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When you hear the phrase ‘modest fashion’, you might think of frumpy grandma style, but you couldn’t be more wrong.
The truth is, modest clothes can be young, fun and trendy — and you can find them in any style, whether you’re looking for professional workwear, wedding guest outfits, or even workout gear.
There are a lot of reasons why people may decide to dress modestly, ranging from religious to personal. The most important thing is that people feel comfortable and confident in their clothes.
So read on to discover all you need to know about the burgeoning trend.
Our favourite modest clothing
What is considered modest fashion?
Modest fashion is all about dressing in a way that doesn’t reveal too much skin or accentuate your body shape too much.
What is considered modest fashion can differ from person to person — typically depending on the reason behind why you’re following the trend.
But in general, it consists of high necklines, covered arms and legs and somewhat loose-fitting silhouettes. For example, a super-tight bodycon fit (even when full length) is generally not considered modest.
This means items like maxi dresses, jeans, blouses and blazers will quickly become staples in your wardrobe that you can mix and match for different occasions.
Photo: Pexels
If you’re just starting out on your modest fashion journey, you might think you need to start your wardrobe from scratch, but that’s actually not the case.
For example, if you have a short dress that you love and don’t want to part with, try styling it with some leggings, or even some jeans — we think you’d be surprised how many items you’ll be able to hang onto.
For shirts or dresses where the top section would be considered non-modest, try wearing a basic long-sleeve top under it, or layering with a cool jumper or cardigan. Experiment with your style, and we think you’ll be pleased with the outcome.
What are the best modest fashion brands?
There are a ton of modest fashion brands — some completely dedicated to the trend, and some who have a mix of modest and non-modest clothing. We’ve narrowed down a few of our favourites, and picked a few pieces from each.
So read on to discover your next favourite modest fashion brands.
Aab
Aab is a premium modest fashion brand dedicated to making high quality, on-trend clothes for women who dress modestly. We think they shine in their everyday basic pieces, making great items for home and work.
Photo: John Lewis
Aab Mono Stripe Maxi Dress
There’s a lot we love about this floor length maxi dress from Aab. From the uniform stripes to the flowy fabric, we think it should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe.
Great for a day of errands or a day in the office, we love the versatility of this piece. The contrasting buttons draw the eye, and we love the non-committal nature of the tie belt, so you can cinch in at the waist as much (or as little) as you want.
You can easily dress this piece up a bit as well with a pair of strappy heels or mules.
Photo: Next
Aab Loose Fit Shirt Dress
A loose fit shirtdress can be one of the best modest items to have in your wardrobe — there are tons of ways to style them for all seasons, and the style is generally timeless.
Made from 100% cotton, this breathable shirtdress will keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. (What more could you ask for?) This one also has a removable belt, allowing you to choose how much you want to accentuate your waist.
Wear it with jeans and trainers for a casual, everyday vibe, or tights and some heeled boots to bring in the autumnal vibes — helped by the beautiful rust colour!
Photo: John Lewis
Aab Satin Slim Leg Trousers
Perfect for day and night, these satin trousers are an essential for everybody practising modest fashion.
The slim fit of these trousers is flattering to a wide range of body types, and the satin material will be cooling in the summer — great for when you want to stay cool but don’t want your bare legs on display! We also love the slightly cropped hems on these trousers, allowing you to wear a variety of shoes from heels to boots to trainers.
The deep black colour makes these trousers great for trying bold prints or colours on top as well.
Daska
For us, Daska has some of the best modest partywear. The brand is full of interesting textures, bright colours, and modern, funky patterns making it great for those who love a bold look without showing too much skin.
Photo: ASOS
Daska Co-Ord in Green
Top
Trousers
This co-ord from Daska is everything we love about the brand. The bold funky pattern feels modern and fresh, and this two-piece set offers great versatility, perfect for both day and night.
While we love the top and trousers together, we also think they’ll look fabulous worn by themselves — pair the shirt with some fit and flare jeans to keep the same modest silhouette, and we’re obsessed with the thought of pairing the trousers with a vest top and blazer combo.
Photo: ASOS
Daska Cowl Neck Embellished Maxi Dress in Silver
If you’re looking for a modest New Year's dress, look no further than this one from Daska. Consisting of thousands of iridescent sequins, you’re sure to draw attention and turn heads at your event. It would even make a fabulous modest prom dress!
This dress cinches at the waist, and the split hem gives the dress an effortlessly feminine vibe — the only problem we think you’ll have is forcing yourself to take it off!
Photo: ASOS
Daska Suit Co-Ord in Orange
Blazer
Trousers
Elevate your work wardrobe with this stunning Daska suit co-ord. We absolutely love the unique silhouette of the wrap blazer which will help brighten up any boring office day. The padded shoulders add a little 80’s flair that we’re absolutely obsessed with.
And while we’re in love with the blazer, the trousers are simply to die for. The high rise and ultra wide leg are sure to be flattering on a wide variety of body types, and we could easily see these trousers taking you from the office to a night out on the town.
LEEM
We love the variety of styles at LEEM — from workwear, to partywear to your much needed holiday outfits, we tend to think of them as a one-stop-shop brand for all your modest fashion needs.
Photo: Selfridges
Slim-Fit Long-Sleeved Stretch-Mesh Top
Long sleeve tops are an item that anyone who follows modest fashion knows the importance of, and the mesh sleeves take this top from a little drab to fab.
Made from 93% bamboo, this top not only looks timeless, but it’s also made from responsible materials. Wear with jeans and clean trainers for an elevated casual look, or pair with a maxi skirt and heels for date night or special occasion — it’s a really versatile item that you can’t help but reach for.
Photo: Selfridges
Tie-Neck Pleated-Skirt Crepe Maxi Dress
Heading to a wedding or graduation soon? If so, then why not go for this lovely maxi dress from LEEM?
We always love the crepe material on maxi dresses — it’s effortlessly feminine, light, airy and pretty much looks fabulous on everyone.
The self-tie neck fastening is super cute (go for a relaxed knot or girly bow), and the wide sleeves help keep the dress ultra-modest. Even better, the fitted waist and pleated skirt will help give great movement and shape while on the dancefloor.
Photo: Selfridges
Multicoloured Stripe-Pattern Woven Maxi Kaftan
It can be difficult to find modest clothes to wear on holiday — after all, you don’t want to be stuck in stuffy clothes all day with the sun beating down on you.
That’s why we love this multi-coloured kaftan from LEEM. There are tons of hidden details like the bright yellow buttons down the sleeves, or the bead-embellishment at the neckline that help make this a piece you won’t be able to forget.
Wear it as a beach coverup, or to dinner and drinks out at night — the choice is yours!
Warehouse
Not everything from Warehouse will fit into the modest fashion aesthetic, but there are some hidden gems we would have been remiss to not include in this wrapup.
Photo: Warehouse
Cord Spot Printed Pinafore Midi Dress
You save £69 (77.53%)£89
How cute is this pinafore dress? The contrasting polka dot patterns will undoubtedly make you stand out from the crowd, and since you can change which top you wear under the dress, there are tons of ways to wear it.
Wear with a chunky knit jumper to keep warm in the winter, or with a short sleeve top and light cardigan for a cute summer outfit — also pair with some black chunky boots and you’ve got yourself a fabulous outfit!
Photo: Warehouse
Denim Boiler Suit
You save £8.70 (30%)£29
Boiler suits are probably the easiest modest fashion piece to wear — they’re super on trend so you can find them everywhere, and they just look cool.
We especially love this light denim one. Made of 100% cotton, it’s not going to feel tight and constricting like denim often can — and the inclusion of the removable tie belt allows you to choose how loose you want the waist to be.
Photo: Warehouse
Slash Neck Long Sleeve Top
You save £6.60 (30%)£22
Plain, long sleeve tops are an essential for everyone onboard the modest fashion train.
You can dress them up and down, and we’re not exaggerating when we say they go with everything. We love the slightly wider slash neckline of this top, and we think it will add a contemporary edge to any outfit.
This top is part of Warehouse’s ‘Ready For The Future’ range, which are made with responsibly sourced materials (in this case, viscose) to protect the world’s rainforests.
COS
If you’re looking for that monochromatic, just-walked-off-the-runway vibe, then COS might just be the answer to your prayers. With clean lines, a simple colour palette and a little edge, we love the wide range of modest pieces they have.
Photo: COS
Flared Ribbed-Panel Midi Skirt
A knitted midi skirt is a staple in many of our winter wardrobes — and it’s safe to say that we’re a little obsessed with this one from COS.
The contrasting plain and ribbed panels draw the eye to the subtle flared hem (which we think is begging to be paired with some chunky boots or loafers).
With an elasticated waistband and no meddlesome zip, this skirt is sure to remain comfortable all day. For extra comfort, pair it with the matching knitted top for an uber-sophisticated look.
Photo: COS
Denim Cargo Trousers
We don’t expect (or hope) that the cargo pants trend will be leaving us anytime soon, so why not hop on board with these cool denim ones?
They’re an elevated version of the fabric ones you typically see, and the wide-leg and dark wash denim gives them a distinct 90’s vibe.
For the modest street style, we would pair these cool trousers with an oversized hoodie and some trainers.
Nike
Workout gear and swimwear are clothing items where it’s hard to be completely modest, but Nike have done a brilliant job at making pieces where those who like to be modest can move freely and confidently while they’re active. Another plus is that they’re pretty size-inclusive as well, generally going up to a UK size 26 — great for plus size gals looking for comfy clothing.
Photo: Nike
Nike Victory Women's Full-Coverage Swimwear
Tunic
Leggings
To put it simply, if you don’t want to show any skin while swimming, you need one of these sets from Nike.
We love that the tunic has long sleeves (with a handy hole to put your thumb through to keep them down as you swim) and that the zip neck makes it easy to put on (and tuck in the Nike swim hijab if you wear one)..
The loose fit of the leggings is perfect for those who don’t want to wear tight clothes (but don’t worry, they won’t ride up) — while still giving you the freedom to move comfortably through the water.
Photo: Nike
Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece Women's High-Waisted Oversized Tracksuit Bottoms
These cute oversized joggers come in a variety of colours and are great for both the gym and everyday casual wear.
Made from fleece material, they’re sure to keep you warm and cosy through the winter and any gym sessions, and the oversized fit makes them perfect for lovers of modest fashion.
The thick waistband makes these bottoms look even cosier and means they won’t ride up or down when walking.
Photo: Nike
Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece Women's Over-Oversized Crew-Neck Sweatshirt
For those who prefer to keep their arms covered, a good sweatshirt is an everyday essential — they’re perfect for the gym and casual wear.
Made with Nike’s cosy brushed fleece material, this sweatshirt is sure to keep you comfortable during the colder months.
We’re a huge fan of the colour range as well — between the neutrals like white, grey and black, to the more fun colours like teal and pink, we’re sure there’s one for you.
Our verdict: What are the best modest fashion pieces?
We think it’s clear at this point that there are tons of trendy modest clothing options out there — you don’t have to sacrifice your style at all! If we had to pick a few favourites out of the bunch, it would have to be:
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Slash Neck Long Sleeve Top: An essential in everyone's modest wardrobe, we think this is one of the most versatile pieces you could get. Wear with skirts, jeans, or even under a non-modest dress — plus the range of colours is great!
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Daska Cowl Neck Embellished Maxi Dress: We all need a little glitz and glamour in our lives sometimes, and this dress certainly fits that vibe. Wear to a special event this year and you’re sure to turn heads in every corner.
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Denim Cargo Trousers: These uber-trendy jeans should be in everyone's closet, whether you’re a fan of modest fashion or not — they just look effortlessly cool.