How To Wear A Maxi Skirt And Be Modest
Maxi skirts are wonderful for being modest. Or so it appears at first glance. The length makes it easy to get on the floor and play with children, and be active as a mom.
However, I’ve seen some maxi skirts be just as immodest as a mini skirt. Seriously. Let’s go over some ideas on how to avoid that, and what makes a maxi skirt actually be immodest!
Even though a maxi skirt just describes the length, whenever I say maxi skirt I think of a long knit skirt. There are maxi denim skirts (like the Rainbow Denim skirt we sell) but for this blog post we are going to talk about the knit ones.
What exactly makes a maxi skirt immodest? Quite simply, when it fits you like a glove. Jeans are not the only thing that can hug your bottom and show your figure, certain maxi skirts do the same thing. When a skirt clings to you, it also can easily show the lines of your underwear, thus drawing attraction to your bottom area even more.
In general, avoid maxi skirts that:
~ Has a lot of spandex in the fabric. There are times I love spandex, but if a skirt has a good amount of spandex in it, most of the time it will be a fitted maxi skirt. Spandex is really good for layering tanks and shells, where you want the item to fit you well underneath a blouse or shirt. Not so much for hugging your bottom and clinging to your legs.
Does not have a lot of extra fabric at the bottom. You don’t need an a-line maxi skirt (not everyone looks good in that style), but you don’t want the skirt so fitted that it doesn’t naturally have more width at the bottom.
Simple Ways to Make A Maxi More Modest –
Use a slip! This is always what I try first. Sometimes just using a slip can help pull that clingy fabric away from your bottom, and avoid the famous underwear lines.
Wear seamless underwear. It can be easy to find underwear with smooth lines. I’ve found all cotton underwear has thicker seams (think brands like Hanes her Way), but silky soft underwear that still has a cotton crotch (no yeast infections!) work great.
Wear supportive garments underneath. Thanks to my six blessings, I wear supportive garments a lot to hide a mommy tummy. My favorite one so far was one I found at Target awhile back.
Where to find modest Maxi skirts:
Deborah & Co. – This is not a knit skirt, but we offer a lovely lace maxi skirt! If you are looking for a maxi length denim skirt, the Rainbow Denim skirt is my favorite!
Kohls – I’ve found a nice striped maxi skirt here before, it looks like the selection is different from when I last shopped for one, but you can find several on the website still.
JCPenny has some good options – you can find some that look modest here, here, here (not totally a maxi length, but could be on a petite person), and here.
Cents of Style – I haven’t tried these personally, but they look nice in the pictures! The polka dot skirt is adorable! While you are there, check out the Choose Joy shirts in new spring colors! I have this shirt in black, and receive lots of compliments on it!
eShakti – I’ve ordered a chambray skirt from them before that I love. They have a maxi length Chambray that would be great for summer. The nice thing about eShakti is that they can customize a lot of the lengths for you, and make quite a few of these skirts into a maxi length.
LulaRoe – I’ve fallen in love with these maxi skirts! Somehow they are not crazy full, but they are not skin tight. You can get silky soft ones, or a regular cotton knit. The best way to find these are to join Facebook groups with a consultant, and they share new inventory every week or so. I’m hosting a pop up party in a few weeks for a lovely blog reader that is a consultant! I wear LulaRoe skirts several times a week now! I’ve found it best to size down one size in their maxi skirts.
Those are some of my tips for wearing maxi skirts, I’d love to hear your tips!Â
I would love to see a blog post about being modest at the beach. We are going to the beach soon and I know it gets hot. It can also be difficult to always wear maxi skirts at the beach walking in sand and playing with kids at the park or putt putt. What are your tips? We are going soon!
If you have 100-150$ to spend, go check out Lands end! They have swim tunics this year, swim skirts, and swim skirts with leggings attached. They keep doing 30% off sales as well. Good luck!
My swim suit is an athletic shirt (with the dri-more material), sports bra, and knee-length swim shorts. I’m covered and able to run around. Kosher Casual also makes a knee length swim skirt with attached knee length leggings. There’s Apostolic stores online that have swim dresses.
We just moved near the beach a few months ago and it definitely makes it a bit more challenging to know what to wear. I’ve found that skirts right below the knee made of lightweight fabric (cotton, rayon, etc) work great. I also found a dress at Kohl’s a couple weeks ago that I love, as it’s a light fabric and great length so very comfy! I still do some maxi skirts when going out in town but the shorter ones are great for walking on the beach or being outside. Good luck finding some and have fun at the beach! We love it here. 🙂
I’d try a modest swimsuit for the beach. I just purchased one online through Hydrochic. It was a little expensive but so worth it. It will last me forever and it’s very cute.
Hi Stephanie! I do not live near a beach, but modesty when swimming is important to me. Here’s what I did (and it didn’t break the bank): I bought a swim suit top (tank style), and then I bought some exercise clothing – just below the knee length leggings, jogging shorts for wearing on top of the leggings, and one of those exercise style t-shirts (that have a small sleeve). I put all that on (yes it’s a lot) and it does the trick! I look like I’m going to or have just come from the gym…but I can swim and not worry about too much showing.
Another thing about maxi skirts can be the slits! Slits are sometimes necessary and can function as a great design feature–they just shouldn’t reveal too much. 🙂
One thing I notice with some skirts and dresses is that they’re lined. So many ladies think they won’t need a slip and sometimes they’re right. But there are other times where you still need a slip, even if the skirt is lined. I have a mirror in my room, and I will stand in front of the window in the morning when it’s sunny to make sure you can’t see through the skirt at all in the mirror. I’ll also have my husband double-check this for me.
Another thing in our area of the country that we struggle with is wind! Usually long maxi skirts are fine. But with others that are just below the knee the wind can really be a nuisance as you constantly have to be holding and pulling your skirt down. Even with long skirts, if the wind is blowing really hard it pushes the skirt up against your legs and you can see the outlines of your shape- yikes! Days like that I wear long denim instead of knit and that seems to help. It’s just frustrating because here the weather can change fast and you never know when a gust will come up! But it keeps me in my toes. Thank you for all of thr great suggestions today! 🙂
Regarding a slip. I am one who always wears a slip with any dress or skirt. Even if it’s lined and/or I’m wearing leggings underneath. I just feel more comfortable that way.
Another thing regarding slips…they keep the skirt from bunching up and “sticking”, if you know what I mean. I have seen this happen and it is not pretty…the slip should keep that from happening (or at least the slip itself, and not the skirt, will do it – and the skirt will stay flow-y).
Was going to share this post until you mentioned lula roe skirts yes a few of their things are ok but I have seen many that are not and unfortunately a lot of ladies are wearing them calling them modest. They can be if & this goes for lots of the maxi skirts its good to wear a top or jacket that covers your back size. Thanks for your stand on modest!
I don’t wear all the LulaRoe skirts, but I love the maxi skirts! It’s just like shopping at any store, you pick what you think is modest, but it doesn’t mean you don’t shop at that store because not everything there is modest. 🙂
Hi Caroline,Just wondering if you are still going to shop at Target since you mentioned it in this post. I feel like Christians should not because of the transgender issue…what do you think?
I was wondering the same thing.
Speaking for my family, we are no longer shopping there. I wrote a post – focusing mainly on the safety aspect of the transgender issue – on my own blog.
We are currently not shopping at Target. I linked to what I had purchased before all the craziness started. I’m really hoping they change their minds, because I love getting my girl’s maxi skirts at Target!
Sorry if you’ve covered this before, but do you have any tips on finding clothing for girls? My oldest is 6 and is tall for her age. My husband and I both desire for her to dress modestly, but have a hard time finding things, even at the thrift store, that are appropriate. I looked in your store and see the play dresses and the one skirt. Right now we are looking for dresses that are long (go below the knee) and my husband dislikes the look of a sheer layer, even when it has multiple layers underneath that are not sheer and it is by no means actually see through. We work around strappy type dresses/tank tops by having her wear a shirt underneath. The main issue is length and not having a sheer layer on top.
I know you posted this quite a while ago but I’m just reading this post. I don’t know if you own a sewing machine, but one time when I was in a pinch and needing skirts for my girls, I went to a thrift store and bought women’s skirts that were long enough for my daughters, took the skirts home and adjusted the waist. Some of them i just had to fold in at the sides an inch or two and they looked like they were meant to be fuller. Others, I did it at the back and one or two I added elastic to the waist. They were about six at the time.
I totally agree! I love maxi skirts, and they generally are modest, just because of how long they are. But you REALLY have to be careful when they have too much spandex! Thanks for reminding others of that!
Hi. I’m getting remarried in the fall and have the lace skirt. I am looking for a blouse to go with it to be my wedding outfit, or going away outfit. any ideas would be awesome. I love, love, love your skirts. thank you for all the ideas.
I love wearing with leggings or spandex workout shorts. Which i do not wear without the skirt.
I glad to see you mention LuLaRoe!!
I recommend Burlington Coat Factory. They have maxi skirts but many that aren’t that clingy spandex fabric and have a second layer of lace or chiffon which stops any tightness…