I’ve teamed up again with the amazing Sheela Goh to show off floral outfits for the mid-fall weather, when the wind starts to hail and the rain falls. I’m also bringing up the issue of modest fashion. I’m not one for controversy on the blog, but this topic has been stirring up lots of issues in society, from feminism, to sex symbols, to sex objects. You name it, what we wear is always the centre of attention. As fashion bloggers, we know that all too well.
Florals in Mid-Fall Weather
Sheela and IÂ did a feature last month about wearing florals in the beginning of fall, where I also showed you how to DIY a floral crown perfect for any weather. This is the second edition. A third one will be posted next month. Stay tuned!
We’ve already determined that florals aren’t just for the summer. Fall can very well be blooming with roses…on your clothes that is. Here’s my version of how I would layer up against the colder weather this October/November.
Following with the modest fashion theme, as you can see, I paired my shorts with opaque tights as I prefer not to show off much skin when I wear shorter pieces. Why? Simply put, it’s more comfortable for me, work approved, and it protects me against the cold. Triple duty!
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Although I’m in Ontario, Canada, we’ve had a good fall until a few days ago, which is why I could go jacket-less.
This is how Sheela’s mid-fall version plays out. Great addition with the denim jacket. Given that she’s in Houston, lighter pieces still work well for this time of year. Sadly, the same can’t be said about where I live.
Modest Fashion in Society
Women are often looked at, defined and judged by their clothes. If you’re wearing too little, and assaulted, you were asking for it. If you’re wearing too much and not uncovering certain body parts, you’re not conveying to Western society’s expectations. That leaves many women in a rut, but probably more those that decide to cover up, rather than show off skin. Women who want to dress in modest fashion, should do so freely without being reprimanded for it. Modest clothing stores started to pop up to cater to that market and help these women feel fashionable while covering up.
While I myself love to dress in sexy clothes (yet not overtly exposing my skin), modest fashion is just as great on a woman, making her look powerful and attractive at the same time.
A Fashion Choice
Every woman has to make a fashion choice based on religious beliefs, personal preference, work rules, age or shape. Who a woman wants to dress like, Beyonce or Hillary Clinton, is entirely up to her.
Many have opted for modest fashion lately. Take Kate Middleton for example. Never overly exposed yet always looks impeccably well-dressed. She’s not 10, nor 60 years old. Whatever she wears is always age appropriate, proving that modest fashion isn’t just for kids or senior citizens.
This is nothing against the Hadid sisters, the back in the day Hilton sisters, or even the Kardashian sisters, who’ve always opted for more revealing clothing. If you like to show it off, go for it, but if others prefer not to, and let them be.
Backed by Personal Reasons
Reasons for covering up in modest fashion can vary from complying to religious beliefs (this goes for Muslims, Orthodox Jews, Mormons and other conservative Christian denominations), personal preference, or even work requirements. I’m excluding women that may be forced into it by family members as this post is only focusing on those that adopt modest fashion via their own will. Being forced into it is a whole other topic that should be addressed on its own.
AÂ Growing Movement
Going against the tide of uncovering certain body parts to be sexy and appealing is tough, but there’s a growing trend of modest fashion that’s taken off lately. Could it be due to the slew of refugees in recent years from the Middle East fleeing war-torn areas and are swaying fashion in their favour?? Maybe…
I’m no sociologist but I do recall in my society and trends class in University that fashion swings the way people take it, and trends begin far in advance of becoming mainstream. Fashion historian Patricia Mears, deputy director of the Museum at FIT, New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, seems to agree, according to USA Today.
“If anything it’s gaining more traction (now),” says Mears. “Many women do not want to walk around in a bandage dress or show their midriff — the Real Housewives look that has permeated the workplace.”
So let me make this assumption safely, as it seems I’ve studied it in school, and the experts also agree.
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Covered up Western-Style Clothing
Offering Western-style clothing that are MORE covered up has been making lots of ladies happier, and more comfortable, and they are not all refugees from war-torn areas. Sales of modest fashion have been growing, thanks in part to social media spreading it to women who’ve been searching desperately for fashionable modest clothing.
For me, growing up and not always wanting to done whatever my schoolmates did in junior high school, partly because I developed ahead of them, was tough. I had to find alternatives which weren’t necessarily available in stores. So I became good at patching things together.
For many women that adopt modest fashion for religious reasons, it’s always been a struggle to find something that abides by their faith’s regulation.
Modest Fashion in High Fashion
Not all modest fashion customers seek it for religious reasons. Many do it to assert female empowerment, self-confidence, and a way to let their personality shine through rather than their cleavage. Even high fashion jumped on the modest fashion bandwagon:
- Hijabs are not only showcased at Islamic Fashion Week in Indonesia, take New York Fashion Week for example; designer Anniesa Hasibuan showcased her collection with hijabi models.
- Vogue featured a clad of hijabi ladies in their best street styles photo ops.
- Notice the new trends of modest maxi dresses and midi skirts currently hitting stores, summer and winter alike.
- The Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley, almost exclusively design loose, over-sized, maxi clothing in their The Row line.
- A-list designers and big chain retailers such as DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, Zara, Mango are producing one-off collections for Ramadan, taking cues from couture designers who’ve selling their designs for decades to middle-eastern women.
- Dolce & Gabbana and Uniqlo each released a collection of hijabs, abayas and other covering up accessories.
- H&M featured a Muslim model in a hijab in one of its video ads last September.
- Elle Magazine has a contributing writer that owns her a modest fashion clothing shop, Melanie Elturk.
- Niche magazines like Jen Magazine and Cover Magazine feature modest fashion.
- Several other modest fashion shops have popped up all over the Internet catering to this niche market.
Is it a fashion movement or breaking down barriers? Who knows. What I do know is that modest fashion is not outmoded or dressing biblically. Women who don’t want to sacrifice style to dress more conservatively, can now do so fashionably.
The Gist of it
The reasons for modest fashion choices can vary from religious, to self-empowerment, to comfort. Whatever it is, it has been largely swaying the fashion scene and bringing forward styles that are not confined only to the mother of the bride. Mass retailers and designers have all taken notice of the popular trend, largely brought over by women looking to express themselves in less revealing clothing, and the influx of migrants from war-torn areas into Western nations.
I leave you with one of my modest outfits from my Instagram feed. Check it out and Instagram and let me know what you think of it.
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This is Grace
Grace from Color & Grace. Based in Troy, Michigan, Grace is a 41 year-old petite woman who loves colours. Born and raised in China, she moved to America for love in 2007. Her day job – teacher. Her dream job – fashion blogger. Make sure to go and check out her blog and leave her a comment on her awesome outfit.
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