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

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

Battle of the Boyfriends

Like most denim trends, it takes me a while to come around. I was very much into bootcut jeans when the skinny denim trend started, and almost reached the point of repulsion with colored denim. Enter Pinterest, which showed me all the possibilities of how skinny regular and skinny colored jeans could be worn. I experienced a similar shift in tide with boyfriend jeans recently. Loose, baggy, look-like-they-were-picked-up-off-the-floor jeans?

My inner monologue went something like this: “Ew, no thanks...except that Rachel Bilson looks super cute wearing them with her on-trend booties, and oh look, so does Kate Bosworth, and of course, Katie Holmes.”  And mind changed.

    

What’s great about boyfriend jeans – or really, anything “boyfriend” in style – is that it’s meant to be a relaxed fit item that makes it socially okay not to show off every curve of my body. The slouchiness is a slap in the face of body-skimming items that force me to find layers and long hemlines to make me feel comfortable in my dress.My search lead me to two pairs at GAP, which is currently running a 35% off everything sale (and remember, if you shop through Ebates, another 6% back!) – the 1969 destructed sexy boyfriend jeans and 1969 sexy boyfriend jeans.

Hands down, the 1969 sexy boyfriend jeans were my winner. The denim was softer, more worn in, and the medium wash was the perfect faded classic denim blue color. Because I’m 5’6 ½”, I ordered the long version of the jeans in my usual size 4. My concern was that the jeans, if ordered in the regular length, would roll up too high. For what I wanted, the long length rolled up perfectly – not too high above the ankle, but high enough to achieve that easy slung look.

1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans

Not to say the 1969 destructed sexy boyfriend jeans were terrible. I ordered these in a regular 4 and at my height, they were a snitch too high above the ankle. Anyone who is under 5’6” should not have any problems with how they roll up. Note that they come pre-rolled, so unrolling them doesn’t give you too much additional length. The destructed features were in the right spots, and with a few washings, I’m confident they would soften up (generally denim in a darker color are stiff from the dye – but washing them takes care of that). I didn’t like these as much because they were a bit too tight around my thighs. I’m fairly conscious of my thigh circumference as it is, and these felt more like bootcut jeans with a some slouch rather than true boyfriends.

1969 Destructed Sexy Boyfriend Jeans

So tell me, which one do you like more?

[Sweet Modesty] Reader Request: Long and Maxi Cardigans

Not too long ago [oh shoot, my email says 8 days ago], I received a request from a reader at Sweet Modesty.

As you may have heard, Sweet Modesty + Greater Lengths have joined forces to provide you an exclusive service for making modest shopping inquiries.  Among our first requests, this reader is, not surprisingly, looking for long cardigans.

Hawa writes:

Hey, I've been looking for long/maxi cardigans, I can't seem to find petite sizes nor a reasonable price. I hope you can help me!

Hawa, of course we can!  Thankfully, the timing is right for us as we're hitting the first batch of seasonal sales at retail stores all over.  These long sweaters, also called boyfriend sweaters, for their long lines and easy fits, pop up but rarely does there seem to be more than one of these types of sweaters in the store.

I've gathered a few of them here - divided between neutrals (tans, black, whites, creams), colored (a rainbow of them!), and finally - dusters.  Dusters are the comfy, more stylish alternative to a great sweatshirt.  They're not as hefty as sweater coats, but usually longer than boyfriend cardigans.

What do you think?  Which one of you is making you reconsider your November clothing budget right now?

Neutral-toned long cardigans and boyfriend sweaters:

XCVI Cardigans · jcpenney Cardigans · Free People Cardigans

Colored long cardigans and boyfriend sweaters:

Ann Taylor Petite Sweaters · Gap Petite Sweaters · Lucky Brand Cardigans

Dusters:

Chico's Cardigans · Loehmann's Women's Fashion · Loehmann's Cardigans

[Under $50] Stock up on Spring and Summer Maxi Skirts!

We're keeping today simple.

Do you like or want or need a maxi skirt?  Yes?  Awesome.

Do you want to spend less than $50?  Yes?  Awesome.

Are you looking for fun spring and summer colors?  Are you trying to maintain modesty in your style but still have a great sense of fashion?  Yes and yes?  Done.

(Click on any of the items below to be taken to the retailer.)

Dorothy Perkins Long Skirts · Asos Long Skirts · Full Tilt Teen Girls' Skirts

Candy Colored

Walking to and from class in Washington, D.C. (I'm also a part-time MBA student at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith Business school), I see this same billboard on all the Metro buses and bus stops.

  

I'm looking forward to all the pretty pretty colors emerging around every corner and these colored skinny jeans from Gap are perfect to layer with longer tunics.  Balancing flowy tops with fitted bottoms is not only one of the easiest modest outfits to create, skinny jeans - in all colors - is an essential closet item for the modest dresser's closet.

Which color do you like best?

Gap Skimmer Jeans

Gap Weekend Sale

Gap is taking 30% off your ENTIRE purchase in-store and online with code "GAPWRAP".  Looking for a few new items but don't know what to get?  We've narrowed down a few options for you; between long sweaters, modest tops, and stylish cropped pants for you, our favorite modest Muslim friend, we've literally got you covered.  Let us know what you get!

More Gap...

Black Friday 2012: Gap

Camis for layering.
Oversized sweaters.
Chambray and tunics.
Wide leg trousers.

Here are the modest, Muslim-friendly fashion finds for Black Friday 2012.
Up to 60% going on now through November 24
Use promotion code GAPGIFT for an extra 20% off your purchase online!

Gap pants:

More Gap...

Gap tops:

More Gap...

Gap other (denim jacket, sweaters, tunics and dresses)

More Gap...

Black Friday 2012

Oh my gosh, Black Friday is stressing me out so much.  There are SO many deals and SO little time!  What's more is that stores are now turning THURSDAY into Black Friday.  While I guess that's in line with turning November/Thanksgiving into December/Christmas, I need someone to stop the madness and take control.

In the meantime, before the anxiety takes over me, I'll let my credit card take control.  Greater Lengths gives you modest, Muslim-friendly fashion at Black Friday prices.

1.  GAP (save up to 60% plus an addition 20% with coupon code): http://greaterlengths.blogspot.com/2012/11/black-friday-2012-gap.html

2. Urban Outfitters (hundreds of items up to 50% off): http://greaterlengths.blogspot.com/2012/11/black-friday-2012-urban-outfitters.html

3. H&M (hundreds of items up to 75% off): http://greaterlengths.blogspot.com/2012/11/black-friday-2012-h.html

4. The Limited (entire store, regular and sale priced items, 40% off): http://greaterlengths.blogspot.com/2012/11/black-friday-2012-limited.html

Clearing Out the Closet

Over the past few weeks, Naima and I have both been saving items and pieces to our virtual closets.  With her in preparation for (and now on) Hajj and me, working on some other stuff, we've accumulated a lot of cool little things to share.  If you're in the mood for something new, take a look at a few of these combinations.  There's no rhyme or reason, just a lot of style.

I love this big, overflowing twisted wrap sweater.  It looks so warm and cozy, and with a long hemline, is great to transition from play to the prayer rug.

Cashmere Sweaters
Skinny Denim

This is great for a professional, clean look.  These Asos wide leg pants are loose and flowy, with the button-down floral shirt from Piperlime, give this look like texture, pattern, and color.  Great for the modest Muslim office worker!

Wide Leg Pants
Longsleeve Tops

This blazer from Piperlime is so darling! I recommend pairing it with another brightly-colored piece - either this long dress from Express (doubling as a top) or colored pants.  Pick one or the other - you'll look like a circus toy if you mash it all together.

Day Dresses
Casual Pants

I am ready to pull the trigger on these wide leg sailor pants from White House Black Market.  I like the wide legs for a couple of reasons - it's easier to wear shorter tops with them, as they don't form to your rear, and because they look great on any silhouette.  With this Asos peplum top (I've been wanting to wear peplums for a while!), this is another one of those appropriate Muslim outfits for the office or to hang out with friends.

Wide Leg Pants
Shortsleeve Tops

I love rich colors in fall, and this long cardigan from Target comes a deep red.  Paired with a neutral tie-neck blouse (also called a "pussybow" in Europe), it's a cute style for any occasion.  Not into the colored pants?  Try them with these harlem pants.

Cardigans

I'm not quite ready to give up mint pants yet, and these corduroys from Lands End, with a striped top from Modcloth are a good transition from splashy spring into cool fall.

Longsleeve Tops
Pants & Shorts

Try these cool blue stripes.  The cardigan is from Target and the skirt is probably already in your closet.

Cardigans
Belts

The Limited and Gap bring you the outfit below.  I love their shirtdresses, but never know how to style them., but as you see, a coordinating top or a punch of color can do wonders.

Day Dresses
Cropped Pants

Finally, a denim jacket (this one from Old Navy at a very reasonable $34).  With a mustard dress (on sale at Modcloth) and cords from Target, this would put me in the mood for a little apple-picking, pumpkin-pie baking fun.

Day Dresses
Skinny Pants