Dressing modestly … does that term make you think of Mormons, or prudish librarian types with pinched lips and no real sense of style?
I’m neither (though I once did work in a library!) – and yet I still like to dress modestly.
Some people are comfortable with just letting it all hang out … I am not one of them. I don’t want to have any wardrobe malfunctions, thanks very much (unlike my famous namesake, Janet Jackson!).
I prefer to make sure that people don’t accidentally cop an eyeful of my boob, or my knickers.
Sometimes it feels like the fashion industry is working against people like me. It can be a real challenge if you are interested in dressing modestly – yet stylishly!
5 Fashion Tips for Dressing Modestly
- Padded bra – Maybe I’m a prude but I really DON’T like my nipples to be obvious, so I prefer to wear something like a t-shirt bra. That way, nobody knows if my headlights are on!
- Camisoles – I find black is most practical but I do have other colours too. I buy mine from SES Fashion for all of $4 or $5 each. These are great for filling in low necklines, but also for wearing under sheer or lace tops.
- Bike pants or leggings – If you are worried that people will be able to see what you had for breakfast when you bend over, may I suggest you wear bike pants underneath your skirt, or style it up with some leggings?
- Belly band/bandeau – I have two in black, and one in white. These can be used as a belly band – ie under your shirt, but over the top of your shorts or jeans, to hide that dreaded muffin top or your midriff region in general. Or, hitch it up over your boobs and it fills in a low neckline nicely. You can buy them from fashion stores like Supre.
- Stick on boobs – I have a couple of dresses that are very strappy and even a strapless bra is not really an option. Although I could just ditch the bra altogether, I feel much more comfortable with my sticky boobs on. They were just $15 from Cosmetics Plus, and give me a little bit more lift and hide the headlights too! 😉
And just to prove that these tips really do work: I debated before buying this blue maxi dress as although I loved it, I felt it exposed a bit too much flesh. However, with the help of #2 and #5, I feel confident, comfortable and hopefully look good too when I wear it!
See for yourself …
So there you have my top tips for preventing embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, and dressing modestly …
Do you have any other tried and true methods to share?!
You are rockin that blue dress Janet! I use a lot of those tricks for keeping things modest, you can use boy leg knickers also for feeling comfy in short dresses. I also use a thin singlet/cami from Sussan’s if I don’t have a bandeau on hand. Great tips
Ta Lisa, so sweet of you to say so. Miss 17 wears boy legs at times for the same reason you mentioned … I don’t really wear short skirts much these days!
You look GORGEOUS in that maxi dress. I love maxis and you make it look pretty, feminine and modest all at the same time. Great colour too. I’m definitely a fan of the padded bra. I have boxes and boxes of breast-pads and they do the trick too. Not that I’d suggest going off and buying them if you don’t need them … not very economical!
Thanks for the compliment Lizzy! Great use for breast pads when you are no longer breastfeeding too!
Very useful tips, Janet. As a well endowed lady, I find that I tend to ‘hang out’ of any strappy numbers, so I have resorted to wearing higher necked shift dresses. They are much more flattering and I don’t have to worry about having ‘the girls’ out on display! I like your suggestion of wearing a bandeau or boob tube underneath a strappy dress. I will have to give it a try.
Yes I must admit it would be even more of a challenge for those who are more well endowed than I … would love to hear any tips!
I have picked up some great tips, like you I don’t wear anything that causes me to flash. Your dress looks awesome and yes I would wear a camisole as I see you are under that dress to. Rae xxx
I wore this to a Christmas party today, and it was so nice to relax and not worry about a wardrobe malfunction! 😉