Operation Modesty
Ten Tips to Keep You Covered
by Annette Lyon

In the late 80’s, girls wore peg-legged pants and ridiculously baggy tops with shoulder pads. The biggest modesty challenge at the time was if those pegged pants were too tight. No one had trouble finding shirts that covered the midriff—we all figured that the bigger and baggier the shirt, the better.

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Fast forward to 2007 where fashions have morphed into short shirts, low-rise pants, and tight clothing on both top and bottom. At times, dressing yourself in something you actually like and that fits properly feels like a Herculean task

For youth, it’s even tougher—they get pressure on so many fronts to look and dress a certain way. They feel additional urgency to bend their standards “just for prom” or because “there’s nothing else out there.

But the counsel to us is clear: “Never lower your dress standards for any occasion. Doing so sends the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval and that modesty is important only when it is convenient” (For the Strength of Youth, page 14).

What can today’s women and young women do in a marketplace where revealing clothing is the norm and modest clothing is—at best—hard to find?

Follow these ten tips to take control of your wardrobe.

1. Spend time on the hunt.

Look. And look. And look. While the search may border on hair-pulling fits of frustration at times, you don’t have to lose your cool. Some modest clothing does exist out there. Try looking beyond the first rack or two. If you dig a bit, you’ll often find shirts that actually have sleeves and that cover belt loops—even at big-name chains like Target and WalMart. Once you’ve found the stores that carry styles you like, you won’t have to search quite so hard next time.

2. Speak up.

Write the store’s headquarters, letting them know how much you appreciate finding clothing you feel comfortable wearing. Encourage them to provide more of the same. If you like the styles of a store but can’t find anything that isn’t too revealing, write to the buyers and say as much. “I’d love to shop at your store if I could find shirts and shorts that are longer.”

Stores speak the language of money, and they listen to consumers. For every letter they receive, they assume hundreds of other potential customers feel the same way.

Eleven-year-old Ella Gunderson from Washington State wrote to the manager of her local Nordstrom store, expressing her dismay at finding only low rise pants and other revealing clothing and wanting styles for girls like her who don’t want to show their tummies.

The company’s response? A new, more modest clothing line. You can make similar changes by speaking up. Stores and designers will change their products only if they think such products will increase their sales.

3. Layer underneath.

Is your shirt showing your midriff? Is the neckline too low? Do the shoulders of your shirt tend to slip off? Have you washed your favorite shirt too many times and found it shrinking? A variety of clothing companies have sprung up to address these problems, specializing in camisoles, tank tops, or cap-sleeve tees long enough to layer under an outer shirt.

Layering shirts generally run several inches longer than regular ones and have higher necklines. For layering under shirts with loose shoulders, be sure to get the tee or cap sleeve style since tank or camisole styles only cover low necklines and visible midriffs.

These shirts are available through a number of retailers both in stores and online. You can find them in a variety of both neutral and vibrant colors and styles; see “Cover Up” for a listing of stores.

4. Layer on top.

If your shirt only shows skin when you bend over or reach up, solve the problem by wearing something over the shirt instead of under it. A light jacket or a long, unbuttoned blouse worn over the shorter shirt both provide fun layered looks, as can a cardigan in cooler months. A denim or more tailored jacket can also camouflage the problem.

5. Cut up those pants.

When it comes to shorts, we’re often at the mercy of national fashion designers who make them too short. Great Lengths is one company that specializes in longer shorts for LDS consumers. But for tall girls and women, even the longer versions sometimes aren’t long enough.

Since shorts often cost as much as regular pants, consider buying a pair of pants and cutting them off at the length that’s right for you, either at the knee or at capri length. A simple hem finishes the job, and you have a pair of shorts or capris that don’t look homemade.

6. Scour discount racks and thrift stores.

Clearance racks are sometimes gold mines—that’s where stores sometimes try to get rid of the less popular clothing, which, sadly, tends to be the styles with fuller coverage. Besides finding the clothing you need, you will probably save a few dollars in the process.

But some of my most successful finds have come from my local Deseret Industries. People with similar values to my own have already done the detective work to find modest clothing. After they donate items they no longer need, I can find modest designs for a great price.

7. Make easy alternations.

Instead of continuing a fruitless search, you can buy what almost works and fix it. Sometimes an alteration can be as simple as adding a panel of another fabric to raise the neckline. You can fill in sheer areas with lace or another material. Or pin a neckline together with a pretty brooch. The trick is to make the addition look natural, so it’s an intentional accent. When adding fabrics, don’t try to match the one from the article itself or it’ll look like a patch job. Sometimes you can make these kinds of additions with nothing more than safety pins or a needle and thread.

If the safety pin solution doesn’t work, you may need to pull out the sewing machine. What if getting a bigger size for longer shorts means a waistband that sends the shorts sliding off your body? Buy the larger size anyway for the length, then take in the waist at home or have a tailor do it.

What if no skirt or shirt is long enough for you? Add on to the bottom with a contrasting or complimentary fabric (again, don’t try to match it or you’ll have a poor end result). With lightweight flared skirts, if you do want a perfect match, you can buy a second matching skirt and sew it to the bottom, making a second flared layer of identical fabric.

Basic sewing skills are all you need for doing these kinds of alterations.

8. Make it from scratch.

Okay, don’t hyperventilate. This isn’t about sewing an entire wardrobe or making anything ridiculously complicated. In most cases, sewing a dress is no longer cheaper than buying it ready made. But making clothing does offer some perks that outweigh the cost.

But when special occasions arise and it’s tough to find anything modest—such as Easter or prom dresses in the spring—consider making it yourself. With a little preplanning for the sake of time, you’ll find that you enjoy creating something special that you cannot buy, and you don’t have to be a pro to do it; look for the easy but classy designs, such as those offered by Simplicity.

One of the best reasons to make your own clothing is that you can probably find a dress where you won’t have to alter the pattern at all to fit your standards. Designers generally add a variety of options so they can tout things like, “One pattern; six dresses!” The differences in each variation are usually simple but significant—like adding sleeves or making the skirt longer. (Sounds just like what you’re looking for, right?) As a result, finding modest formals and Sunday dresses tends to be easier in the pattern book than on the rack.

9. For swim wear, do your research first—or layer up.

Who hasn’t felt the need to scream when shopping for a swimsuit in a sea of bikinis? Instead of hiking through your local department store—which may have only a handful of swimsuits that fit your criteria anyway—do your homework first. Look through catalogs and advertisements for companies that carry swimsuits that don’t make you blush.

Companies like Lands’ End, Newport News, and Chadwicks have a good selection of modest, one-piece swimsuits. Some of their prices tend to be somewhat higher than others, but since the quality is also high, one of their swimsuits may last you several years at a time.

Also remember, you don’t have to rely solely on the traditional swimsuit. Try layering dark tank tops and t-shirts over a sports bra and pair them with biking shorts. Combinations like that might fit the bill when surfing or at a water park where even the most modest swimsuit could pull low in front or hike up in back.

Alternately, buy a bodysuit from companies like Girls4Sport and Ohana Swimwear. Bodysuits not only cover completely, but since the neckline on them is really high and their length is that of biking shorts, you eliminate the “tug” factor.

Other layered additions can provide additional coverage, like a cute pair of shorts or a pretty skirt from a dance wear shop.

10. Shop online from the comfort of home.

Avoid pounding the pavement until you’re exhausted and try clicking around the Internet. You may find exactly what you need, whether it’s a layering camisole, long shorts, or a prom dress. If you have several items to buy try to purchase as many of them as you can at the same time, from the same company. You’ll get a better deal and save significantly on shipping costs.

Dressing modestly is not an easy task for any of us. Hollywood and the fashion world make it as hard as they can. But it is possible to stick to your standards, beat the system, and look great in the process. The rewards are well worth it.

Shorts, Shirts, and Skirts 

On the Hip Clothing

Really long layering tees and camisoles; a greater variety of styles than many others (necklines, sleeve length, buttons, hoodies, etc.).

$12.75–$25

onthehipclothing.com  

Mod Bod

Tees and camisoles for women and girls; women’s shorts. Their shirts seem slightly longer than most. Coming soon: jewelry and other accessories.

$9.95–$34.95

themodbod.com  

LDS Grand

Layering shirts only.

$17.99

ldsgrand.com  

Funky Frum

Long shirts, dresses, and skirts. Most products are around $30. Limited sizes available.

$12.00–$214.00

funkyfrum.com  

Knee Shorts

Just as their name implies, this retailer supplies shorts that you are sure to feel totally comfortable in. Pajamas, skirts, shirts, and children’s apparel also available.

$9.99-$25.99

kneeshorts.com 

Shade Clothing

Wide variety of tees and camisoles.

$14.95–$17.95

shadeclothing.com  

Great Lengths

Although they’re known for their long shorts, they also offer shirts, skirts, and formals. Check their clearance sales. They sponsor a monthly $100 shopping spree awarded randomly from mailing list subscribers.

$11.99–$36.33

greatlengths.com        

Mika Rose

Dresses and skirts.

$34.99–$69.99

mikarose.com  

reDEFYne apparel

Cap sleeve tees, camisoles, and a “defyer band” that fits under the bra and layers under short shirts. A good option for nursing mothers.

$13.95–$18.95

redefyne.com  

Layered Look

Tees and camis, including maternity wear. Available with or without lace.

$10–$30

layeredlook.com  

Jil Designs

Skirts, camis, cap tees.

$13.99–$48.99

jildesigns.com              

Make it Modest

Sells the modesTee, a leotard-like body suit. Snaps on the bottom, so no matter how you move, you’ll never show skin. Cotton/lycra blend. Four colors.

$19.95–$34.90

makeitmodest.com 

Cover Wear

Cap and “perfect” tees, camisoles, and long-sleeve tees. Variety of colors.

$13.95–$19.95

coverwear.com 

Impel Clothing

A wide variety of modest shirts, including henleys, cap sleeves, etc. Also camisoles and tees for layering.

$14.99–$27.99

impelclothing.com 

Layers Clothing

Wide variety of modest tees. Also carries swimsuits and 2-piece tanks.  

layersclothing.com

$10–$49.99 

ModBe

Everything from layering shirts and vests, to pants, skirts, and swimwear. Includes kids’ sizes.

$15-$42  

modbe.com

Formal Dresses

 

LDS Formal Wear

Mostly used formal dresses, classified by size.

$45–$425

ldsformalwear.com 

Eternity Gowns

Formal gowns for weddings and proms.

$100-$300

eternitygowns.com 

Drezing

“Modest formals with personality.”

$50–$150

drezing.com 

Sabrina Nicole

Modest but “not from your grandma’s closet.”

$50–$200

sabrinanicole.com 

Modest by Design

Has an annual contest for teens for prom dress designs. Sells modest clothing and long shirts for laying, modest clothing for women, men, and children.

$14.95–$56.25

modestbydesign.com 

Bella Gowns

Includes a line of elegant and modest wedding dresses.

$350-$850  

bellagowns.com

Swimwear

 

Lands’ End

Their website features over 40 one-piece suits, virtually all of which fit LDS standards. They are a bit pricier, but the investment may be worth it.

$39–$95

landsend.com/swim  

Newport News

Has over 30 one-piece suits. Not all are modest, but the majority are.

$19.99–$54.99

newport-news.com 

Speedo

A smaller selection of modest suits, but some good ones.

$78–$90

speedousa.com 

Blair

About ten or so modest suits available. Most are skirted or have a “boyleg” cut.

$39.99–$44.99

blair.com 

Chadwicks

A variety of regular and skirted one-piece suits.

$19.99–$59.99

chadwicks.com 

Girls4Sport

Rashguard shirts and sport pants as well as body suits, all made for use in water sports like surfing, but they serve a dual use for modesty as well.

$30-$60

girls4sport.com  

Swim Modest

Carries swimsuit “sarongs” for women ($74.95) and girls ($49.95), SwimShirts ($9.95) for boys. Might be a bit long and cumbersome in the water, but they’re definitely modest.

swimmodest.com  

Ohana Swimwear

One-piece biking shorts-length suits for girls and women, including maternity suits.$18 (girls) to $74 (women).

ohanaswimwear.com  

Sleepwear

Many women are tired of having to wear unattractive or bulky pajamas to keep their garments covered. Check out the sites below for feminine and attractive yet modest nightgowns. 

Shadowline Sleepwear

For under $25 you can find a variety of modest and ultra-feminine nightgowns. Check out #36542, the “Reflections” nightgown for a great example.

shadowline-lingerie.com  

Orvis

Modest nightgowns; some less feminine than other sites.

$49–$129

orvis.com

Red Envelope

Silk pajamas with tops and bottoms for him and her.

$115

redenvelope.com

 

LDS Living Magazine

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