How modest dressing found its way into mainstream fashion

If the short length of a hemline is not a barometer by which to judge a person’s character, then covering up should not equate to regressiveness either. If showing one’s skin is a choice that needs to be respected, then the opposite of that stands equally true. 2017 was the year we saw more crop tops, miniskirts and even the first hint of the return of the low rise, but it also brought another trend to the forefront: modesty. Stemming from the sartorial needs of women from various religions and faiths—and even just preferences—modest fashion gained recognition in the narrative of contemporary fashion.

Despite (often unjustly) being branded as transient, fashion is a reflection of society, and in the era of respecting individual choices, modest fashion has left the fringes of the lexicon of style and moved up, front and centre. One prominent sign of change was the acceptance of Halima Aden’s hijab on the runway. The poster girl for modest style, Aden was a part the Yeezy Season 5 show. “Halima Aden stood out amongst a diverse group of her model peers in a long faux fur coat and her own hijab (in 20 years of watching runway shows, that was a first),” Nicole Phelps, director, Vogue Runway, recounted in her review of the presentation. In the same year, The Modist, a luxury e-commerce destination dedicated to progressive modest dressing, came into being. Abayas, hijabs, headscarves were no longer exotic or foreign, and accepted as part of personal style.

International luxury retailers who have seen the rising opportunity in business have already started investing in this promising vertical too. Farfetch will be curating a selection of pieces from The Modist on its own portal, and Net-a-Porter has a selection of on-trend edit of clothes from luxury labels tagged under ‘modest’ as well.

Despite its origins as a way of dressing for women in Muslim countries, modest fashion has evolved into a global phenomenon now. Take for instance the work of Batsheva Hay, whose exaggerated conservative aesthetic has won critical approval with celebrities and fashion retailers. Hay, a follower of Orthodox Judaism, is dedicated to modernising elements of clothing that signify restraint and repression, and making them into something of an armour for those whose fashion choices are not just about following Instagram trends. Simply put, Hay is making modest fashion cool, and more about making a statement.

Of course, the concept of modest fashion does not restrict itself to items of clothing that have a religious significance. Now, even those who simply choose to cover up for the sake of own comfort can find a wider range of fashion to suit their preferences. Brands like The Row, Ganni and Etro naturally fall into this category, given their patterns and cuts that favour high necklines, longer hems and relaxed fits. Without trading faith for fashion or vice versa, modest dressing has found its own unique charm, exuding a quiet confidence. The impact of standing one’s ground has birthed a new dimension of style.

Intrigued with the concept? Look out for Vogue India’s February 2019 issue, which will talk about the impact of choice on modest fashion. Watch this space for more

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from Fashion – VOGUE India http://bit.ly/2B1F0SX