REMIX: The Arthur Fonzarelli Style of Modest Style

The epitome of cool has always been to be able to wear an outfit baggy and pull it off with sass, style, and class. Sure, a neatly tailored skirt and a tucked in blouse looks pretty, but it's too...proper. And says things about me which are untrue, like I answer my emails immediately or that my car is never running under the "E" symbol on the gas gauge.

I like to have a little Arthur Fonzarelli in my modest stylecase; I skew to the Prince Harry side of the royal rebel spectrum, at least in my wardrobe.



Find the balance in the cool versus unkempt battle of the baggy look requires the right fit of the slouch. The key in this is is that you find loose fitted clothes, NOT oversized. I repeat, NOT oversized.  I'm going to repeat myself: DO NOT BUY OVERSIZED CLOTHES. It will make the difference between looking like you meant to dress like the mean streets of modest style, rather than throwing on things from the bottom of the hamper.

The tomboy look above is a great start to the slouchy, cool look. Pull together a pair of boyfriend chinos with a tunic button down and loose-fit tunic cardigan.  Everyone has something like this in their wardrobe that they can cobble together. Pair with lace-up oxfords and a statement necklace.

Looking to add on a few pieces? Check out our under $50 finds below:

H&M Pants · Dickies Petite Pants · New York & Co. Cropped Pants

[Under $50} An Anthropologie Splurge Kind of Day

The last few days of the month usually marks the stream of emails flooding my account from various retailers, highlighting the new monthly collections. Zara does it, Banana Republic does it, Asos does it...but I usually end up taking a look when Anthropologie does it.

Anthro is one of those places that I LOVE to look but rarely get the merchandise. If it was rated by a Yelp of retailers, it would have three dollar signs. However, when they put things on sale, the number of dollar signs go WAY down. Anthro is also one of the most modest style friendly places I've ever come about - styles that have interest and are more than a basic block-color tunic. For women who are interested in modest style (or Pentecostal or Hijabi or what have you styles), sale-priced Anthropologie is the way to go.

So again, when the email came in this morning and I hit up their Sale section, these items instantly caressed their long tentacles towards my credit card.

My favorite are these Prospect Pants, which I think would be awesome for the spring as socializing or work pants. Click on the images below. The tops and sweaters have more color options, so make sure to check it out if you're in the market for brights.

Anthropologie Petite Jeans · Anthropologie Wide Leg Pants · Anthropologie Longsleeve Tops

Reader Request: Jumpsuits

A few years ago, Naima posted on the jumpsuit trend, cleverly titled We've Got A Jumper!. At the time, I was a bit hesitant; aren't jumpsuits the classier cousin to the overalls? (which, by the way, I rocked heavily and in frequent rotation from 7th - 9th grade)

You saw my personal intro to jumpsuits in South Africa, but these modest fashion street style photos are also making me take a second look.



I kind of wish I had jumped (ha! get it?) on board with her recommendation earlier. Given that my most recently reader request was also for jumpsuits, I'm giving way to a statement piece that should be in every modest dresser's closet.

The jumpsuit is the modest girl's answer to the work dress.  It's a one-piece attire that you simply need to add a blouse or jacket to, and voila!, you're dressed! Granted they cause a hassle going to the restroom (you feel like you have to undress!) but that's a small price to pay.

When choosing a jumpsuit, especially if you're seeking it as a modest alternative, find one that is has a loose, billowy fit. You don't want the pants to bunch up or feel tight in rise (aka, to be indelicate, the crotch).

These are my favorite finds (linked below!):

Farrah's favorites:

Asos Dress Pants · Asos Dress Pants · Macy's Teen Girls' Pants

Here are a few different jumpsuits to suit to your needs, grouped in darks, colors, and prints. Click on your favorites!

Asos Dress Pants · Wallis Dress Pants · LOFT Dress Pants

Forever 21 Dress Pants · Charlotte Russe Dress Pants · Romwe Dress Pants

DKNY Dress Pants · Asos Petite Pants · GUESS Dress Pants

[Workout Wednesday] Wick-It Coverup from Athleta

Athleta, Gap's high end workout response to Lululemon, has been picking up steam in the retail market and with good reason. I find their clothing to be more diversely styled and with more applications.

My favorite find from them is their Wick-It wader coverups, last seen here. They've redesigned it a bit and - lucky us! - it's on sale for $29.99. These long-sleeved, long tops fall past the waist, providing coverage over your bottom. They are not quite tunic length, but still a modest option for the gym. The material is meant to pull sweat away from your body, providing a comfortable exercise experience.

As with most things I post, these are few in inventory and sizes, so get yours now!

**P.S. I know it's not quite Wednesday but I've missed the last two weeks so consider this a catch-up!

In love with my boyfriend...jeans

Throughout this blog, I've documented how I tend to be a jeans snob. My younger brother worked at Nordstrom for a few years and urged me to trade in my Express and American Eagle denim for luxury denim, namely 7 For All Mankind. For many many years, those have been all I've worn, with a New York and Co. pair of jeans sneaking in for yard work wear.

Recently, I wanted a pair of boyfriend jeans and wasn't in a position to fork over up to a hundred (I like my luxury denim on sale) for a pair. Since I work full-time, jeans don't rotate through my daily wear as often as I'd like. After browsing over and over, I settled on trying Gap's 1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans.

I've never been so happy with a purchase. I wear them ALL. THE. TIME. Boyfriend jeans, since they are meant to hang off the hips and sit loose through the thighs and calves, are universally flattering. They don't hug and define many curves, creating an opportunity to mix in shorter, cropped-waist tops - because who wants to wear tunics all the time?

The Gap jeans I purchased are on sale for only $28. I'm considering buying another pair. If you're considering boyfriend jeans at all, I highly recommend them for their fit, their quality, and their versatility.

Gap Petite Jeans

Cutting Loose...Footloose

It's the endless winter. I'm sitting in my house, waiting for yet another round of a snowfall. It's March 24, guys, and the official start of spring was 4 days ago. Perhaps it's for this reason that I haven't yet been inspired to shop or plump up my closet, and thus uninspired to post. I love finding you guys things - especially when I hear from you about it! - but we're all tired of winter wear.

It's why I was happily piqued with excitement for an outfit from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Did you guys see the entrance/tribute to Footlose that Jimmy and Kevin Bacon did last week?

What about this is inspiring? Look again.

Whoever dressed her deserves some made props, because that floral on blush outfit definitely garners a spotlight. Midi skirts are back for the spring, with a little extra midi to the skirt, and entering the business world. I like the idea of a midi skirt with booties (and likely tights) as stylish, modest work attire. The one pair of booties I own are a bit higher on the ankle and tend to be too tall for the few cropped pants I wear them with, so a midi skirt of this length would be a perfect pairing.

Want to dress like the dancer on The Tonight Show?  Here are a few under $50 options below:

The Add-to-All Essential Modest Style Layer

Find me a cooler wardrobe piece than a denim jacket. They are effortlessly cool, extra emphasis on effortless, with the added bonus of edging up any outfit. If there's ever an addition one should make to their wardrobe, especially one that works with everything, it should be a denim jacket.

Because they work with everything, a denim jacket is this spring's go-to item for the perfect modest fashion wardrobe. Top a tunic with a denim for casual chic, like this wide-leg linen look from Anthropologie. Or pull a Jessica Alba and add a denim jacket over a maxi dress for a casual day out with the kids.

 

Unfortunately, denim jackets seem to be my white whale. Ideally, I'd like to find the one that Naima's mom gave me after I fell off the see-saw. THAT would be my perfect jacket, though 23 years of body change may make the jacket fit a little differently.

I've scouted these jackets below as a potential THE ONE. The current denim jacket trend is cropped, a great look to create a defined waist-line for all the floaty, long tunics that sometimes look like oversized bags. The cropped jacket also adds some interest to jersey maxis.

Check out the options below and find your perfect denim jacket!

Levi's Casual Jackets · H&M Casual Jackets · J.Crew Factory Casual Jackets

[Workout Wednesday] A 2-for-1 Kind of Pant

I've been seeing these more and more lately - skirted leggings. I think the modest fitness trend is picking up; that or women just really like skirts with leggings.  Either way, these could be a win-win for the modern women looking for a little extra rear coverage for her workout

SkirtSports Skirts · SkirtSports Mid-length Skirts · Athleta Activewear Pants

(Sorry for such a short post today - I've been under the weather for the past few days with a nagging cough and cold that has zapped every ounce of energy from my being. I haven't been sick in FOUR years. Coupled with the few inches of snow we just got [why is it snowing in March?!], I'm just trying to make it to spring in one piece.)