All that’s Modest does not Flatter

Let’s watch in wonder at the beautiful Ms. Jennifer Love Hewitt, (far left) let the celebrity sparkle wash over us as we gaze at her chic… wait… what is she wearing?

The hair? A little plain, but likable. Her skin’s has a beautiful glow to it. Her shoes are… livable. But the dress/jeans combo? Gosh, is that even legal? The dress swallows her up and the jeans just don’t go.

We can also observe a mini-skirt/jeans combination on the runway. (Left) This model is beautiful, her hair is beautiful, her shoes are cute, and the color of her top compliments her skin tone perfectly. And then there’s this… thing… wrapped around her hips. Why ruin a cute outfit like that with an out-of-place mini-skirt?

How did the skirt/pants trend ever start? I wonder if it was in the name of modesty. I can definitely see a girl going through her closet, wanting to wear a mini-skirt, but knowing she won’t get by mom or dad with it. So, she picks out a pair of jeans to go under it. Good compromise, and way to go for being modest!

For all the virtues of this style, I just can’t seem to find it flattering. I don’t think it looks good in most cases. (You all know those beautiful people who can pull off any fashion faux-pas and look stunning doing it. Those people don’t count.) If we have jeans, slacks, or trousers which are modest enough to cover the leg, why even bother wearing the mini skirt? I’m all for choosing modesty over fashion, but seriously – why can’t we have both?

There are a few ways this style can be worn and still be cute. Check out the photos below. (Try to ignore the lime shoes. They’re fodder for another fashion rant… but I’ll save that for another day.)

I love both of these looks. It took me a lot to figure out why. At first, I thought it was because I liked the Bermuda shorts (right) with the dress (and I do so love Bermuda shorts) but I think it’s more than that because I also love the look of the boot-cut jeans with the silk tunic (far right).

After some thought, here are the reasons I like these looks and not the ones above:

Dress vs Skirt

I think the look of a skirt over jeans is just too choppy, but the look of a dress over jeans seems to elongate the torso and slim the silhouette.

Shirt vs Dress

While the look of the poofy, yellow dress with the jeans threatens to swallow the wearer, if the dress actually looks more like a long shirt (the coral tunic is a perfect example) it balances out the look and even elongates the torso.

Jeans vs Shorts

While the jeans in the far right photo definitely work, I love the look of the Bermuda shorts under the dress. Very fun, casual look.

So, ladies, what are some of the things you’ve done to change a modest-yet-awkward outfit into a chic and classy covered look?

Anna Grace is a Christian woman in her early twenties. She dreams of one day becoming a school teacher. She and her husband are expecting their first child in May.