Modesty Part 2: Shopping Modestly in a Non-Modest World.

Another great chick-flick. 

I recently hosted a 'modesty night' to a group of young women that asked me to help them with this topic. One of them asked a question that reminded me of how I used to wonder the very same thing, "How are we supposed to find modest clothing, that we like, when out shopping? It seems that all I find is immodest apparel that I would never wear." I remember as a teen and young college girl believing this very same thing, that trendy, likable, modest clothing was incapable to be found when shopping in regular stores found at the mall and other places. Finally it hit me around age 20 or 21, it is VERY possible and quite easy and simple to shop modestly.

How? You need to gradually train your mind to know what to look for and how to put together an outfit with a little help from your imagination...

Step 1. Tunnel Vision: Have you ever noticed that when you are interested in a specific something, say a type of car, that suddenly you see that kind of car everywhere? When we focus our mind on a particular 'item' we form what I call "tunnel vision", where our eyes/mind block out everything else around the item allowing us to quickly see, find, and focus on that one thing. Like when we are driving through a tunnel, all we see is what is right in front of us, everything else is darkened and impairs our visual picture except what we are to focus on. So, when shopping put on your tunnel vision and seek out only those obvious modest pieces. Don't allow any of the other things you see to get in the way, if you notice something ridiculous, quickly bounce your eyes off of it and focus them back into what you are looking for.

Over a short amount of time it will start to come naturally to you to find these items and it won't be so tough to seek them out. Then you can move on to...

Step 2: Train your brain to visualize an outfit. Seek out an item of clothing that alone is what you would consider immodest and focus on it. Then try to imagine what can be done to make it into a modest outfit.

Examples:

This dress is cute, but immodest. All you need to do is place a camisole or snap-to-your-bra cloth of some kind (maybe a white or light brown color) underneath to bring the neck-line higher. Then visualize it with a jean jacket.

It may push the length limits on some, if that's the case then simply wear skinny jeans or leggings underneath. Personally, I think a white or cream pair of skinny jeans would be perfect.

This is extremely immodest. But, it can be used as something under a v-neck of some kind, OR you can wear it with a high wasted skirt and a belt to cover any skin that may be between the top and skirt. Then finish it off with a jacket OR put a cardigan on and then the belt over it. Can you imagine the outfit I've designed? This crop top is then turned into a kind of 'undershirt/camisole', like how we would wear a dickie.

These skirts are too short to be worn on their own. But the right color of leggings or skinny jeans can make a really cute outfit.

I love long sweaters, especially when they are worn like this. This lady did the whole thing right. She kept it simple, not too gaudy or too much going on, and the colors flow well together.

There are such things as immodest skinny jeans and leggings even when worn under something. Make sure that you can grab and pinch fabric from your legs when wearing them, if you can't then they are too tight.

I love lace. But it can definitely push the limits of modesty sometimes. This gorgeous lace tunic would look beautiful with a light brown or cream color long sleeved shirt, turtleneck, or camisole underneath it...not nude, black or white (white would take away from seeing the lace).

Lace can look very sexual, something we don't want to be unless in the bedroom with our husband, so make sure that your lace is layered over something in a very classy and soft fashion.

This woman's lace was done right and looks so classy and attraction on her. All she needs is a string of lovely pearls.







*If you need help with visualizing an outfit and having some 'imagination', then just ask another girlfriend to go and help you. 
*Try things on. There have been many of times that I looked at something and thought it was dog-ugly, but then I would give in to my curiosity and try it on and it would end up looking so dern cute and my mind about it changed. So go out of your box and try something different on.


Step 3: Combine your new shopping mind with your wisely chosen budget and you are set.

Mixing Style with Modestly/Rules of the Game.
How to Have a Guilt-Free Shopping Spree

If we allow ourselves to get overwhelmed by all the clutter when shopping and we don't give ourselves a little 'imagination' then yes, it would be difficult to find a modest and cute outfit. But with some tunnel vision, some imagination, and a good budget then it is very possible to walk into your door feeling successful after an afternoon of shopping. Go out of your box.