I'm a Modest Dresser, Here Are the Trends I'll Actually Be Wearing This Year

As a modest dresser, there were a number of hoops I had to jump through to be able to dress how I wanted to while growing up. Stores didn't offer the more relaxed silhouettes you see on their sites today, and without the high presence of social media like there is now, there was less awareness of smaller brands that were actually selling those kinds of clothing. Luckily today it's quite a different story. While there still is plenty more to be done, there's now a variety of trends that are coming down the runway that fit perfectly into my lifestyle, and you see more and more modest fashion folk being included in campaigns, shows, and the style scene in general. 

Although I love trends as much as the next person, I'm still a firm believer that despite the desire to hold onto anything fashion puts out, I will always prioritize choosing things to wear that keep me comfortable and will decide for myself what I want to wear, rather than trying to fit myself into every trend on the market. So instead of trying to follow every one, I picked through and found 8 that were my favorites and aligned most with how I feel comfortable dressing. If you're a modest dresser, or simply want to incorporate the style into more of your outfits, then you've come to the right place. From voluminous dresses to knit sets, I found myself saving tons of runway images to take outfit inspiration from this season.

Basic Maxis

Out of all the trends, this just might be my favorite and the most versatile. I own two and as of now, I've already worn both more than twice. You can wear them as is or pair them with a vest or jacket. 

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Sportsmax S/S 2021
(Image credit: Courtesy of Sportsmax)

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

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Pant Layering

I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to like this at first but I've slowly become a fan. In traditional Pakistani attire, it's common to layer long shirts/dresses with pants, so I don't see why I can't trickle the style into my everyday wardrobe as well. 

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Baum Und Pferdgarten S/S 2021:
(Image credit: Imaxtree)

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @mariaalia)

Volume

While sheer and cutout dresses took reign of the runways, what caught my eye this season was the extra volume added in dresses and skirts. It takes a simple piece to the next level and is great for those who want to stray from form-fitting pieces. 

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Cecilie Bahnsen S/S 2021:

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @noore)

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Baggy Jeans

While I've always opted for more of a wide-leg fit on jeans, it wasn't till recently where I took the plunge into oversized baggy styles. I'm not sure why it took me so long because they're incredibly comfortable and I'm not sure If I'll go back to anything tighter. 

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Chanel S/S 2021:

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @claire_most)

Hoodies

Hooded sweatshirts will always be in style, no doubt—but there's been a recent surge in taking the comfy item and elevating it with the styling whether it's over dresses or with sophisticated trousers and blazers. 

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Prada S/S 2021:

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @basicstouch)

Wrap Skirts

Summer of last year may have been a top moment for wrap dresses, but I'm excited to see more of wrap skirts trickle into the fashion scene. I still love the dresses, but I think the skirts provide additional options with layering and styling. 

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Coperni S/S 2021:

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @hodanyousuf)

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Knit Sets

With 2020 consisting of more people turning to comfort in their clothing, I'm not surprised that knit sets will be heading into this year as well. Who wouldn't want to keep these on? They make it easy to put together an outfit with minimal effort required. 

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Nanushka S/S 2021:
(Image credit: Courtesy of Nanushka)

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

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Relaxed Trousers

When I used to think of trousers, I used to think of typical office attire that I didn't find myself resonating with. What I didn't realize is that you can pair relaxed trousers with anything—even a graphic shirt or hoodie and it creates the perfect high-low ensemble. 

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Louis Vuitton S/S 2021:
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @laurencaruso_)

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Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.