One way we like to make immodest clothing modest is through layering. In fact, there are plenty of online stores out there dedicated to selling clothing for layering. While layering is certainly appropriate and useful in some situations, is it always appropriate? Is there a point where we draw the line? Where clothing is just too immodest to be made modest?
Layering can be used when tops are too low cut, have low backs, are see-through, or are too short in order to cover up exposed skin, but exposed skin isn’t the only potential problem.
Layering clothing (intended to be worn under an immodest piece of clothing) tends to be skin tight. This can be a problem when tops are more than a little too short or low (borderline to slightly immodest) or when clothing is see through.
Where clothing is see-through, wearing a tight shirt underneath doesn’t do much since your form is still revealed. If you can layer with a looser top, or the top has a built-in under layer (which is not too tight), a see-through top may be fine, barring other potential problems.
For shirts that are more than a little too short (reveal midriff), the under layer will still reveal your form. The increase in modesty is minimal and it still isn’t modest. If a loose top can be worn underneath, wearing the shirt may still be a possibility, though that raises other questions.
Low cut shirts present a few problems. For backs and fronts that are more than a little too low, the difference in looseness can cause problems. The issue mentioned above of your form still being revealed is also present. When they are very much too low (plunging necklines), the lines they create can still make them immodest since they draw the eye to those areas anyway.
Low backs can be dealt with by wearing a button up or zipper shirt over top, assuming you don’t plan on taking it off. For low necklines, on the other hand, there really is no solution, unless you plan on wearing it underneath another shirt (with a modest neckline, etc.).
Sleeves are another area in which layering can be used. There are different standards on how much of your arm should be covered, but whatever the case, your shoulder and underarm (or whatever you consider to be modest) should be covered by non-skin-tight opaque fabric.
Layering is a great technique to make shirts with small problems modest, but it is not the do-all end-all of making things modest. Some clothing is just too immodest to be made modest by layering or other techniques.
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You also have the option of sewing a strip of fabric on! If done properly, it works great!
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Miss Lisa's reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Yes, that is another option, and it probably works better too, if you can sew or have fabric to do that (which I don’t…).
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Good points, Miss Lisa.
I see many girls nowadays who try and layer. The problem is, these layers definetly make the clothes clingy and tight, and reveal too much about the girl’s figure. Plus, there tends to be this rather annoying habit of always yanking down on at least one of the layers which might ride or bunch up. Not so feminine! :-(
If this is even layering, sometimes I wear a t-shirt over a long sleeve shirt but the tee is real loose. I don’t particularly care for this style of dressing, though. I think we ladies of femininity can do better, don’t you?
Leah Kathryn
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Miss Lisa's reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Of course we can do better. There are lots of other issues with layering that I didn’t discuss (femininity being one of them). Generally one layer, assuming the shirt over top is loose enough isn’t a problem, but when there’s four layers, clinging and revealing are definitely a problem, as is riding up, since they all move together. (Although that can still be a problem with just one layer.)
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Good thoughts. My layering pet peeve are the lacy camis used as an underlayer. Just seems like a slip showing to me!
I do like a plain black tank top, though. It can be tucked in, and then it doesn’t get seen unless it needs to be (ie instead of skin.)
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Miss Lisa's reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Good point. I agree regarding lacy camis and I, personally, think a black or white tank top underneath is probably most appropriate. It doesn’t stand out & it’s there if it’s needed.
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I feel like I’ve been screaming “common sense” from the top of my lungs for over a week now. It’s beginning to drive me slightly crazy. I had a nice little rant on Facebook yesterday and then another one today because it seems to me that people are often looking for excuses to go their own way instead of walking on the narrow path.
Anyway, I digress in a major way. Brevity has also not been at its height lately.
I have to layer, mostly because the summer clothes that are available these days are very low cut. I also have a very unusual body type (I was… “blessed” with a chest that clothing manufacturers seem to think needs to be shown off at all times) and therefore I don’t have much choice but to layer my summer clothes or to wear clothing that is so loose it makes me look even bigger than I am (and I’m pretty heavy to begin with).
Generally speaking, I opt for loose, well fitted clothes. In other words, nothing that’s going to fall off of me, but clothing which has a bodice. Otherwise I just wind up looking kind of… Lumpy.
Because these tops are usually lower cut (and often have very short sleeves or no sleeves), I layer a long sleeved t-shirt or a turtle neck under them. Not so great in the summer, but it works for me, is actually *slimming* and it’s modest.
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Layering is a lifesaver for me! I hate wearing sleeves that are too short, partially because I don’t like my upper arms – so slipping on a longer-sleeved shirt underneath does the trick. I also love the look of some scoop-neck shirts, but sometimes the neckline is too loose around the shoulders and falls a bit too low – throwing on a camisole with a higher neck (a substantial one, not one of the see-through or lacy ones) makes me feel more comfortable and covered-up.
Also, I’ve discovered a new-to-me layering trick I love: if there’s a skirt that falls to the knee or above, I just slip on some leggings! They’re sooo comfy, and cover my legs without looking bad or unfashionable. They generally cling pretty closely to the skin, but since it’s only the lower portion of my legs being seen and I usually wear black ones, I don’t feel like I’m revealing too much. Yay, layering. Haha. :)
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