How to Help Teen Girls Choose Modest Clothes

Most of today's clothing styles for teen girls do nothing to promote modesty. Instead, they seem to promote a look once favored only by prostitutes. It's easy to become frustrated by this situation. But you can help your teen choose modest, yet hip, clothes that she'll actually wear.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Before Shopping With Your Teen

1. Go through your teen's closet and determine what type of clothes she needs, such as skirts, blouses, jeans or pants. Decide approximately how many, and what type, of new clothes you need to buy.

2. Discuss the importance of a young woman dressing modestly with your teen. Explain that her wise clothing choices can lessen the chances of having boys and men look at her in a sexualized manner and make assumptions about her sexual habits and behavior. Instead, they'll be more likely to see her as a whole person.

3. Expect some pushback, especially if she's easily swayed by current, often immodest fashion trends pushed by the popular culture, teen celebrities or the fashion divas at her school.

4. Find stores that carry pieces of modest clothing that may be appealing to teen sensibilities. You can talk to other like-minded mothers to get ideas, or search by yourself. Ideally, investigate the store's offerings by yourself prior to taking your daughter so you can do a thorough assessment of the situation without any drama from your teen. Don't forget to check online clothing shops as well.

5. Identify problem areas for modestly. Many fashions today expose the waist, belly or butt crack; show too much cleavage; overtly accentuate the bustline and expose more leg than is modest.

The Shopping Experience

6. Shop for jeans and pants at the local department store or boutique. Choose pants that aren't so low slung that when your teen bends over, her butt crack shows. High-waist and classic jeans are stylish yet modest, and come in a variety of pant widths, colors, textures and embellishments. Stretch material is fine, but ensure the fabric doesn't hug the legs so tightly that nothing is left to the imagination.

7. Go to a classic women's shops, such as Talbots or Chico's, and ask for the advice of a young manager or salesperson who understands the dilemma. Oftentimes these shops that sell typically modest yet stylish clothing for older women also have the sizes, styles and colors that appeal to the hipper set. Seek out pants, tops, skirts and shorts here.

8. Select tops that don't fit snugly around your teens bustline, but rather have a bit of "breathing" room without looking baggy or dumpy. You can shop at any department store or boutique for these items; but be prepared to buy them one size larger than normal so they don't cling.

9. Solve the problem of plunging necklines and too-short hems by buying a modest, long camisole to wear underneath the offensive top. This fashion-friendly look covers up both cleavage and belly button views. Buy many different colors of camisoles to help your teen coordinate with current and future tops in her closet.

10. Buy shorts and skirts that are, at best, a few inches above the knee. Longer, below-the-knee skirts are often flowing, and evoke a delightful feminine feeling for most wearers. Ensure the skirt isn't too tight around the hips, and let your teen know that too-tight skirts can add pounds to her look. Capris are always "in," and can make a teen look slimmer than shorter shorts.

11. Visit online clothing stores catering to the teen who wants to dress modestly and be stylish to find ideas and pieces to purchase.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose pre-shrunk material or material that won't shrink easily. If you don't, your modest clothes may turn into immodest clothing after only a few washes.
• If your teen prefers some of the popular sheer fabrics, buy her a camisole to wear underneath tops made from them. She'll get the look she likes as well as some modesty.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Find hip, stylish women's clothing at Shade Clothing.
• Buy modest clothes and women's head coverings at Modest Clothing.
• Purchase long camisoles to wear under tops at Dress Modestly.

[chestimer]

on 2/23/2009 How do you change her mind when she thinks she's not showing too much?

[Froggy1980]

on 6/19/2008 This is a great idea!! Thank you for sharing! Love it!!

[1citygirl]

on 3/26/2008 your daughter can still feel instyle and dress modestly. Check out my article for a HUGE list of places to go to find hip, modest clothing.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2245509_fashionable-modest-clothing.html