Modest Clothing for Women

Resources for Modest Clothing and Books on Christian Modesty and a Special Section on Swimsuits

Updated January 28, 2010

See Also: The Apron: Garment of the Domestic Vocation  and Veils and Mantillas for Modesty in Church

A few years ago, Catholic author Colleen Hammond wrote "Dressing with Dignity" a book about the need for feminine modesty, how to achieve it, and why it's so necessary. It quickly became a "must read" in many traditional Catholic circles.

For the most part, Hammond was preaching to the choir. Traditional Catholic women already know about modesty. Other Catholic women, however, might sense that there's something amiss in the way women dress for Church . And they're right. Many of these women, however, are missing the point. It's not just about how we dress at Church. It's how we dress everywhere, even within the home and what we do to convey the feminine mystery through modesty.

We can only speak for our own parish, which is located in a seaside community and some of the fashion choices are truly hair raising. 

I don't think I will ever forget an adult confirmation during a Sunday Mass. The young woman and her sponsor both wore Indian style halter tops that ended under the bust line. These were paired with see-through gauze skirts that settled low on the hips, leaving the entire abdominal area bare. Oh. I forgot to mention. The young woman being confirmed was about seven months pregnant.

No one said a word to either of them.

We can, however, maintain an appropriate level of modest dress wherever we go, particularly in Church.  Our Lady of Fatima said, "Certain fashions will offend Our Lord very much."  While she wasn't specific, we can't help but wonder how she would feel about women who have completely abandoned feminine dress in favor of a wardrobe consisting entirely of slacks. While they have their place, perhaps, it still makes us cringe to see "extraordinary ministers" dressed in t-shirts and slacks in the sanctuary.

The tide seems to be turning, and young women are beginning to find dresses appealing once again. Girls Gone Mild - Moving Away from Trashy to Classy indicates a trend to modesty among young women.

Nonetheless, until the modesty revolution filters down to the local department stores, it can be difficult finding clothing that flatters while it covers -- and doesn't make you look like someone who has just stepped off a gypsy caravan.

We've put together some resources for modest clothing that are affordable and easy to care for. These are not our products, but if you use the links here, they'll know we sent you.

Resources for Modest Clothing

If you've gone shopping recently you'll know that it's tough finding feminine clothing that isn't too revealing but that also doesn't make you look like you're wearing a feed sack or your grandmother's housecoat.  And chances are, if you do find something pretty, it will cost much more than a good Catholic woman should pay.

Here are a few resources that come recommended by friends and family. Be sure to look in the clearance sections of each. You'll be surprised at the markdowns. You can visit them by clicking on the logo or ad to the left. The images to the right are a sampling of what you'll find. If we find coupon codes, we'll enter them. 

Rabbit Rabbit Dress with Shawl

Alfred Dunner Floral Print Skirt

Notations Dot Print Skirt

Shawls and Pashimas are always great to have to cover up for extra modesty and to keep warm

Shawl with Sleeves

Pashima Shawl with Beaded Fringe

Spring Pashima

Belted Flared Dress

Floral Wrap Pocket Dress

Jacquard Cape Jacket

Maxi Long Dress

Plaid Belted Lucy Dress

Surrounding Dancing Skirt

Lots of classic modest looks with many under $29.99. Take your time and browse through their site. Easy to shop by theme and size. Usually free shipping, too!

Hounds Tooth Jumper

Two Piece Dress

Classic Faille Dress

My Shape is a fun site to shop. Look by designer, by outfit, by style. Young women will love it

A German company that produces all organic fiber clothing. Beautiful, too!

Enter M1U001 for Free Shipping

Enter MVD221 for 10% off and free shipping - ends 2/15/10

Organic Cotton Skirt

Wool Jersey Dress

Pure Wool Dress

Lots of trendy dresses in plus sizes for women and juniors. Scroll through to pass the sleeveless ones - or pair them with a cardigan.

Bedford Fair offers a wide variety of modest clothing that will appeal to any age and need. Get 15% off orders over $60 and free shipping, too!

Pretty Crocheted Cardigans

Feminine Skirts in Modest Lengths

Casual and Dressy Dresses

Several selections for classic looks. Worth a look. Don't get involved with their credit term program.

Feminine, Modest, Reasonable Cost Don't miss the special section for long length dresses

Lots of affordable outfits. Don't miss their clearance sale 85% off

Whether you're looking for something elegant or a more casual look, you'll find it at Old Pueblo at a great price

Willow Ridge has a wide range of beautiful, feminine and affordable modest clothing.  There's free shipping with the code above and 15% off orders over $60.

Lots of jumpers which are popular with traditional moms

Colorific Tee Dress is available in three color combinations. Under $25

This denim jumper is a favorite of moms on the go and college girls, too.

The clean classic look of a hounds tooth jumper doesn't go out of style. Only $29.99 before discounts

Knit Button Front Dress is so feminine and is the most beautiful turquoise

   Swimwear and Cover Ups

The Ultimate Catholic Modesty Conundrum

I get a lot of mail every single day.

Most is positive, some offers constructive criticism, but the most controversial topic on this entire website seems to be swimsuits. 

Here's an example:

Dear Catholic Home and Garden, 

I stumbled upon your website, and am most interested in modesty in dress, but...  these swimsuits you advertise as modest are not. 

Please look into Meant to Be Modest or Wholesome Wear for truly modest swimwear.  Not all their ready-made is long enough for the legs or arms, but these can be altered to accommodate the modest buyer.

I would also like to politely take issue with the skirts that just hit the knee and the short-sleeves and V-necks on the tops.  I didn't see Church rules for modesty right away, and since we're talking about raising the bar on modesty (and the pendulum has swung oh, so far), ladies should consider

St. Padre Pio's rules for skirt and dress lengths:  8" below the knee.  That's 8" below the bottom of the kneecap.  He lived in our times and women followed his rules -- if they wanted to receive his advice or absolution. 

Wouldn't we do the same -- to save our souls and see God?

Thank you for your kind consideration!

In Maria,

C M

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know I'm probably going to regret this,

but what do you think?

Email me

Dear C.M., 

Thank you for writing. I wanted to take my time in replying to you in order to provide a complete and thoughtful response. 

First, regarding the swimsuits.  We live in a beach community and there is a very active culture of swimming and lifeguard activity here.  Perhaps by St. Pio’s standards the swim suits on my website not modest, but let me assure you that by the standards of what one sees on beaches, they are extremely modest. I am familiar with the sites you mentioned, but must say that individuals dressed in this manner would not be permitted into the waters in our ocean or into the pools simply due to safety concerns. In a nutshell, they would drown.  Perhaps they would be best suited for use as wading garments in calm ponds or streams, but then, why bother to use a suit at all? You could simply wade in your dress.

There is another issue.  If one does choose to go to a public beach dressed in this manner, you would still be exposed to the multitude of others who are dressed in a most indecent manner.  Unless one has a very firm grip in the area of custody of the eyes, it is best not to go to these beaches at all. 

Regarding the length of dress, I agree and have provided many links to long dresses that reach to the ankle.  Again, there is another consideration.  Many women work outside the home, as teachers, as nurses, in offices and in shops.  This is a necessity, as much as many might prefer otherwise. It is a fact of life in these modern days borne of necessity.  Wearing floor length or 8” below the knee skirts and dresses simply is not acceptable in many of these settings. That is not to say that one cannot wear an attractive if slightly shorter than floor length dress and still maintain modesty. A great deal of modesty is found in the wearer and not the garment.

Wearing a dress that covers most of the arm – at least to the elbow in many traditional circles – and that does not plunge too low is acceptable to most traditional Catholics.  One can always add a scarf, a shawl, or a cardigan for extra cover up.  A dress that comes at least to the middle of the knee is acceptable as well for office wear although I know many teachers and others who do wear longer skirts with no problem. 

The tide is changing for many back to a more modest garb, but the truth is, these are very difficult items to find.  There is a sensible common ground between dressing like a pilgrim and dressing in an indecent manner, and the resources to do that is what I have attempted to provide. 

God bless,

Christine

Personally, I think these swimsuits are dangerous for ocean swimming. And while it is just my opinion, they look just plain weird.

But if this is what you are looking for you'll find the links under the images at the left.

For the rest of us, I've provided modern swimsuit links below.

And that's the end of the swimsuit discussion please

Meant to Be Modest

Wholesome Wear

The Burqini

Swimsuits for All has lovely choices for everyone larger than size 8

Also Mastectomy Suits

Coupons:

$5 Gift Certificate Use 5gift

Free Ground Shipping

Use FreeGroundShip

or ShipFree

Longitude with Free Sarong

Flower Power Halter Skirtini

Two Piece Skirtini

Check Back for Coupons

or

Sign up for Sales & 10% Off img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-2132451-10439625" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>

Skirtini Swimwear Bottom

Double Delight Swim Dress

Zebra Empire Swim Dress

Always for Me has a variety of plus size swim suits. If some of the necklines plunge too much consider tacking them closed a bit

Folkloric Drawstring Swimdress

Delta Burke Swimdress

Maui Tunic Cover Up

Fashion Specialists is offering 10% off your entire order - no minimum

T.H.E. Swimwear Empire-Waist Swimdress

Vented Tankini Top

Nikki Wior Dot Swimdress

Floral Print Swim Dress .

Empire Waist Swim Dress

Two Piece Skirtini

Blair has a lot of affordable clothing, but the nice part is the $1.99 shipping!

Surplice Skirt Swimsuit

Lots of Tankini tops and skirts

Many new patterns