Hey Friends
I am very excited about today’s post. This was originally an old blog post from a couple years ago. Since it was published, I’ve had the opportunity to teach this material in two Sunday school classes, and I updated it for my E-Book, Radiant Modesty. The updated version is what I will be sharing with you today.
Dressing modestly can be tricky – especially during the summer when clothing styles get extremely skimpy! However, dressing modestly in the summer is still possible, it just takes a little but more effort – but trust me, it’s worth it!
I’ve learned to love and value modesty, and I hope and pray that you can learn to love and value this beautiful characteristic of godly womanhood as well.
The following list contains 26 tips to help you dress modestly in the summer (from A-Z!). However, you will soon see that these tips can be applied almost any time of year – not just during the summer!
Let’s get started!
How to Dress Modestly in the Summer
A – Ask Your Dad, Brother, or Husband
Because we don’t think like men, it is helpful to ask your Dad or even a brother about a certain outfit. They may tell you it’s fine or they might give you a tip to make the outfit more modest.
B – Be Thoughtful
Sometimes I think young women don’t dress modestly simply because they don’t think about it. Before putting on an outfit, honestly ask yourself if it’s modest and more importantly, whether or not God would be pleased with the outfit.
C – Cover Your Cleavage
I don’t know what your personal modesty standards are but please, for the sake of others and your own personal dignity, keep your cleavage covered and out of sight!
D – Dress Attractively
Christian young woman should have high standards for what they wear in terms of attractiveness and quality. A young woman should dress attractively but not to attract.
There is a difference and it is important to understand that difference. It is also important to dress in an attractive way while still being modest.
E – Embrace Your Femininity
Everyone has a different style and personality. However, in terms of dress, I believe it’s
important to lean towards the feminine side. This doesn’t mean you should wear pink all time, I
am simply saying, dress in a way that clearly states you are a woman.
F – Find Inspiration from Other Christian Women
You can get many helpful tips from older women who dress modestly and do it with some
serious style! I have come up with “new outfits” just by seeing what some other creative ladies
are doing with their wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to ask other ladies for modest outfit ideas,
clothing store recommendations, etc. Some of the ladies in my church have been a wonderful
help to me over the years!
G – Grab Sale Items
You do not have to pay top dollar for modest clothing. You can find deals from clearance racks,
online boutiques, and even Amazon. Don’t be afraid to shop at thrift stores, Goodwill, or even
yard sales!
Ask around to find out where other modest ladies are finding their clothing. I’ve found some
great new places to shop by asking for recommendations from ladies at church.
H – Hold onto Modest Standards While Swimming
It’s still possible to stay modest while swimming. There are options to make and/or buy modest swimwear or you can get creative on your own. In the past I’ve worn culottes that resemble long shorts and a dark t-shirt while swimming. It may not be the most stylish option around but at least it keeps me covered. Don’t reveal half of your body just so you can go for a swim! (By the way, there is no such thing as a modest bathing suit.)
I – Inspect Yourself in Front of the Mirror
Before leaving the house, do a little inspection in front of the mirror. Is the outfit too tight? Is it
see-through? What happens when you bend over, raise your arms above your head, or sit
down? Make sure you know if your outfit is modest before you leave the house and make the
necessary changes if it isn’t.
J – Jot Things Down
Keep an ongoing list of staple pieces you already have as well as ones you would like to have
in the future. Try to keep track of what you already own so you avoid buying similar pieces that
you don’t really need.
K – Keep Things Loose
Just because the neckline is high or the hemline is long does not mean an outfit is modest.
Some tops and skirts may adequately cover your body but if the material is so clingy you can
see every curve, you may want to rethink the modesty of your outfit. This is when it’s often
helpful to ask a man (your Dad, brother, or husband).
L – Learn to Love Length
It is best not to wear anything that comes above the knee (so the thighs are not exposed). I have learned to love long skirts. There is something very feminine and fun about wearing a long flow-y skirt. Do not be afraid to wear a long (even ankle length) skirt or dress.
>>> I love long, modest dresses like this one!
M – Make Wise Purchases
If you know a certain piece is not modest, do not even buy it in the first place. Some things can
be made modest by wearing layers, doing a little altering, or adding scarves or sweaters but
make sure you really can make something modest before purchasing it.
N – Never Skip a Bra
Seriously, this is just a bad idea. For the sake of modesty, always wear a bra.
O – Organize Your Clothing
If you go through all your clothing, you may be surprised at what you will find! Just
reorganizing your wardrobe and dresser drawers can help you come up with new ways to wear
old pieces. Go through what you own and organize your pieces into new outfits. (Take a picture
of each outfit so you don’t forget about it!)
P – Plan Ahead
Modest outfits can take a lot of planning. To avoid making rushed and possibly immodest
decisions, plan your outfits ahead of time. Plan ahead for certain occasions and consider
making it a habit to plan tomorrows outfit every night before you go to bed.
Q – Quit Comparing
It is very easy to compare clothing. Do not compare your outfit with another lady’s outfit.
Whether it’s done out of pride or jealousy, comparison is always a bad idea.
R – Refer to God’s Word
Maybe you don’t know why it’s important to dress modestly. Search God’s Word for the answers! Although there aren’t a lot of references to modesty in the Bible, the principles of
modesty are clearly seen in the Word of God. Don’t be afraid to study modesty. Find out what the Bible has to say and what that means for you and your wardrobe! (We do this in chapter
one of my Radiant Modesty E-Book, but it’s always good to study out the Bible for yourself too!)
S – Stick to the Basics
Classic colors like black, white, navy blue, and tan are super easy to dress up with more stylish
pieces. Basic skirts can be paired with patterned tops. Don’t be afraid to own several “staple”
pieces that can worn many different ways.
T – Think of Your Brothers in Christ
Even though you may think an an outfit is modest, what would a guy think? While men have
the responsibility to guard their minds, it is equally important for us to dress modestly!
U – Understand That Modesty is Honorable
When a young woman chooses not reveal her body to the world, it shows others that she honors the body God has given her. A woman also honors her husband by dressing modestly (whether she is married now or will be married in the future).
V – Value Modesty
You may have a hard time dressing modestly if you don’t value modesty. There is true value in a modest heart and a modest wardrobe. God values character and modest clothing and so do godly young men (1 Pet. 3:3-4). Learning to value modesty will motivate you to dress modestly.
W – Wear Your Clothing With Confidence
You should never feel ashamed to be covered more than others. In a world that’s always taking
more off, it definitely stands out when a woman puts more on. Don’t feel embarrassed or
ashamed about dressing modestly. Wear your modest outfits with confidence and the
knowledge that God is pleased with your modesty when it comes from the heart.
X – EXplain Your Standards
When you choose to dress modestly, it creates a wonderful opportunity for you to explain what
you believe from God’s Word. It can also lead to opportunities to share the Gospel. Besides,
what better way is there to reflect the character of your heart to the world around you?
Y – Yield to Authority
Even though dress is a personal choice, it is always right to obey the standards and principles
found in God’s Word. It is also important to yield to those in authority such as your parents,
husband, or pastor (as long as their standards do not go against God’s Word). Do not complain
about the dress standards set by others. Understand that those in authority have set standards
for good reasons and have done so with your best interest (and the interest of others) in mind.
Z – Dress with Zeal
Get excited about dressing modestly! It truly is a good thing. Even though it can take a lot of
work, dressing modestly can be a lot of fun. Get excited about dressing modestly and it will be
so much easier to stay modest this summer!
Want to Learn More?
Modesty is such a fun and important topic – but there’s a lot involved! In my new E-Book, I explain in depth, the most important modesty topics, plus give tips and tricks to help you dress modestly. In my E-Book you will learn why matters matters + how YOU can dress modestly too.
Before You Go…
May is “modesty month” here on the blog… in case you missed them, here are my previous posts on modesty:
- My Favorite Books on Modesty
- The Radiant Modesty E-Book is Here!
- Three Reasons Why Modesty Matters Today
Now, I want to hear from YOU!
How do you dress modestly in the summer? Share your tips + ideas in the comments! ♥
A piece of advice given to me was make sure every outfit is “Lovely, long, loose and layered.” For the summer, I have several thinner jackets that I can wear over tops/dresses. They are short sleeved, thick enough not to show through and thin enough not to overheat! Also, shoes are important, as your feet help control your body temperature. Definitely be careful in the shoes you pick, but a nice pair of flip-flops or sandels can dress up an outfit and are much cooler than tennis shoes; )
Great tips – I love the advice about outfits that are “lovely, long, loose, and layered.” I never heard that before, but that’s a helpful tip.
Oh yes… my feet NEED to breathe I could live in sandals and flip flops, but I try not to wear them to church on Sundays. I should get a nice pair of sandals that are more fitting for church! 🙂
Good point!
I was actually just reading this post (from when you last posted it) the other day! You have some good points. Thanks for sharing!
Haha sometimes I wonder how often people read my old posts 😉
There are a lot of good points here! I actually read the post that you copied this from a couple of days ago, if I remember right, but I like the things that you added. 🙂
I would have to say that there is such a thing as a modest bathing suit, however, but you probably won’t be able to find it at a store. 🙂 My mom has been making modest swim suits that look like dresses for me for several years, and they are very nice! You can find the fabric at local craft stores, although it’s usually pricey, unfortunately. Just a tip! 🙂
Yes! I have seen modest swim outfits that are specially made. I guess I just wouldnt classify them as a swim suit! But I know exactly what you mean 😊
Good tips Rebekah! Thanks for sharing. It seems I need constant tips. I often dress modestly but really struggle with making it feminine, and ‘attractive’.
Yes – it can be hard to do! I struggle with my “everyday” outfits the most – Church is easier!
Love your post. I agree church is easy. But it is hard to dress modestly in skirts and still be casual and not feel too dressed up. I’m not a big fan of jean skirts personally. I feel like they can restrictive. It can be hard to move around in them unlike the loose fit of maxi skirts and dresses.
I began wearing skirts most of the time just a few years ago, and once I did, I became very uncomfortable with the average bathing suit. I wanted to share my solution in case it helps someone. I bought a exercise shirt, bra, and pair of knee length shorts from Walmart. Very affordable, made from quick drying material. Then I made a simple A-line skirt with similar material from the fabric store.. no need to hem or even make a waist, just two side seams. I felt a little funny at first as I got used to being different, but now I love it because I know I can be completely comfortable and modest in any setting and in front of anyone while still enjoying the water.
Hi Sheila,
This is very helpful – thank you so much for taking the time to share this! It’s also neat to hear how you made the transition!
Rebekah
I’m just wondering could you clarify your statement “A young woman should dress attractively but not to attract” for me? I’m confused on what you mean and how one could achieve an attractive outfit without attracting attention from men.
Yes! Good question!! We should dress attractively as in wear nice, quality clothing (not dowdy or frumpy) but we should not try to attract men with clothing that is tight, short, skimpy, etc. I hope this makes sense!
I purchased modest swimwear through Modli.com ..there is also hydrochic and other websites available but it is swimwear that goes to your knees or lower if you wish and tank style tshirt and longsleeve shirt style tops
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Jesus
Best for travelers thanks for share with it…
The way you’ve explained the tips on summer fashion is so adorable. When I look for modest clothing in summer I just keep one thing on the top that it should be comfortable. And skirts and midi dresses are on the top in my priority list.
This has been a drastic transformation for me when it comes to dressing modestly. I actually cringe when I think of what I used to wear. The skinpier the better. Praise God.
very amazing blog and well defined.