As a young person, can you dress conservatively and still be stylish? I won’t wear anything strapless or backless – or really any style where I can’t wear a normal bra. That means you’re ruling out a lot of dresses that are currently trendy. Is it even wrong (or just plain weird) to have these rules? Do I need to show more skin to be fashionable, or is it okay to be covered up? —Jessica, Denver
It’s true that “conservative,” at least when it comes to style, is often treated as a kind of code word, or even a synonym, for “boring.” And the naked look has proven astonishingly resilient, not just on the red carpet and at awards show after-parties, but also during urban summers everywhere, for a variety of reasons. And that often gets a lot of attention because – shocking! (Not really at the moment.)
But it is also true that we live in an era where all the trends are present at all times, and it is more than possible to be covered, chic and contemporary at the same time. And not just thanks to ‘modest fashion’, the gigantic market segment that officially emerged at the beginning of the 21st century.
Then labels like Alessandra Rich and e-tail sites like Modist were born. Although modest fashion is often associated with religious statements, it is so much a part of life that it is hardly labeled as ‘modest’ anymore. After all, with a great pantsuit you are just as well covered as with any kaftan. Even TikTokwhich appears to be the home of the dress that resembles a handkerchief, has almost 800,000 posts dedicated to the hashtag.
However, if you’re looking for a role model, consider Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the style-defining wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. knee outfits (albeit from Yohji Yamamoto) and pretty much illustrated the appeal of keeping things private. Or, for that matter, Catherine, Princess of Wales, who – thanks to the dress codes that still govern the behavior of the royal family – rarely shows much skin, but still manages to be very stylish.
Or, for more inspiration, “look outside the US,” says Sarah Miyazawa LaFleur, founder of the MM LaFleur label. “In my hometown of Tokyo, you rarely see a bare shoulder, even when it’s 100 degrees outside, but Japanese women always find a way to have fun with fashion.”
As for putting together such a wardrobe, Ms. LaFleur and Karla Welch, the stylist who works with Tracee Ellis Ross and Eve Hewson, suggested starting with a great blazer, which can hide a multitude of cutouts. Ikram Goldman, the owner of the Ikram boutique in Chicago, would add a crew-neck dress with three-quarter sleeves or an empire-waist dress. And, Ms. Welch added, a wardrobe of sheer tights is always a useful hack.
The thing is, the only clothing rule that really remains untouched is that you should feel comfortable and confident in your clothes, and if that means being covered up, there’s nothing weird about that.
What’s cringey (and misleading) is wearing something because you think that’s what the crowd is telling you to wear. That’s the definition of a fashion victim, and no one wants to be one. Perhaps the best way to think about your version of “conservative” fashion is “personal style.” Doesn’t everyone want that?
Your style questions, answered
Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa answers a reader’s fashion-related question, which you can send to her at any time e-mail or Tweet. Questions are edited and condensed.
