How to stay modest and wear this season's most fashionable tops

I know. It sounds like it's an oxymoron. After all, modesty and fashion don't exactly go hand in hand any more, right? Well, you might be surprised. There is a growing trend among every day women who don't want to show the world everything, but still want to be fashionable. Let's take, for example, the top. Women's fashionable tops are often low cut and cling to your skin. But by using similar designs, in more modest cuts, you can achieve your goals. If you take the much loved wrap top, and simply pin it up a little higher, you get fashion and modesty. Instead of going for tiny "spaghetti strap" tops, go for a thick strap tank top in a deep, color rich jewel tone. Add a ballet-inspired shrug on to of it, and you have a modest outfit, that looks just as fashionable as any revealing top.

Of course, modest womens clothing isn't all about taking fashionable women's clothing and adding layers to cover up. Sometimes it's about taking a modest piece of clothing, a short sleeve scoop neck shirt for instance, and making it more fashionable. Choose rich colors and sumptuous fabrics to make a simple staple piece scream fashion. A black t-shirt becomes fashionable when it's made with silk. Add a simple necklace and nice wrist watch and match it with a pair of tweed wide leg trousers and some low heeled pumps and suddenly your are the picture of fashion. Or you can match a long sleeve angora sweater turtleneck with a mid calf skirt with a bit of a flare and you are ready to go! A hand knit cardigan (or a store bought cardigan that simply looks hand knit) in a soft decadent fabric (cashmere, anyone?) can help you take an outfit that normally is too revealing for work, and make it office appropriate.

It's hard to stay modest in an age of extreme exposure. But as long you remember that women's fashionable tops, and women's modest clothing are two terms that can mix. Adding those two concepts together can turn your wardrobe from either looking like it belongs to a Mennonite, or looking like it belongs to Brittany Spears, and make it a cohesive blend of fashion and modesty. That will get you far in society. Workplaces want a fashionable, well dressed, modest employee. And heads will turn as you walk down the street, comfortable in the knowledge that you look fashionable, and modest. Remember, the keys to success: flattering cuts, modest pieces, and eye catching rich color palettes in decadent fabrics.