Building A Modest Wardrobe – A 31 Day Series!
Have you ever looked at the clothes hanging in your closet with disgust, wishing you knew what you truly needed to have a well balanced wardrobe? Are you on a journey to dressing more modestly? Would you like someone to come along and walk you through what modest dresses and skirts for women might look like? If so, I’m excited to introduce to you my “Building a Modest Wardrobe” 31 day series.
I’ve heard quite a few women say they would love some guidance in building a more modest wardrobe. In this series you will be receiving tips and resources on how to put together a complete wardrobe that is modest while suiting your particular needs.
Keep in mind that every woman is different, and we all have different clothing needs. If you live on a farm, your wardrobe needs are going to be different then if you live in a tiny city yard with no need for mud clothes.
I hope to provide you with a general outline to help inform your clothing decisions and from there you can fill in the gaps with your own unique situation.
I will share lists that break down a wardrobe by different clothing types. It’s going to be a realistic look, and I’ll warn you I won’t share the super minimalist approach of 5 outfits total. That is certainly an option for you and some women love it, but I personally appreciate a little more variety than that. : )
I’m also going to focus mainly on wearing skirts or dresses in this series. I’ve written once before on how you can pair a tunic shirt or short dress with jeans to make them more modest, but honestly, I don’t find that hard to do. It is harder to create a whole wardrobe out of skirts and there is not nearly as much support in doing so. If you read my initial post on why I wear skirts all the time you will see that I don’t do so out of legalism or out of a judgmental attitude towards others. My heart is not holier in a skirt than in a pair of jeans, but if I’m convicted that it’s better for me to wear skirts most of the time, I need to follow through with that conviction.
I’d love it if you leave any questions you have in the comments! That will help me have a better idea what some of you struggle with in your wardrobe. I’m looking forward to you and I going through this series together!
I’m so excited for this series! This is something I’m going through right now 🙂 I have been getting convicted to dress more modest and since having a baby my standards have changed. Now I’m going through my pre pregnant/nursing clothes and most of my dresses are to short for my new standards… What would you do with them? Get rid of them or is there a way to make a short dress modest?
Also how can you wear a looser flowy top with a skirt without it all looking baggy and frumpy?
Thanks, God bless you!
When I wear a loose and flowy top, I wear either a long A line skirt or a below-the-knee straighter-style skirt, such as a pencil shape.
This kind of balances out the look. I’m not thin, so I can’t have both pieces loose and flowy without it looking a little dumpy!
Just a thought!
A simple and stylish fix…Leggings.
You can buy (or make) slips meant for wearing under shorter skirts that add length with cute ruffles, pleats, or eyelet lace fabric. Often called extender slips or skirt extenders. Super cute option!
I do not wear skirts on a regular basis, but when I want to (like a solid color maxi skirt) I can’t always decide what shirt to pair with it (style) so I am looking forward to this!
I also like solids and can not find tops that look nice with maxi skirts.
I’m glad you’re doing this series!! I’ve been going through my wardrobe a little at a time, this year. I’ve gotten rid of clothes that don’t fit at ALL, and then moved on to the, is it comfortable, when DID I wear it last, does it need repair, is it faded, etc…now I’m down to just a few pieces, and some of them need to go, because they don’t pass the ‘movement’ test! I have about 10 items I wear, right now…not because I planned it, but that’s how it’s ended up. Now I need to build it up a little. Like you, I like options! 😀
I just was gifted an AWESOME jean paneled skirt, with a yoke waist. How happy was I, in seeing that it looks great on me?
Anyhoo…needless to say, I’m glad you’re doing this series! Can’t wait to see what else you share.
Peggy
I’m looking forward to this too Caroline! Especially any suggestions for different seasons.
I’m excited about this series & anxious to see what I can learn! I do wear skirts all the time & love to match up colors, but feel a bit out of it when it comes to matching styles! So I’m glad you’re doing this & I can’t wait to get started!!
I really appreciate your blogging about modesty. It seems to be “lost” in most lives today. I do not wear pants at all and am a “rare bird.” Years ago, when I did wear pants, I saw myself from behind in a 3-way mirror and saw what others see! It was quite eye-opening and I was convicted about my modesty. I have never worn another pair since that time. I also sew and do alterations and have learned many fun and beautiful ways to make clothes modest, without having to buy a new wardrobe. If I can be of help to anyone in this area, I would be happy to help. One thing that does bother me, even among “modest” women, is when an expectant mother wears clothing so tight over the baby that you can even see them kick! To me this should also be a “curved area” of a woman’s body that needs to be modest. Thanks so much for standing for your convictions.
I loved reading your blog. I’m Pentecostal, and do wear skirts/dresses all the time. But I enjoy explaining it in a similar way, because I feel great when I wear them, and I do think it is a feminine look that honors God and my family. Not just because “the church” does it, or because of one verse in the Bible.
Thank you! And hope you don’t mind, but I looked at your clothing line and I am SO excited to see the little girls’ modest princess clothes. They are adorable and a fun way for little girls to play dress up while avoiding the modern looks with less “coverage”.
I am so thankful you are doing this series. I have been wanting to switch to skirts for months now and am having such a hard time knowing where to start. I don’t have many clothes. But what I do have isn’t working at all. Budget for clothing is a problem, so most of what I have is second hand. Which would be fine but the clothes given to me just don’t fit right. Shirts and camisoles are always too low and even a pair of maternity shorts I have are just too short, so I often resort to wearing my husbands tshirts :-\. I have often wished someone could come along side me and show me the ropes of dressing in a modest and feminine way. So this is just perfect! I love your style, Caroline! Your blog is such an inspiration. Excited to get into this series and learn!!
Interested in hearing what ideas you have!
Thanks
Let me know what you have and I can give you some ideas; i.e. skirts, dresses – length, cleavage, back, too tight, etc.
Yay! I can already tell I’m going to love this series, and it’s just what I need right now 🙂
I wear skirts and dresses all the time but I am just not very good at matching skirts and tops. I don’t know why. I prefer dresses because I don’t have to match, but it’s hard to find those in a decent length. And if I am nursing those don’t work. Anyway, I am looking forward to this series!
I am so excited for this! One of my issues is coordinating separates. However, my biggest issue seems to be shoes. I know, what woman has a problem with shoes! I resort to flips flops during the warm months but in winter I am left scrambling and trying to figure out if it goes.
Keisha,
I’m excited to see what Caroline posts, but for me in the winter it works to wear mary-jane style or flat-soled leather shoes like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Womens-Ashland-Rivers-Shoe/dp/B0086TBM3G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412199133&sr=8-1&keywords=clarks+amazon+rivers
http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Womens-Ideo-Rake-Ballet/dp/B00ARQX2H0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412199221&sr=8-1&keywords=clarks+ideo+rake
But of course your climate is also a factor! If you live in a really cold climate you could wear flat-soled boots.
How about how to find modest cheap? How to shop thred-up and the other online sites? What shoes to wear–like how to find good boots that have traction, but don’t cost $200 🙂
I never know what type of shoes to wear with skirts/dresses.
My biggest problem is finding age-appropriate dresses than are not frumpy. I am almost 60 and that is what all my dresses are. Also, could use some help with ideas for comfortable and feminine shoes.
Thank-you for doing this.
Linda
I am very excited for this, as I am working on starting my modest wardrobe. I have always loved wearing skirts however living where it is soooo cold in the winter and piled with snow (VT) has always been my reason for pushing off my feelings for wanting to dress in skirts. How can I make the transition to wearing skirts in the winter, while still being comfortable? And my other dilemma has always been shoes. Summer is easy…flip flops or sandles. But my feet get cold easily so what can I do in the spring, fall and winter, since socks with skirts look so tacky? I am excited to see where this goes. Thanks so much for doing this!!! 🙂
I live in climate where winters can be very cold, and wear skirts all the time. Some tips:
-Make sure your winter skirts are heavy enough. Denim, corduroy, cotton twill and wool are good materials. Choose dark colors as they look neat even if the hem gets occassionally wet.
-Wear leggings or tights.
-Wear good knee-high boots. Two years ago I splurged and bought a pair of tall black UGGs from sale. I’m so glad I did. Boots designed for warmth might not be the prettiest, but since my skirts come almost to the ground and the boots are black, no one really notices.
-Make sure your coat is long enough. If you wear knee high boots and your coat comes down to knee, you are quite well covered.
-Make or have someone make you some flannel slips. Note that you will have to wear flannel slips under a normal slip in order to avoid sticking to skirt fabric.
When I dress this way, I think I am actually warmer than my pant-wearing friends.
Great tips!
VERY excited for this and looking forward to it! 🙂
I too, am hoping you include something for us older ladies…I would love to be able to dress more feminine while also being modest..I have become humdrum in oversized tee shirts and baggy clothes…Looking very forward to what you have to say!!!
I was looking at your blog and one outfit caught my eye. A lovely dress with a cardigan and knee-high boots. I love dresses and boots, but as I am quite short (5’4) and have a larger dress size (14-16) the whole outfit can make me look frumpy. I may not wear dresses or skirts all the time (I am a 35yo jeans girl with a 2yo) but I am interested in finding appropriate clothes. I don’t feel comfortable letting it all hang out.