Sunday Stock-up

Hi all!
Every Sunday I'll be posting a list of great modest fashion finds. There will be a range of prices, from affordable to high-end, so there'll be something for everyone!
This week I'm sharing skirts that can be easily adapted to fit the crazy weather! Skirts are a modest closet staple. Having a wardrobe of skirts allows for more outfit options and pairings.

This is probably a good place for me to discuss my definition of modesty.

When it comes to clothing, for me, modesty is determined by Jewish laws and customs, called tzniut. Tzniut stems from the understanding that each person's body is exclusive and unique, and that it is something to cherish and take care of. Furthermore, in Jewish thought, the focus of life is to aim for more meaningful, internal values. This means that I personally only wear skirts that go past my knees, and tops that start at the collarbone, with sleeves extending to the elbow. And it goes without saying, nothing too tight or sheer. But for different people, the definition of modesty will change. It may be a personal, religious, or social decision.

On this blog, I'm open to readers interpretations and opinions, and would like to cover various perspectives. One of the goals of this blog is to have a discussion modest dressing, as well as provide practical tips and resources. In general, I'll probably return to what I know and do, which follows tzniut.

But lets talk about these skirts! These pieces are great for transitioning from winter to spring. They can be worn lighter for sunny days, or paired with a jacket and leggings for colder days.

1. This stylish snake-print pleated skirt:

asos.com

2. This no-nonsense (well, maybe just a little) A-line skirt:

forever21.com

3. This spring-minded sunburst:

anthropologie.com

4. This chic, sleek, faux-leather pencil skirt:

zara.com

Which of these is your favorite! Let us know in the comments!
For more fashion-forward modest ideas, check out https://modli.co/blog.

Fog and Sunlight

This picture evokes a misty, autumnal day. Calm and cool, it's not startling or cluttered.

In a way, this picture presents one of the biggest challenges in dressing modest. Achieving a casual look can be difficult. A lot of modest outfit inspiration comes from runway and haute couture looks, which, as swoon-worthy as they are, don't really serve for practical tips. If you're not careful, you can end up showing up at work looking like this fashion week attendee from Paris:

Or, this "upscale-casual" New Yorker:

Most of those statement looks rely on exaggeration and artistic license. While they're ok for certain situations, they won't really sense for everyday wear.

However, modesty by definition does means that you're going to be wearing more clothing on your person. And that can look overwhelming, especially if you're small-framed like me.

So how does one find that balance?

Well, one tip is to stick to a simple color palate. Like the original picture above, it usually works to use a neutral tone and add a focused color. At most, play with two colors. Don't pile on layers of distracting or clashing shades. Stick to one statement or focal piece, and build an outfit around it.

What are your favorite color schemes? Comment below!

image credits: flickr.com, harpersbazaar.com, aol.com

Welcome!

Hi and welcome to Sleeves and Skirts.

This blog is all about combining fashion and modesty.

This is an area that I experience and focus on a lot in my life. Like others, modesty has religious significance for me as an orthodox Jewish woman. But in my view, modesty isn't a rule- it's a concept and a lifestyle. It's a way of saying "I'm a deliberate person."  The way one dresses both reflects and informs a person's inner personality. To me, clothing is translating myself. So yeah, I'm picky about what I wear.

Most people think that modest clothing is old-fahioned and regimented. They think it limits creativity.

On this blog I'll try to show you that the opposite is true- that when you define boundaries you create the potential to unlock expression, individuality, and innovation.

One of the saddest issues facing today's youth is the emphasis placed on appearance. Girls especially learn, subconsciously, from social signals that the more "out there" they put themselves, the closer they are to achieving some elusive dream. But modesty sends an opposite, and much more empowering message- that everyone has the right to privacy and personal choice. It shifts the focus from superficiality to authenticity.

It's hard to find stylish affordable modest clothing in the current fashion market, so I'll help you out! I'll bring outfit and trend ideas from a range of brands and websites, for all price ranges.

Stay tuned for more modesty!

Nissa

Image credit: pixabay.com