, on the other hand, allows just the right amount of movement and coverage at all times. (It’s also great as a crutch for my son who is just learning how to pull himself up. If I wore more short skirts, I’m sure he’d be months behind as he’d have nothing to grab hold of!)
Long Black Panel Skirt
The long black skirt that I wear most frequently has a slight flare at the bottom which allows for easy maneuvering and is tailored at the top to create a completely professional look. Because the waistline is discreet and not bulky like that those on skirts with belt loops or designed waist-lines, it can be worn with nearly any type of shirt. Equally importantly, my favorite
long black skirt looks fantastic with nearly any type of shoes. In the summer, my sandals look fantastic with the slightly billowy skirt brushing over the sandal straps. In the winter the skirt looks great with both boots and other close-toed shoes. I wouldn’t wear it with sneakers, but then again, I seldom wear sneakers unless I’m on the treadmill, so I guess that’s irrelevant.
Tags: Long Black Skirt, skirts
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October 21st, 2009
I consider myself a fashionable dresser. I care about what I look like when I leave the house and I want my clothing to fit nicely, feel comfortable and look fabulous. I put on makeup (not just lipstick!) before I leave the house. And yet, while I am working hard to look my best, I also want to make sure that my clothing reflects my personality- which is why I wear modest clothing.
For me, wearing modest clothes is about expressing who I am as an individual. I enjoy letting my fashion choices express my individuality rather than letting my physical body serve as the yardstick upon which I am measured.
People often ask me if my modest clothes (not to be confused with hideous clothing) make me sweat in the summer heat. My answer is both simple and honest- yes, modest clothes can make someone feel warm. To stay cool I wear a lot of breathable fabrics such as cotton and viscose, which keep me comfortable- and chic. More importantly, I suspect that under the blazing sun, someone wearing a tank top is probably uncomfortably warm as well. I know this because I used to wear tank tops and bathing suits. And shorts and short-sleeved T-shirts. And I was hot then as well. But it’s ok to be hot because it’s the summer.
There is plenty of women’s summer clothing available today that is both modest and trendy. The best designers appreciate the versatility that modest clothing can add to their summer collection. You may be surprised by how much is out there that can look fabulous without compromising your modesty. So take a peek around, enjoy browsing through the diverse women’s summer clothing that is available, and find something that will make you feel both modest and beautiful- because after all, you deserve to look beautiful all year long.
Tags: modest clothes, modest clothing, women's summer clothing
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