Modest Formal Dresses

From LoveToKnow Teens

Modest formal dresses are a stylish and attractive option for young women who prefer a more demure style than many formal gowns. Formal teen dresses are perfect for many occasions, and there are many ways to make even the raciest gown more modest.

Shawls add modesty to any formal dress.

Defining Modest

What is considered modest teen clothing to one person may be bold and flaunting to another, but in general modest formal dresses share common characteristics, including:

  • Higher necklines that do not reveal more than a hint of cleavage.
  • Longer hemlines that typically fall to the knees or lower.
  • No strapless or spaghetti strap designs; wider straps, cap sleeves, or dresses with sleeves are more modest.
  • No plunging backlines or open corset backs.
  • More demure or feminine colors; modest dresses are rarely shockingly bright colors or coated with spangles and glitter.
  • Modest silhouettes that do not cling to a woman’s curves; A-line, empire, and princess dresses are frequent choices for modest attire.

Why Wear Modest Dresses?

Young women choose to wear modest dresses for a variety of reasons and occasions. A modest prom gown is appropriate for a school that has strict dress code guidelines, while a modest formal dress is suitable for formal church events such as weddings. Modest dresses can also be warmer in cold climates because less skin is revealed, or a young woman may prefer modest attire because she is shy or has a more demure, reserved personality. Some cultures also stress modest attire for young women.

Regardless of the reason for fashionable modesty, a modest dress can be an attractive, beautiful gown suitable for any formal dance or event.

Making Your Dress Modest

A scoop neckline is modest.

It can be difficult to find modest formal gowns at dress shops, boutiques, and teen clothing stores. Fortunately, there are several ways to turn an otherwise racy dress into a more modest selection.

  • Add a cover. A saucy bolero, elegant shawl, faux fur wrap or even a well placed neck scarf can conceal a plunging neckline or back to make a gown more modest.
  • Add modesty panels. A seamstress can easily create a suitable modesty panel to wear beneath an immodest dress. Panels can be made from matching or contrasting fabric or lace to add textural details and a unique style to the dress.
  • Choose modest accessories. Even if the dress is daring, it will seem more modest if it is worn with sensible heels, classic jewelry, and other modest fashion accessories.
  • Behave modestly. A young woman’s behavior is far more telling about her modesty than her attire. A soft voice, gentle smile, polite manners, and other modest behavior can offset the initial appearance of any dress.

Gallery of Modest Formal Dresses

Click on any of the pictures below to be taken to related picture galleries and informational articles about lovely teen fashion.

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Comments

Meg,

Unfortunately, this dress is just a picture and was not taken out of sales catalog or online store. Have you tried searching online for a dress like this one? For modest dresses like this one, check out this site: Latter Day Bride.

-- Contributed by: Marcelina Hardy

Would anyone know where the picture came from for the peach off-shoulder dress example for the 'Modest Off the Shoulder Design' link above? That dress is perfect, and I can't find it anywhere!

-- Contributed by: Meg

Go to ModestProm.com and look at the "Buying a Dress" section. There are lots of lovely modest modern gowns out there.

-- Contributed by: Chris
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