What Do I Wear There? Conservative Occasions
Photo credits (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4
Since I started this column, I am constantly asked what to wear to more “conservative” events, such as religious ceremonies, family events, interviews for scholarships, more casual business parties/dinners, school awards functions… you get the idea! Many of you want to know what to wear to those events where the dress code is between business casual and formal.
I’ve been hesitant to answer your questions on this because when it really comes down to it, what you wear to these events is a matter of personal choice and is also very dependent on the event. However, since I have received so many of these questions, I thought I would try to address them in a more general format this week.
To start, I’ll give some general guidelines for “conservative dressing,” for activities along the lines of one of the ones above. Then, I’ll show some sample outfits you can use for inspiration. I would like to point out that I am NOT talking about formal or business attire– some of these looks might work for those occasions, but that is not the focus of this article.
Conservative Dressing Guidelines:
- Beware of what you bare. The number one rule for dressing for a conservative outing is to not wear anything too revealing. In general, skirts should not be much above knee, tights are important to keep you looking modest, sleeves are a must, necklines should not display any cleavage, and heels (if you choose to wear them) should be no more than an inch or two and not too strappy.
- Make sure your clothes fit properly. Clothes that are too tight or too baggy will look tasteless and sloppy in a conservative environment.
- Keep your company in mind. Okay, so we’ve established that you shouldn’t show too much skin. But your new studded long sleeve shirt still isn’t appropriate, even if it is a crew neck. Watch what trends you are following when dressing for a conservative occasion–expressing your own personal fashion sense is always fab, but let’s be real–a studded dress does not exactly say, “give me this internship!”
- Accessorize. Since your clothes will be simple, how are you then supposed to express your personal style? My answer, as always, is to accessorize! Cute headbands are perfect, as they dress up your look while respectably keeping your hair out of your face. This is a great time to borrow a vintage piece from your mother or older sister as well. Don’t go overboard with huge pieces or crazy colors but have fun with your accessories.
- This is not the time to try out that Lady Gaga makeup tutorial! Less is definitely more in these situations, so try to keep your makeup color palette neutral or, if you want to wear some color, very soft and girly.
- Invest. Just like with formal or business attire, conservative basics are super smart investments to make now to avoid having to hunt them down at the last minute! Therefore, many of the pieces pictured will be slightly more expensive than what I typically show here.
Look One: A Bit Romantic
Product Information: Tights: Asos.com, Shirt: Karenmillen.com, Skirt: TopShop.com, Cardigan: Johnlewis.com, Flats: Piperlime.gap.com
This look is a bit of a romantic take on a conservative look. It would be perfect for any functions you may need to attend in February, which as all of us girls know, is the most romantic month of the year! This look would work for a dinner with family or any event where you want to look very put-together but still young and feminine.
The ruffles take the plain white blouse up a notch and look very vintage and adorable with a dusty rose colored skirt. Throw on a dark, classic crew-neck cardigan if you are going somewhere that requires you to cover up a bit more (or if it’s cold)! The styling is very much in the details for this look, as I picked tights with tiny hearts of them and shoes with ruffle detail reminiscent of the top.
For hair and makeup, I think the loose braid above (from Alexander Wang’s SS ’10 runway) would be perfect–a loose, delicate side braid and minimal makeup offset the intricate detailing of the outfit perfectly!
Look Two: Quirky Conservative
Product Information: Top: Monsoon.co.uk, Skirt: Johnlewis.com, Tights: Barneys.com, Blazer: Forever21.com, Heels: TopShop.com
This look shows that “conservative” does not have to equal boring! My inspiration for this look came from two very different sources that consistently make conservative look cute.
The first piece I found for this look was the bright yellow top, which I instantly loved since the material and shape allow you to have fun with your look while staying covered up. It reminded me of “Glee’s” resident quirky fashionista, Emma Pillsbury! (Learn how to dress like her here.) I channeled Emma’s fun use of colors and patterns with a woolen, tweed-like pencil skirt.
Of course, any time I think of tweed I automatically think of Chanel, so my second source of inspiration was a classic Chanel suit. Chanel suits are classic pieces, but Karl Lagerfeld always manages to keep them interesting. One way he does this–much like Ms. Pillsbury–is by mixing textiles. To attempt a similar look, I added detailed tights to the outfit. I then introduced a blazer for some extra coverage. To finish the look, I added one last spin on classic with an updated Mary Jane heel.
The result is a modern take on a sort of 70′s conservative look. I think wearing this outfit would be a great way to stand out in something like a scholarship interview, where the panel is sure to appreciate the pop of color! For hair and makeup, either channel Emma Pillsbury’s sweet, girlish waves and just-bitten lips, or go for the slightly more business-like look of pulled back hair, mascara, and matte skin.
Look Three: Keepin’ It Classic
Product Information: Dress: Modcloth.com, Cardigan: TopShop.com, Necklace: Zappos.com, Oxfords: Modekungen.se, Tights: Looklet.com
My last look is the most basic of the three, but I still tried to be a bit innovative by punching it up with some awesome accessories. If you have something slightly more formal to go to, take your cues from this look!
The little black dress I chose is a simple shift that is plain enough to allow for embellishments. Nudes are still super hot for spring, so I went with a very light, almost cream colored cardigan.
Now for the fun! First, I found a great pair of floral-print tights. These can be substituted for whatever tights are in your closet, including opaque ones in different colors (just make sure they are not too bright). Plain opaque tights would be better for a more formal event. Next, I added a detailed charm necklace that will grab attention when draped over the simple black dress.
Finally, I picked a pair of oxford flats to make the look modern–if oxfords are not your style, though, go for a chic pair of low black heels or some embellished flats. A simple chignon, mascara, and a light application of blush will complete this classic look!
What Do You Think?
Would these outfits work for any conservative events you have coming up? Do you have any specific looks you like to wear for more conservative occasions? How would you change these up to match your personal style? Let us know in the comments!
And if you have any “What Do I Wear There?” questions, let me know below. Yours may be featured in the next article!
Posted on on February 4, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Conservative, Inspiration, What Do I Wear There?
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Natalie
I love the quirky conservative look! It totally mixes the uniquity and classicness today. This is so what I’m wearing next time I go to interview for a scholarship/honor.
Jessica
This article is again very timely: I have a special reception to go to in the next few weeks.
My one question though is about those oxfords. Everybody’s wearing them on the fashion blogs I read, but to me they look exactly like the shoes I wore in marching band back in high school. I wonder if I can wear them instead of going out and buying oxfords?.. lol :)
Isabelle
Super cute outfits, I love all three of them!
Linda
LOL @Jessica … A couple years ago, I needed to a dressy outfit for a reception that I was attending while on marching band trip…Stupidly, I forgot to pack dress shoes, so I wore my marching band shoes. Strangely enough, I actually got compliments (from the people at the reception who weren’t in marching band with me…for us..it was a running joke ALL night). As long as the rest of your outfit is cute, I say go for it…lol worked for me :).
Love this article! … The outfits suggested are SUPER cute and I can’t wait to see this week’s list of coupons, so I can see what I can score online.
Luinae
The quirky conservative is my favourite!
Sam
I love these outfits! Great post! I always dress conservatively, so this post is perfect for me.
jem
Its always a good idea to have some conservative peices in ones wardrobe, and I think you highlighted some really good ways to wear these clothes.
anthea
Aw this makes me miss Glee even more. I love the last look with those oxfords..they tone down the dress a bit but still look sexy with the tights and dress. Love it!
Anna-Lisa
Emma is my favorite dressing-conservatively inspiration ever! She’s so cute.
Kelley
Love it! All the looks you put together are beautiful! Proof the conservative doesn’t have to be boring.
Suburban Sweetheart
I usually really like the outfits you pull together, but I have to say that the romantic outfit, while cute, is definitely NOT “conservative.” I like it, but it’s not something that I feel would be appropriate for an adult occasion. It’s a nice look, but it looks very juvenile…
Lulu
Love the looks but just a reminder about yo dressing conservative… Some churches, especially in Europe, will not even allow you to enter if your knees or shoulders are exposed.
Kate
I always dress conservative aswell, so I was excited to see this article!
Jacquie
I absolutely love the classic and romantic outfit. I just made a necklace that would go perfectly with all of them too (its on my blog)!
I have to admit i was abit afriad this post would be frumpy but you hit each outfit perfectly!!! totally modest yet still fashionable!!!!
love your outfits. never stop!
Brooke
omg I LOVE the romantic look! That is beautiful! Almost makes me want to cover up the girls for the boy. ;)
Anna
Cute looks!
To add to the church thing; some churches/dominations indeed don’t accept neither bare shoulders nor knees – in Rome, for example – but some don’t even accept trousers (not an issue in this article, but the skirts would be too short.) I had to wear a borrowed floor-length skirt OVER my jeans whenever I went to churches in Ukraine (that was not a good look – pick your own skirt and skip the jeans ;) They wanted headscarves too, so for really strict religious environments, pack one. Lest you want to look as ridiculous as I ended up looking in all borrowed goods, lol.
c
Brazil HELP !!
am supposed to go to brazil to study and i just read this article ( below ) about some girl who wore a MINI skirt got kicked out of Uni!
Um , I thought brazil was a fashion center in south america – sao paulo fashion week and all that … i hate to sound dumb and ditzy , but should i not be wearing skirts above my knees there?
Can anyone from brazil give me any advice here?
is there an unspoken skirt-length-law that i need to know about ?
(cause if there is , I neeeed to know ! )
it’s going to be Hot weather when I’m there , i don’t think i could survive in just jeans . .
http://jezebel.com/5400255/short-skirt-sparks-mass-hysteria-at-brazilian-university
“A 20-year-old student was expelled from Brazil’s Bandeirante University (Uniban) Sunday after hundreds of her classmates rioted over the length of her skirt.”
April
Great post! I, like some others who have commented, always dress conservatively too, so it is very nice to see examples of this. Conservative and modest doesn’t have to mean frumpy! Thanks for the inspiration!
TheWorkingWardrobe
Fantastic article! I love how each look is simple and yet still makes a statement and offers many options to mix and match with other pieces you would currently own. Thanks so much for sharing!
Rachel
I almost drooled over those shiny black patent Oxfords in your third outfit suggestion…Seriously I’m thinking I NEED a pair, even though I recently thrifted a really nice pair of men’s dress loafers from my town’s thrift store. But those Oxfords are just so darling! Also, super glad you mentioned Emma! I love Emma’s sense of style, I can only hope that when I’m in a professional setting I can dress as cheerily and spunky as Emma manages to. Love this post!
Erin
I’ve mentioned it in the comments before, when people ask what to wear for religious occasions, but I didn’t see it addressed here. In many churches (I would say all churches, but that’s just my sensibility), it is not appropriate to wear shoes that expose the toes. I know, Jesus wore sandals, and all that, and you’ll be wearing hose anyway if you’re in a skirt, but make sure to select close-toed shoes. Colleen noted that strappy details or very high heels might be best to leave behind — I say it’s much better to wear a high heel that covers your foot than a flat sandal, even if it is dressy for other, secular events.