How to dress modestly as a Christian woman? A how-to guide. First and foremost, I want you to know that you’re God’s masterpiece, loved, beautiful, and a giver of grace. Now that said, let’s dive into the frame of that masterpiece. 

As a single woman, I want to look fashionable and dress modestly as a Christian. But sometimes, fashion and modesty don’t go together, like the latest trend of wearing underwear as shorts. 

Now, I am not judging those wearing underwear as shorts, but I am saying that style does not fit into my values as a Christian woman. It also seems ridiculous. 

So, how do you dress as a Christian woman, honor your beliefs, and still look fashionable and not frumpy? 

Here are some practical tips on dressing as a Christian woman who loves God—honoring your beliefs and faith while looking fashionable. 

First on, how to dress as a Christian women

Modestly

Now, modest dressing can be different from one location to another. It can also be different according to the climate. But modest dressing, to me, is not overly showing anything, legs, bust, butt, or even shoulders in some cultures. 

Here are some examples of modest dress attire for current times. 

Tips for modest dressing.

• Get the right fit.
• Opt for a little more coverage.
• Layer up

Get the right fit

Fit is an important aspect to look fabulous and fashionable and to dress modestly as a Christian woman. Here are some tips on getting the right fit,

Try it on. 

You might hate trying clothes on in-store, but this is the fastest way to know whether they fit right. I buy most of my clothes online, and I try them on at home. If they don’t fit well or look good, I send them back. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can try some pieces before you buy.

There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable with what you are wearing. 

Alter if needed.

I found some adorable modest dresses, except they were short. So, I adjusted the hemline. First check the dress to see if it has enough fabric to adapt the hemline. 

The next tip on how to dress modestly, 

Opt for more coverage.

I know some styles are cropped, sheer, short, and tight. This is not modest dressing for Christian women. But if worn in the right way, they can work, just not at the same time or all at once. 

So, if you are wearing something sheer, cover up underneath. Wear a tank top that covers everything under the blouse. If you are wearing a sheer skirt, wear something under it to make it more conservative. 

If you are wearing an above-the-knee dress or skirt, wear tights or make sure you have on some biker shorts or “boy short underwear.” I call them my “animal crossing” underwear. It is from the game that was very popular during Covid. 

The next on how to dress modestly as a Christian woman,

Layer up

Layering up can be a game changer when it comes to modest dressing. 

Now that blazers are on trend, it’s easy to look great, be stylish, and dress modestly with one. 

I live in Texas, and let me tell you, in the summer, you will see skin—shouldersrs, legs, arms. When its ‘100+ degrees outside you minimize clothes. In Texas modest dressing shows a little more because of the heat.

It’s okay to adapt when you are out in public; have some layers ready. 

Here is an example. I wear a tank top and long shorts. When I am driving, I just wear this. But when I get ready to go inside somewhere, like a church event, a casual meeting, or going out for coffee, I put on a blazer with mid-length sleeves. 

It can also get cold from 100 degrees outside to 70 degrees inside. So, layers help with this as well. 

The next in how to dress modestly as a christian woman you should,

Dress for yourself while considering others.

I like to dress in different styles depending on where I am going and who I am meeting. Dressing according to the culture I am going to, but I also like to have my style while respecting the culture I am going to. 

I think it’s so important to like how you look and your own sense of style.

An example would be skirts. Some people like to wear them constantly, while others can’t stand them. You can where either one wearing a skirt or jeans, and represent your beliefs. 

Just feel comfortable in who you are and what you like to wear. 

Now, if you are traveling to a different country, many places would never let you into a church as a woman unless your shoulders were covered. 

This is when your style might need to change to fit the culture you’re traveling to. 

What the Bible says about how to dress modestly as a Christian woman.

In the verse in Timothy, Paul writes about how women should dress. He did this because the church had problems, and Paul wanted to address some wrong theology. Here is the background to 1 Timothy from the Bible Project. 

 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

My personal experience.

When I was on a mission trip to Africa, one of the ladies wore a lot of gold jewelry, which one of the leaders noticed. The day we were going to speak in a school with kids who struggled financially, the team leaders asked her not to wear jewelry. 

She did not listen and wore it anyway, and the kids just kept staring at her jewelry the whole time. They pointed to it and whispered to each other. 

These students couldn’t go to school on days they washed their uniforms because they only had one. If girls got their period, they had to stay home from school because they couldn’t afford pads or tampons. This was the reality of their lives.

Now, I will not say why the woman wore her jewelry. Only she knows. I do believe it put more of a divide between us and the students, who we were there to minister to. I always want the message or testimony I share to be supported by what I wear, and not let my clothes or jewelry become a hurdle to overcome.

Now, whenever I lead teams, I let them know that we will be dressing to reach the people we will serve. On my trips to financially stressed areas, like orphanages, social justice outreaches, or refugee camps, I ask them to dress modestly and with minimalist jewelry. Since adding this to the pre-trip planning, I have never had a problem with the teams I have led personally.

The next on how to dress modestly as a Christian woman you need to,

Dress appropriately for the occasion.

Different places require different outfits.

If you are going to a formal wedding, you won’t wear the same outfit as if you were going to watch kids in Sunday school. 

Knowing how to dress modestly as a Christian woman also means knowing what occasion to dress for—business, brunch with friends, mission trips. 

Know where you are going and dress appropriately. 

Please remember pajamas are not an outfit. If you slept in it, don’t wear it out; change before you go. Which lead to the next tip.

Look put together

I’ve been blessed to meet people all over the world. And some only have two shirts and two shorts or pants. That is all the clothes they owned and yet they looked clean and put together. The clothes were ironed to perfection and cleaned their shoes daily.

They valued what they have and take special care of what they own.

As we go out every day, we also reflect our beliefs and values. Although possessions are not important, reflecting Jesus is, so looking put together is so important in how to dress modestly as a Christian woman. I know life gets busy with family, work, and situations, but just taking a little bit more time will probably make you feel better. I know I do. 

Now, the last thing that is incredibly important on how to dress modestly as a Christian woman.

Dress to give grace. 

No matter what you wear and how you wear it, you can give yourself and others grace. Don’t worry about looking perfect or, like the social media influencer, dress to give yourself and others grace. 

Before you get ready to go out in your fabulous style, remember this verse in Colossians 3.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12-13

Giving grace and receiving grace will help you look and feel better. And I believe when we give grace no matter what we are wearing others will receive us better.

Here is a brief recap of all the tips. 

1. Modestly
2. For yourself while considering others.
3. Appropriate for the occasion
4. Put together
5. Dressed to give grace

Now you have my tips remember the most important thing is knowing that God loves you. And to give yourself grace and others.

I pray this article will help you dress confidently, ready to show yourself and others grace. If you liked this article, please share it and leave a comment below. 

You can also check out some of these related articles. 

How to deepen your faith as you travel

Faith and Fashion: How to be Stylish While Honoring Your Beliefs

Pack Light, Serve Big: Your Essential Guide to Mission Trip Packing

10 benefits of mission trips for personal growth