As a teenager, shopping for clothing was a challenge! Finding clothing that was within my budget, fit my style and taste, and fit within my parent’s modesty standards was downright hard at times… many frustrations and tears were spilled at the end of fruitless shopping trips.
But guess what? I made it to the other side…. and I survived!
Looking back and looking ahead, I am so, so, grateful. I’m grateful for…
- The modesty standards my parents set in our home.
- My Pastor and Sunday School teachers who chose to do the hard (and uncomfortable!) task of teaching us why modesty is important.
- My husband who values and appreciates modesty – and guides me with his input and encouragement. He’s literally the BEST! ♥
- All the other women out there who are championing modesty and sharing it’s value with others – you’re a blessing to me and so many others!
- Last but not least, I am grateful for all the new options that have opened up for those of us searching high and low for modest clothing! Thanks to the internet and others who desire to dress modestly, we have so many more options available to us now!
Today, this post is for those of you who want to dress modestly but are struggling to find modest clothing options. I have known the struggle (and sometimes it’s still a struggle) but it’s certainly gotten easier!
So, you desire to dress modestly, but where do you start? Where do you even find modest clothing?
The following list is just a few simple, tried and true tips for finding modest clothing. At the end I will share some websites and other resources too!
How to Find Modest Clothing
Tip #1: Check Your Local Thrift Shops
Want to know a little secret? Half of my wardrobe (especially my skirts) has come from a thrift shop. In fact, just the other week I found a very nice denim skirt at a thrift shop near my home. The thrift shop was running a discount sale and I snagged the denim skirt for just $1.00!
My best tip for finding modest clothing at a thrift shop? Check often.
There have been times where I’ve gone to a thrift shop and just haven’t found a thing. But then on my next trip I might find several skirts or tops. Typically, I will find just one to three clothing items on a given trip to a thrift shop.
Most consignment/thrift shops add new items on a daily basis. If you start stopping by a couple times a month you’re bound to find a few things here and there. Just a few staple pieces can add up to wardrobe with lots of modest options.
Tip #1 is to check your local thrift shops. If you don’t know of any, do a search on google. You should be able to find a couple near you.
Tip #2: Ask Other Ladies at Church
Is there someone at church who has a modest style you love? Ask her where she shops and finds modest clothing. In the past, other ladies at church have given me helpful suggestions for finding modest clothing. I’ve also been blessed by being the recipient of hand-me-down outfits from ladies who have similar modesty standards.
So, the next time you’re at church, look around and identify a few ladies who you can talk to about modest clothing. They probably have some great tips and favorite stores to recommend.
Remember, we are supposed to be learning from Titus 2, women, so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Tip #3: Check Kohl’s Clearance Racks
Do you have a Kohl’s near you? Check their clearance racks!
Since moving near a Kohl’s and occasionally checking their clearance racks, I have been able to find several modest tops, a few sweaters, and even a modest dress. Many of their clearance items are under $10 a piece. I’ve even been able to find nice tops for just $3 a piece! That’s a hard bargain to beat!
If you have a Kohl’s near you, be sure to check out their clearance racks the next time you visit. (There are usually more deals when the season changes.)
(One other place I want to mention is Ross Dress for Less… I’ve found several skirts there in recent months – they also have a large selection of dresses. Sometimes the quality isn’t the best, but their prices are affordable.)
Tip #4: Try It On Before You Buy (In Stores)
Sometimes a piece of clothing looks like it will fit great and then you try it on and realize it hugs your hips, or it just doesn’t fit right. It’s never fun having to go back to the store to return something that didn’t fit right – or worse yet, buying something that doesn’t fit and being unable to return it at all!
As much as you are able, try on clothing before you buy it to make sure it fits appropriately and modestly!
Of course, shopping for clothes online is a whole other story… and trying on before you buy is rarely an option with online clothing sites. But when buying clothing in stores, always try it on first!
Tip #5: Shop Online
Thanks to all the ladies out there who do have modest dress standards, it’s becoming easier to find modest options online through boutiques and modest clothing stores. You WILL pay more buying modest clothing online (unless you find an amazing deal – most online shops run frequent sales) but I believe investing some money in a modest wardrobe is worth it!
Below is a list of online stores that carry modest clothing options. For many of these sites you will need to sift through the clothing to find pieces that truly fit biblical (and personal) modesty standards.
Let’s start with the websites that are dedicated to modest clothing:
- The Main Street Exchange (Great for denim skirts)
- Slaydon & Rose
- Sweet Salt Clothing
- Inherit Co.
- Neesee’s Dresses (A little pricey, but they have great sales!)
- Be Modest Boutique
- Modli Co.
- Lace & Lilac Boutique
- Cleo Madison
- Jessy Kate
Here are some other online shops where you can find modest clothing… although like many other stores, you will need to sift through a lot of immodest options first:
- Thred Up (Sign up here and get $10 to spend for FREE!)
- Tickled Teal (FREE shipping on all US orders)
- Blair
- Amazon
- Burlington
- Dress Barn (I occasionally find skirts on sale at my local Dress Barn)
- Christopher and Banks
I hope these websites help you out in your quest to find modest options for your wardrobe!
Tip #6: Make Up Your Mind to Find It
Finding (and dressing in) modest clothing ultimately comes down to YOUR CHOICE. How much does modesty mean to you? Do you truly value modesty and want to honor the Lord with your clothing?
When we really want something, most of us are really good at making it happen. The same goes for finding and wearing modest clothing. It’s out there, I promise. While modest clothing may be harder to find than immodest clothing (obviously) there are still so many options available for those who really desire to be modest.
So, make up your mind to find modest clothing….and have fun shopping!
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. ” 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Final Thoughts
Please Remember: God knows you need clothing to wear (see Matthew 6:31-32). I also believe He honors the desire of those who want to dress modestly for Him. God will provide modest clothing for you as you seek to obey Him with your clothing choices. Pray about this area of your life and trust the Lord to provide. Over the years I’ve been amazed to see God supply modest clothing for me in unexpected ways!
Keep on keeping on, and remember that God will honor your desire and decision to honor Him in this way!
Want To Learn More?
In my book, Radiant Modesty, I share all the things God has taught me about modesty over the years… including what God’s Word says about modesty, why it matters, and practical tips for dressing modestly in all kinds of situations. It’s the book I wish I had when I was younger and I know it will help and encourage you in your own modesty journey! You can get your copy of Radiant Modesty right here.
I Would Love to Know
How do YOU find your modest clothing? Please share in the comments below. It will help me and other readers as we continue to search for modest clothing options! ♥
Until Next Time,
Like everywhere else, we have to do a lot of sifting, but we find a good top or skirt at Goodwill, Belk and Cato. Walmart also has some goodies every once in a while. Thanks for these recommendations!
Yes, Walmart can be surprisingly good as well. Thanks for sharing your favorites!
Thanks for the post Rebekah; finding modest clothing is a challenge, even more so perhaps in Canada when you live in a small town- shopping online is so much more expensive up here especially since there aren’t many Canadian boutiques and I have yet to find any store that has much modesty…. although I do value the thrift shop! Also, learning to customize immodest clothing for more coverage has been an adventure, we girls sure have a lot of room for creativity! 😉 Also, thank-you for being an online presence that values modesty! God Bless!
I’m from Canada too, and I totally agree! Salvation Army thrift stores can be wonderful spots for thrifting, as well as Value Village if you can find a good one. I also have gotten some skirts from Kosher Casual in Israel- their shipping is very affordable (starting at $9, I think). 🙂
God bless!
Claudine
https://whatdinnywore.com
Thanks Claudine! I’ll have to check out the Kosher Casual, I’m out in Saskatchewan so …. I think the closest Value Village is about 2 hours away 😉 Online shopping is rather popular 🙂
~Kate
https://gemsoffemininity.ca
I’m sorry to hear that it’s even harder where you live! Being able to sew it altar clothing is a huge help! I only know the basics but it does come in handy. Thanks for sharing!
This was a great blog Rebeckah!
I know by experience how hard it can be to find modest clothing!Hand me downs can be a big help too.😉
I really like the long floral dresses.They are modest but still trendy.❤️
Yes floral dresses are a go-to for me right now 😊
Thanks for posting this! I also shop at thrift stores often and online for good modest clothing.
Thrift stores are so helpful – I’m glad you enjoy them too!
I thought this post was very encouraging. I especially loved the part about where to find modest clothes. That can be very hard at times. Places I like to shop for modest clothes are Jane.com (this is a daily boutique so what’s there today may not be there tomorrow), Land’s End online but they do have stores, Latterday Bride is good for prom dresses, and Dainty Jewells (I’ve never ordered anything from here but they have beautiful clothes and dresses). These places require shifting and shopping sales but I think that’s usual. A good tip is to read the reviews before you buy anything.
Yes, online reviews can be so helpful – especially when it comes to fit/sizing… That can be especially tricky when shopping online!
Thanks so much for mentioning those other stores/boutiques!
Great post, Rebekah! I love your tips for finding modest clothing- especially thrift stores, because they are GOLD! For online shopping, Kosher Casual has some good quality, inexpensive skirts (and running skirts w/leggings). I also have ordered great skirts from Junee’s, New Creation Apparel, and Long Tall Sally (for tall girls). I appreciate your recommendations because one can always use more modest skirts + dresses!
Have a sweet day!
God bless,
Claudine
https://whatdinnywore.com
Oh thank you so much for mentioning those other shops. I’ll have to look into Kosher Casual… I think I’ve heard of them before! Yes, I agree – it seems like you can never have too many skirts and dresses! 😊
Of course you know I love posts like these! I agree with all of your tips here. I also find it helpful to follow other modest fashion bloggers, because hearing of where they found something gives me an idea where to look. I think the important thing is that you know what you’re looking for, are strong in your modesty standards, and are patient. When you just consistently keep an eye out for things, you will slowly build up a wardrobe! And being more creative with your style and your closet can also help, where you don’t *have* to have a million clothing items lol
Thanks for sharing your tips! I sometimes struggle to be creative with the clothing I already have… but you are so good at that! I love seeing the outfits you come up with. 🙂
Thank you, Rebekah!
Thank you for this post! I usually online shop since I work from home and don’t get out much. Dainty Jewells Clothier has really nice stuff! I have a couple of their tops and although they’re pricey they’re super nice!! Definitely worth it and are nice quality!
It’s super hard to find modest clothing so that list will help me out! Although for me I have a harder time with finding tops than skirts 🙂 I usually end up with lots of skirts and only a few shirts!
Yes, I agree, modest tops can be really hard to find – especially for the summer because so many tops are tight, sleeveless, cropped, see-through, or very low! Whenever I find a nice, modest top or t-shirt for summer, I’m pretty happy! 🙂
I would say most of my clothes come from Goodwill/Thrift stores, Khols, or Walmart. I also have one thing from Costco and 2 tops from Charming Charlies. My mom and I also wear the same size, so we raid each others’ closets and it gives us more options. 🙂
When I go shop by myself, thrift stores are my go-to because I always find something unique, modest, and insanely cheap! I just bought the cutest green skirt the other day for $1 and a beautiful lace blue dress for just $6 or so! I’ve found that you can make tons of things work simply by adding layers or a lace extender slip. The slips is a really key to making shorter dresses work! I got mine off of Amazon. Amazon also is a great place to look because they have so many options. I am looking forward to getting some summer dresses off of Amazon this year!
Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your tips! I’m glad you can find things at thrift shops too! I’ll have to look on Amazon for a skirt/dress extender. Most extenders that I see still aren’t long enough to cover my knees! Thanks for the tip!
Amazon dresses are very affordable and super comfy – unfortunately (depending on the fabric) they don’t hold up well with lots of washings. Just thought I would mention that. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Rebekah!
When I was seven, I made the decision to stop wearing pants and to start dressing more modestly. Over the years, I found it rather hard to build a good, modest wardrobe that actually fit me – especially during my early teen years.
Now my personal modesty standards are higher than those of my family, and I actually have a nice wardrobe. I get most of my clothes for free from a church clothing ministry that I help at. Otherwise, all my clothes are thrifted or gifted (hand-me-down). Thrift stores are great for shoes, too!
I find Goodwill’s “50% off on your birthday if you’re 18 or older” deal to be a real money saver, especially if there are no other deals attracting other shoppers. I’ll spend a whole day hitting all the Goodwill Stores in the area. Even before I was 18, I went out with my mom on her birthday every year. (A whole day of quality time and quality deals!)
I love the boutiques you recommended-thank you!
Thank you for sharing all these links, Rebekah! I’ve been meaning to share a website I’ve found some modest clothes on as well. I don’t know if you’ve looked at this website, but Simply Sage Market has some great deals going on right now. If you use the code CLEARANCE50 you get many things 50% off. I bought a dress from there that was super cute and totally modest. I thought I would share that with you. I’m not being paid at all or anything like that. 🙂
You’re welcome! And thank you for sharing about Simply Sage Market. O was on their website earlier today (after reading your comment) and they have some really cute clothing!!
Hi Rebekah, I’m Belinda!
I LOVE your blog, and I very much enjoy reading your posts about courting, faith and love your posts about modesty! I believe modesty is very important, we are to be clothed modestly, and to reflect Jesus instead of the world. Thank you for your tips!!! I am trying to find a more modest swim outfit, so I will check out some of your recommendations.
Also check out my blog: simplybiblicalliving.com
blessings Belinda!
p.s. I enjoyed your e-book :” Radiant Modesty” very much, loved all the bible verses!
2020 is a great year for modest fashion. Walmart, Target, and other stores are offering beautiful modest dresses, midi skirts, and cute tops. I have exercise bras that rise to my neckline which I wear under tops with a V neck or low scoop neck. I wear knee length exercise shorts under my dresses for comfort and leggings or tights under my dresses during the winter. I have found that both Target and Walmart have cotton T-shirts in the men’s department that have a more modest neckline than those in the Women’s section. The same goes with the sweaters. Target especially has colors that are feminine enough for me to be happy wearing–reds, blues, roses, aqua, whites, along with more masculine options. I am in my 50s so finding age appropriate yet stylish and modest clothing can be a struggle at times. Can’t look like “mutton trying to look like lamb” so I look for feminine, not to sweet or cutesy, comfortable, and modest clothing.
I have modest clothes I am selling. I am planning on giving the money to my parents. I sell on Poshmark; clothing and other items from family members mostly. Please link my poshmark closet on your blog and mention it to others. I am will to make great deals like thrifty prices and negotiate on items that need a little tailoring or dry cleaning. You can comment on Poshmark to contact me on Poshmark at the website link provided in the fields required in the reply boxes. Thank you and be blessed!
I have modest clothes I am selling. I am planning on giving the money to my parents. I sell on Poshmark; clothing and other items from family members mostly. Please link my poshmark closet on your blog and mention it to others. I am will to make great deals like thrifty prices and negotiate on items that need a little tailoring or dry cleaning. You can comment on Poshmark to contact me on Poshmark at the website link provided in the fields required in the reply boxes. Thank you and be blessed!