Redefining Modest

Why does it seem like the word modest when used in relation to a woman’s dressing style lets off a negative connotation in our culture? Modest dressing is mistakenly synonymous with being conservative, boring, and lacking style. For those of us that opt for more modest pieces in our wardrobe we know it is not any of these things but perhaps our lack of options sometimes leaves much to be desired in how we express our style. Modest dressing can in fact be stylish, figure flattering, and not simply reduced to oversized clothing to keep everything covered.  The issue is the lens with which our culture frames how a woman should dress and this is easily reflected in what is found in stores. Stylish modest options are hard to come by because they are drowned out by the much less modest counterparts. Somewhere along the line cleavage baring tops, shorter hemlines, and tighter fits to cling to every nook of the body became the norm. But every woman needs to ask herself if these styles are really what she wants to be wearing or is this just what is available? Some women might be okay with dressing in these clothes and that is their choice. Likewise, it is our choice to dress modestly and I feel we should do so with confidence. We should make a statement with our clothing that choosing to dress modestly by no means cloaks our strength and our radiance. 

Perhaps more women are coming to realize that dressing more modestly is an empowering choice. Take for example, the Norwegian beach handball team who opted to trade their bikini bottoms for shorts, or the German gymnastics olympic team choosing unitards instead of leotards. In either case the idea is to shift the attention to the athleticism on display, not the bodies on display. Ultimately, it comes down to what each woman is comfortable in and if that means modest dress, then the more power to you!