Modest fashion was once confined to niche circles and countries, villages and even some cities around the globe, but over the past century people have been mixing, travelling and sharing their lives with these once-strangers, and thanks to the introduction of social media in the early 2000s, this has sped up the process of people becoming more connected with one another.

Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest have become a haven for people who are modest fashion enthusiasts and influencers. These platforms are not only introducing new members of the community to an array of styles, brands and fashion-forward pieces but are educating those from different backgrounds and cultures on what exactly modest fashion is to them, their beliefs and so much more, which is a very special experience.

This digital revolution has not only broadened the reach of modest fashion but also fostered a powerful sense of community from people who may not have had the luxury of meeting before. Celebrating diversity and individual expression in ways that people 30 years ago could have never imagined.

Before Social Media

If it weren’t for the rise of social media and these well-used social media platforms, it’s more than true that modest clothing shopping was a difficult task in certain areas, such as the Western world. While communities with stores that cater to their needs, this isn’t enough for certain women in the modest world to express their style and can lack important things that the modern modest fashionista would like to wear.

I had a Muslim friend when I was younger and she’s the one who shared the struggle of finding modest clothes that she liked. It was things like colours, styles and wanting to not look like her mother, which was the issue and shopping mainstream can usually lead to indulging in companies and styles that didn’t resonate with her religion and values. It’s a struggle having to continuously layer in the summer or mess around with garments that are too small or too big so accessibility was always a huge issue before social media. Especially if your mom or grandma wasn’t crafting with a sewing machine, it made this much harder for her.

The Rise Of Social Media

Social media changed everything for everyone beyond the modest industry, but it especially impacted them for the better. People were able to gain access to brands, styles and information that completely transformed their way of buying and dressing modestly. Inspiration and influence are massive things in human natures and with access to so many things, people and brands, this has transformed the way that modest fashion is seen and given individuals within this community the ability to speak out, contribute and create new designs that adhere to the morals and values.

This social media exposure you could say was the start of the modest shift with small designers getting the appreciation they deserve but also giving them a platform to advocate for the lack of choice available for these women. With runways becoming more popular, especially those located in Turkey and even talks of them joining Paris Fashion Weeks, this has been a huge milestone for women in this community and it’s truly inspiring and heartwarming to watch in real time it blossom into this only little fashion community.

Based on all of this, if you are a modest-wearing woman and are truly inspired by fashion, I would recommend this idea more than tapping into the world of designing, as it’s not a saturated market. You have every opportunity to stand out and deliver some creative, stunning and diverse choices for women alike to wear something modest and beautiful. It could be as simple as delving into a different abaya style or even gym wear, which is all the craze at the moment.

Sense of Community

The sense of community is one of the most transformative aspects of modest fashion’s presence on social media. Women from different backgrounds, cultures, and faiths are connecting over their shared appreciation for modest style but also connecting with like-minded people with similar values, passions and morals. A community, especially around fashion, is much more than just clothes and it’s about being seen as a minority. There are countless forums, blogs, websites and community chats that have allowed people like my friend to connect and relate to people.

Designers

As mentioned before, the fashion industry has been democratised by social media and designers who, while talented, were excluded from the opportunity to shine on there and be recognised, but from a personal view, I have seen all that change with the rise of apps like TikTok and Instagram.

If you are a small designer, you have a personal platform to post and be seen by a thousand different people every day, hour or even minute with something as simple as a 10-second video showing your designs. It’s given small designers and those who have been wanting to make their mark on the fashion industry the opportunity to share their designs for free.

Influencers

The rise of modest fashion influencers, along with social media’s emergence, has been amplified and it’s so heartwarming seeing that my friend and other like-minded people have women to look up to. These individuals with their impeccable style and authentic voices have become powerful advocates for inclusivity and representation.

There are many types of modestly dressed influencers, in different shapes, sizes, skin tones, skin types and cultural backgrounds to relate to and are influencers for different reasons, whether it be because they are a dental implant specialist or people just enjoy seeing their day-to-day. This is empowering other like-minded women to embrace their unique beauty and giving them the courage to shine. 

However, it’s common that influencers can also do the opposite and make people feel bad about their lives, whether it’s comparing their appearance or they aren’t happy that they aren’t as slim as them. The pressure to conform to certain beauty ideals is the same in the modest industry and can be intense. It’s important to remember that social media is usually a lie and currently highlights only the best points of lives, not showing you a complete, real and authentic life. It’s easy to get caught up in what you are and aren’t doing and wanting what other people have but it’s not natural and it’s not your path. 

Final Thoughts 

Despite the personal challenges that people face with social media, it’s had a massive positive impact on the representation of modest fashion and given women a chance to be inspired, connect and show their brand to like-minded people. Moving forward it will be crucial to continue fostering cultural inclusivity, authenticity and conscious consumption.