Modesty

There’s a lot of focus on being modest on the outside. But what about being modest on the inside?

Modesty is a tricky topic for many people in the Church. Sometimes it is a topic only taught to girls and it only focuses on dress. However, many parents have questioned that approach because we know that modesty is much more than the length of a dress or the way clothes fit. We also know that our boys need to be taught the importance of modesty as well. Modesty is not just about covering our bodies. Modesty really encompasses how we feel, think, and behave. So how can we as parents teach this deeper meaning of modesty to our young men and women?

Searching for a modest prom dress can be discouraging, but there are actually numerous options—if you know where to look. Check out some of our favorite beautifully modest prom dresses for 2019.

Some of the hottest topics in Latter-day Saint culture revolve around our bodies. “Your body is a temple” is mantra repeated by dozens of youth and proper hemlines and lack of body art are vigorously scrutinized and emphasized by many within the Church. Tattoos are frequently described as a defacement of your body, a reminder of a mistake, and a potential inhibitor for serving a mission. There is an entire section in the For the Strength of Youth to emphasize modesty for women and men, explaining that “When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God.”

As Latter-day Saints, we understand that modesty encompasses much more than what we wear. It is a way of being. It is a way of understanding our potential as children of Heavenly Parents in everyday moments. It is about taking care of the divine and heavenly gifts we receive. It is a way of life.

Did you know Rosie Marie Reid used her fashion popularity to raise funds for the Los Angeles California Temple? When the Church was building the Los Angeles California Temple, Rose Marie wanted to help as much as she could. She designed a beautiful one-piece white swimsuit that was covered in hand-sewn sequins. And which hands sewed most of that sequins on? Relief Society sisters that Rose Marie enlisted to help. All the proceeds of this particular swimsuit went directly to help build the Los Angeles California Temple in the 1950s.

High fashion trends and modest apparel don't always go hand in hand. But occasionally you will find those moments when fashion embodies both style and modesty, creating a level of class that is unique and breathtaking.

Editor's note: This article is part of a series on what the Church has actually taught about various topics. To read more about the Church’s teachings on cremation, garments, beards, and more, click here.

Modesty is a topic that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. It’s difficult to know exactly what is and isn’t modest with so many different clothing options and definitions of modesty.

Marissa Barlow, a 19-year-old fashion designer from Logan, Utah, recently participated in the Emerging Designer Bootcamp leading up to Phoenix Fashion Week. All of Barlow's hard work paid off when she was named Phoenix Fashion Week's "Designer of the Year" on October 20, 2018.

Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “Dare to Stand Alone”, byPresident Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov. 2011, 60.

Summer is upon us once again, and what better way to celebrate the warm weather than with a new swimsuit? Here are our picks for lounging by the pool or hanging out at the beach.

Why are white shirts and ties an expected standard for Latter-day Saint men?

Before my first Olympic appearance, I was invited to attend an incredibly comprehensive social event known as the Media Summit. This national event attracts every newspaper, magazine, television broadcast, charity foundation, and webcast with any interest in sports, health, or fitness. Athletes expected to do well in the Olympics received invitations to attend, and we were asked to bring a variety of clothes to wear throughout the event. They wanted workout clothes, “Sunday best,” formal wear, competition gear and equipment, “going out” outfits, winter gear, and then basically anything else left in your closet after packing all of these items.

"Dress codes are often necessary and helpful to ensure everyone is on the same page about what to wear, but they can be written from a place of love, understanding and respect, rather than from a place of fear."

This year's Golden Globes saw an uncommon number of celebrities sporting modest dresses. Last night, women wore black dresses in solidarity with #TimesUp, a movement protesting sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace.

Need a fall dress or two that you can layer and style until winter? We've got you covered—er, rather these dresses will—with 20 stylish, modest options.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that modesty is more than just clothing—it is a way of thought, action, and attitude, in addition to dress.

Another Emmy Awards has come and gone—and with it some pretty stunning dresses. While we know modesty encompasses so much more than how you dress, we compiled this list of modest dresses from the 2017 Emmys merely to provide inspiration for your own fashion ideas.

Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read "Mothers and Daughters," by M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 2010, 18-21.

In the last couple of weeks, the temperatures have skyrocketed and summer is certainly here to stay. If you're anything like me, you've been frantically searching for something cute to wear to church that won't make you feel like you're melting because fanning yourself with the announcement sheet can only do so much. But don't worry! I've got you covered—er, rather these dresses will. Here are 15 modest dresses to help you keep cool this summer.

It's that time again! The sun is coming out to stay and temperatures are warming. We've scoured all of our favorite stores to round up enough cute knee-length shorts to keep you cool this summer.

Kathryn is the founder, owner, and designer of Kate's Camisoles—an online boutique born in 2002 from the desire to be modest while still wearing fashionable items such as sheer and lacy tops. The idea for the camisoles was born when Kathryn saw a woman in a white, somewhat sheer top that exposed all of her undergarments. When out shopping a few days later, Kathryn realized there was nothing both classy and comfortable that would also cover a woman's undergarments. Deciding she needed a camisole made of superior fabric that was lightweight and that continued to look new after multiple wears, she set out to make exactly what she wanted. She scoured Los Angeles' fabric market, testing fabrics until she found something that wouldn't shrink, that was colorfast so the die wouldn't fade or run, and was comfortable. She designed her own patterns, had her first batch of Classic Cami's produced, and launched Kate's Camisoles.

Summer is upon us once again, and what better way to celebrate the warm weather than with a new swimsuit? Here are our picks of the very best LDS swimwear!

Another Academy Awards has come and gone—and with it some pretty stunning dresses. While we know modesty encompasses so much more than how you dress, we compiled this list of modest dresses from the 2017 Oscars merely to provide inspiration for your own fashion ideas.

My Dear Boys,

After last year's performance, which was full of technical difficulties and other blunders, Adele wanted to get this year's performance at the Grammys right, especially since it was in honor of the late George Michael, who died Christmas day 2016.

Current high-fashion trends and modest apparel don't always go hand in hand. But, occasionally, you will find those rare moments when fashion embodies both style and modesty, creating a level of class that is unique and breathtaking.

"Over the last few days, an Instagram/Twitter post from James (The Mormon) has gone viral. The post exposes a few critical comments on an open shouldered dress I wore to a New Years Eve party, a seemingly inconsequential choice of dress at the time," Lindsey shares on James the Mormon's blog. She had no idea that choice would make her the topic of conversation across several social media sites.

It all started as a simple Instagram photo. James the Mormon posted a picture of himself and his girlfriend—a beautiful woman who was wearing a black shirt that showed her shoulders.

For her 11th birthday, Allie Lunt's party theme was Project Runway. Now, just three years later, Lunt's birthday wish is coming true as she participates in Project Runway Junior, set to premiere on December 22.

What is it about Halloween that makes people feel okay about showing more skin than usual?

I guess I should not have been surprised when some of the top news stories on my Facebook feed were about modesty once school started, but I was.

The “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet was most recently updated in 2022. Here's a look at how this youth handbook has changed since its first publication in 1965.

This September, LDS fashion designer Aleksandra Salo will be featuring 20 of her designs during New York Fashion Week.

The Kawamitsu family got their start in stardom performing martial arts throughout the United States. The eldest of the four famous siblings, Aikashi, was obsessed with Jackie Chan. “I really wanted to be an action star,” Aikashi shares. “So I forced the younger ones [to join in]. And I would tell them you can’t eat food until you practice, and so I was really strict,” he says with a laugh.

From creating a series of videos produced by the Church about temples, missions, education, and modesty to living her faith, Ariel Pearse is using the Miss World New Zealand pageant to spread the gospel.

It's time to splash into summer, and what better way to celebrate the warm weather than with a new swimsuit? Here are our picks of the very best LDS swimwear!

In an interview with Omika, Ariel Pearse, Miss World New Zealand who will be competing in the international competition later this year, unabashedly shared her LDS faith, speaking about her mission, the power of prayer, the lessons she's learned from living with a physically disabled brother, and the importance of modesty in our lives.

Current high fashion trends and modest apparel don't always go hand in hand. But, occasionally, you will find those rare moments when fashion embodies both style and modesty, creating a level of class that is unique and breathtaking.

After working as a model in New York then in Tokyo, Rosemary Card found that people were constantly pushing for her to do things and dress in a way that didn't match her standards. In trying to discover her next step, she received an unexpected answer in the temple.

We recently noticed an article on POPSUGAR titled 25 Photos That Will Convince You to Go Modest on Your Wedding Day. We loved finding an article promoting more modest wedding dresses, and were even more excited to find that several Latter-day Saints made it into the mix with their modest temple wedding dresses. Can you spot them? We sure could! Here are just a few we noticed.

MR says: Looking for fun, fashionable, and modest fall clothes? Whether you are a sister missionary or not, there's a great new resource that all LDS women will love.

MR says: Whether you are preparing for a mission, recently endowed, or looking for a change, there's a lot to look for when choosing garments.

Remember when Noelle Pikus-Pace stood for her standards at a photo shoot? Bialik commended her and even posted the story to her Facebook page. And just like many Mormons who live their values on and off the screen, Mayim Bialik is an example of standing for her belief in modesty--no matter what those around her think.