Archive for the ‘modest clothing’ Category

Modest Clothing For Kids (Or; How to Be Modest AND Matching!)

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

You want to dress your little ones in cute, modest clothing. Your kids just want to dress themselves. Encourage their independence AND guarantee a matching, modest outfit. We’ll tell you how.mismatched_clothing

To pretty much guarantee your children can pick out their own clothes all by themselves AND look presentable and modest, I have two words for you: Neutral bottoms.

This is a great trick I discovered years ago. With plain bottoms—knee-length denim skirts or jeans are a great example—your kids can spice it up with colorful tops, but still coordinate. (Though my daughter does have an interesting habit of pairing neutrals with neutrals. “If I wear a brown skirt, I should wear a brown shirt.” Yes, if you are dressing up like dirt.)

Tips for Easy Self-Dressing

1. Avoid “outfits.” Stay away from any skirt+ shirt or pants + shirt combo. I dislike “outfits” because the colors and patterns are designed to look good only together, so you can’t pair them with a different top or bottom. This is limiting! I protest! And it’s a morning fashion disaster waiting to happen, because you just know one of the pieces will be AWOL. (Tip: It was used as a blanket for a stuffed animal, fell behind your child’s bed when they were “cleaning up” and is serving as the local community center for a population of dust bunnies.)

2. Knee-length denim skirts. Many schools require modest length skirts for girls. Or maybe you just hate the child-in-a-miniskirt look. Either way, there are plenty of knee-length denim skirts (or longer lengths) to choose from. Denim, truly, is a girl’s best friend—it goes with anything, and during the colder months, it looks great with a cute pair of leggings underneath.

3. Sport skirts. For a change from denim and a softer feel, go for a versatile and functional knee-length “sport” skirt. Sport skirts are made of a soft knit material and move easily. In shades of blues, brown, black or gray, your daughter can pair it with a brightly colored shirt and be ready for an action-packed day.

4. Jeans. Like the denim skirt, a good pair of jeans is a must-have for boys. It’s easy to coordinate with shirts and very comfortable. A dark wash of jeans could even be appropriate for a more formal occasion. (Really! Try pairing a dark pair of jeans with a button-down shirt and see how debonair he looks. Sunglasses not included.)

What are your tried and true kid-dressing tips?

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Posted in Denim Skirt, Dress Code, Girls Knee Length Skirts, Leggings, Sports Skirt, modest clothing | No Comments »

Holiday Presents: To Have and to Clothe

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

The gifting season is upon us, and with it, the endless list-making and hand-wringing as you try to find that perfect gift for all the special someones in your life.

Clothing is always a popular gift option. But also a tricky one—is the size right? What about the style? Can it be returned easily? Does he/she have this already? And if your special someone prefers modest clothing, it can get even trickier.

First, some easy advice: Increase your chances of success by skipping over the entire printed-seasonal-designs section. NO reindeer sweaters, NO dreidel cardigans. Even for little kids. Please, let’s respect their fashion integrity, even at a young age.

So you want to find modest clothing that’s fresh and functional. I mean are you really going to buy another necktie? Or pair of gloves? Come on. Get your giftees something they can really use, day in and day out. A gift that will elicit the sought-after, “Oh, that’s JUST what I needed!” reaction.

(But keep the receipt. Just in case.)

Five clothing gifts that are 99 percent guaranteed to make the clothes-lovers in your life happy:

1. A pretty flowing cardigan. Fashionable (check), modest, (check), functional (check) and fairly easy to figure out what size to get. Remember that the giftee will probably wear this over another article of clothing, so don’t get it too small or tight.

2. A silk scarf. I once received a beautiful silk scarf as an end-of-year present from a student, and it’s one of my favorite items of clothing. A silk scarf is a versatile, fashionable item that can be used to cover hair, folded in a headband style or worn around your neck. A multifunctional, well-made gift is always welcome.

3. Sleevies®. Spice up a friend of family member’s wardrobe with a set of Sleevies. Your giftee can mix and match Sleevies® with a simple t-shirt to create dozens of modest wardrobe options. Go for the always popular black and white Sleevies®, or a colorful set for the truly daring fashionista in your life.

4. Pajamas! How many of us are using ratty old t-shirts and old pants we’ve had since college as pajamas? Treat your family—and yourself—to a cozy pair of new pajamas that actually match!

5. NFGC (Never Fail Gift Certificate). Yes, a present you picked out yourself and lovingly watched the store clerk wrap is always preferable. But let’s face it—there are those picky people in our lives that no matter what we do, it’s too small, too dark, wrong color, soooo not their style or it’s all those things AND they already own it. So you can never go wrong with a heartfelt gift certificate as well—watch their eyes light up with excitement at having FREE MONEY to spend however they like!

So good luck with your holiday gift shopping. Let us know how it goes! And please, share your clothing gift ideas with us!

(And if anyone wants to know what to get for me, I’m still wearing a ratty old t-shirt and pajama pants to bed every night….)

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Posted in Modest Clothing Accessories, Modest Fashion, modest clothing | No Comments »

Five Modest Fashion Must Haves on a Budget

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Modest fashion is attainable while on a budget. In truth, most of the time you only need a few items to refresh your wardrobe. I am a bit partial to basic pieces, because I am always on the run with my 4 kids. I have to be in and out of the house in a hurry, and the last thing I want to worry about is what I am wearing. I own a few must have items that not only look great all year round, but are also affordable!
1) Long black pencil skirt – The knee length black pencil skirt is a great versatile piece in your wardrobe. It is a staple item that is classic because it can be worn anywhere at anytime. The great thing about this modest fashion item is that you can wear it with a variety of shirts and it is a style that is never outdated. Celebrity mom, Victoria Beckham, often opts for this modest fashion choice and looks extremely confident and chic. Designers also like the knee length pencil skirt and was featured in Christian Siriano’s fall 2010 collection, Gap’s fall 2011 collection as well as Ann Taylor’s collection.
2) Knee length straight denim skirt – I just adore straight knee length skirts, especially in denim! The knee length straight denim skirt is great for winter and summer and can be worn to many occasions. You can dress it down with a pair of flats or dress it up with a pair of heels with the right accessories. The denim straight skirt has also been a favorite among celebrity moms such as Courtney Cox and Gwyneth Paltrow.
3) The scarf – When you are wearing basic modest fashion items, have some fun by adding colorful scarfs! The scarf is the easiest way to update your wardrobe and it is also the chicest way to cover up. It has been spotted on many 2011 runway shows, such as Yigal Azrouel, Kenzo, Just Cavalli and William Rast.
4) Long black A-line skirt – The long black A-line skirt is also a great fashion basic item! I have several long black A-line skirts because they are so comfortable without looking sloppy. Whatever shirt I put on always looks better with a long black A-line skirt. Long Flowing A-line Skirt
5) Basic ¾ sleeve shirt – The ¾ sleeve cotton ribbed shirt is a definite must have in your closet! This basic T comes in a variety of colors, and looks great with a long black A-line skirt and a knee length straight denim skirt.

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Posted in 3/4 sleeve, Black, Black Skirts, Denim Skirt, Fashion Must-Haves, Knee-Length Skirt, Long Skirts, Modest Fashion, Pencil Skirts, modest clothing | No Comments »

Long Pencil Skirts Get High Marks From This Mom

Monday, November 15th, 2010

I have a confession to make. Even though I hold my own where style is concerned, my 12-year-old daughter is the resident fashionista in my house. Not that I don’t pay attention to what’s new and exciting, but let’s just say that she is the one who follows the latest trends. So when she came running into my room today and shouted that we ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY must go out and buy a pencil skirt (or two or three) because ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY EVERYONE is wearing them!!!, I was a little nervous.
In my mind, I had immediate visions a barely knee length pencil skirt; very tight and very revealing. Not to mention unbearably uncomfortable! This did not bode well for the preference to dress modestly that both my daughter and I share.

But, I was intrigued, so I did some research. Here is what I found: the knee length pencil skirt actually evolved from the hobble skirt of the early 20th century. 200px-HobbleSkirtPostcard The hobble skirt was a full length skirt, gathered at mid-calf, which, although nice and modest, seriously impeded the wearer’s ability to walk. Well, if you ask me, that sounds like fashion hell. Thankfully, the French uber designer Christian Dior re-introduced a much shorter version of the hobble skirt that also included a slit in the back for ease of movement. Thus the modern-day knee length pencil skirt was born. But could I find long pencil skirts that would appeal to my discerning, modest daughter???

Ughhhh! How uncomfortable does THIS look???

So my daughter and I hit the mall for some serious shopping. As she tried on pencil skirt after pencil skirt, I had to admit that although I very much liked the silhouette they created, most of these skirts where waaaay too short and tight. So back home we went to try and find something more suitable online. To our delight, we found some great stuff: a decent selection of long pencil skirts that hit well- below the knee, which meant they were both age-appropriate and modest. We decided that the slenderness of the long pencil skirts would be nicely balanced with a loose tunic top or a flowing, soft jacket. We found a couple of terrific denim pencil skirts that would look really cute with leggings underneath, and elegant black pencil skirts that would be great for more fancy occasions.

Long Pencil Skirt

Long Pencil Skirt

The added bonus was that these long pencil skirts were made in nice stretchy materials that made them incredibly comfortable to wear. Oh, did I mention that I found some amazing long pencil skirts for me, too?

victoria

Even Posh often wears classy, modest long pencil skirts!

So at the end of the day, my daughter ended up with a new wardrobe replete with long pencil skirts that completely fit our modest way of dressing, and I ended up a way cooler, fashion-forward mom!

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Posted in Girls Knee Length Skirts, Knee-Length Skirt, Pencil Skirts, Uncategorized, modest clothing | 4 Comments »

Kosher Casual’s Modernly Modest Contest – Win $100 Gift Certificate

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

I just wanted to give my readers the heads up about Kosher Casual’s Modernly Modest Contest that is ending November 30!

Kosher Casual makes modern and modest clothing that make you look and feel great! The line of super comfortable, quality women’s and girls’ modest clothes makes it so easy to buy stylish and affordable fashions!

Raffle ScreenHunter_06 Feb. 04 15.54

Now is your chance to win a $100 gift certificate just in time for the holidays! Here is the link to enter:

No purchase is necessary in order to enter the sweepstakes and you can enter once per day! Good luck.

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Posted in Uncategorized, modest clothing | 1 Comment »

School Dress Code – Bringing Back Modesty to Our Schools

Monday, October 25th, 2010

I recently attended an appointment at a local public school. I must admit, I have not stepped foot in one (for various and sundry reasons) in a very, very long time. From the second I walked on to the school grounds, I was SHOCKED!!! Never mind school uniforms; I think a music video allowed to play only after 10 pm featured more modest clothing than what the people at this particular school were wearing. In the first ten steps, I saw belly-bearing tank tops, super micro mini shorts, an A line skit that was more of a no line skirt and jeans hanging so low to the ground; I had to physically restrain myself from pulling them up! And these were just the teachers!

I, myself, attended public school in the somewhat distant past (after the dinosaurs but before cell phones). While there was no school dress code, there was a broadly accepted, unspoken line that was not crossed. We did not wear anything that was more appropriate for the beach than for the classroom: no shorts; no sleeveless tops, no bellybutton baring t-shirts. It wasn’t that we dressed more modestly because we had some higher consciousness that dictated our clothing choices. We did not call it modest clothing, we just called it appropriate school clothing. We simply did not have the blurred line between the appropriate and the x-rated.


I had the biggest urge to call an emergency assembly in the school auditorium and give the kids (AND teachers, AND the administration) some fashion tips. Girls! If you want to attract attention, put on a comfy cotton t-shirt, a classy knee-length skirt and leave a little to the imagination. Boys! A short sleeve polo shirt and a nice pair of khaki pants makes you look polished and smart. Teachers! Dress respectfully and age-appropriate and watch your students take you just a little more seriously. Maybe we don’t need a school dress code for the class, but school clothing with some class!

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Posted in Dress Code, Girls Knee Length Skirts, Knee-Length Skirt, School Skirts, School Uniform, modest clothing | 2 Comments »

Summer Layering Clothing – Tips for Staying Cool

Wednesday, 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. Before and After SleeviesWith 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!

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Posted in Fashion Philosophy, Layering Tops, Layering shirts, Modest Clothing Accessories, Uncategorized, modest clothing | No Comments »

Why I Love My Leggings

Thursday, 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. legging

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.

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Posted in Fashion Philosophy, Leggings, modest clothing | 1 Comment »

Fashion Must Have – Layering Tops

Friday, 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?

Jessica Simpson looking modernly modest in layering top

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