modesty

mode of dress

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Modesty, in the context of dress, refers to a style of clothing that avoids revealing the body and is not sexually suggestive. This concept is deeply intertwined with cultural and religious standards of decency. Historically, religious traditions like Christianity and Islam have emphasized modest dress for women, advocating for coverage from head to foot to instill purity and modesty.12

While the definition of modesty in dress can vary across cultures and time periods, it generally involves a preference for attire that is conservative and respectful of societal norms. This can be seen in the clothing choices of various religious groups, such as conservative Muslims or the Amish and Mennonites.21

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Female display
…to simultaneously demonstrate and inculcate modesty, both religions exhorted women to be clothed from head to foot. St. Paul wrote to Timothy “that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits…
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…to simultaneously demonstrate and inculcate modesty, both religions exhorted women to be clothed from head to foot. St. Paul wrote to Timothy “that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits…
Read More