This post: modest summer outfits
Looking for inspo on modest summer outfits? I’ve got you covered, Sister!
I’ve teamed up with two of my favorite fashion influencers, Kedesha + Nipa, to inspire you with cute modest outfits for summer.
Together we’ve curated 20 timeless looks, but first-
A quick introduction:
Kedesha is a wife, homeschooling mom of three + the beautiful fashionista behind Prim + Proper (one of my favorite Instagram accounts). Kedesha is a beach-loving girl from Florida + loves featuring coastal-inspired outfit ideas that are modest, feminine + absolutely chic.
Nipa inspires us from upstate New York via her blog, FashioNipa.com, + Instagram. A former fashion designer, Nipa is a wife, mom of three + avid fashionista. Her goal is to help women curate outfits that are timeless + versatile.
And then there’s Yours Truly (Kristy). I’m a pastor’s wife + mom of five who believes every woman can create a wardrobe she loves. I bend toward tailored, vintage-inspired outfits that are timeless, feminine + completely classic. My personal fashion icon is Kate Middleton.
20 of the Best Modest Summer Outfits
Kedesha, Nipa + I curated twenty of our best classic summer looks to share with you today.
Most of the pieces are still available online; check the “shop the look” links for each outfit to find exact or similar styles from our favorite online shops.
Speaking of online shops, here are our top brands for finding modest, classy wardrobe staples (you’ll find lots of these brands featured throughout this post):
We also shop Target + Amazon for inexpensive but timeless looks.
I (Kristy) can’t neglect to mention my personal wardrobe staple: the Halftee. You’ll find this little cami as a foundational piece in many of my outfits.
Now on to the summer fashion show!
White Summer Outfit Inspo
Here in the south, summer is officially in full swing after Memorial Day. But here’s a secret: I wear white year-round if I feel like it. xoxo
There is something extra fun about wearing white in the summer, however. Kedesha + I have two white summer outfit ideas below.
#1: White Balloon-Sleeve Dress from Target
Kedesha styled the Balloon-Sleeve dress (from Target) beautifully with newly released “Grear” sandals (in Navy + Ocean) by Sarah Flint.
For a short-sleeve style that’s similar, check my links below.
Shop the look:
- white balloon-sleeve dress from Target
- short-sleeve style: tiered ruffle-sleeve dress by JCrew
- straw bag by Gap
- Italian leather sandals by Sarah Flint
#2: White Puff-Sleeve Top + Pencil Skirt
I love styling a pretty top with a pencil skirt! The volume in this puff-sleeve blouse (a boutique find) gives some shape to my otherwise narrow shoulders.
The sandals by Pashion Footwear convert to heels. Sweet!
Shop the look:
- white top: here’s a similar style on Amazon
- floral pencil skirt: similar style by Boden
- The Sandal: by Pashion Footwear in “Whiskey Leather”
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
Summer Maxi Skirts
Summer maxi skirts + dresses (we’ll get to those in a minute) have been trending for a while now, and I’m so glad! They are typically feminine, modest, versatile + surprisingly cool to wear during warm months.
Below, Nipa + Kedesha show us some of their favorite ways to style iconic summer maxi skirts.
#3: Maxi Skirt + Button Down Shirt
Kedesha is happiest when she’s at the beach! The bright + breezy vibes of this outfit make you want to take off your shoes + run in the sand!
Shop the look:
- button down shirt: Old Navy
- blue foral maxi skirt, out-of-stock at JCrew (similar style on Amazon)
- wedges: JCrew
- mini bag: Neely and Chloe
#4: Maxi Skirt + Tee Shirt
When Nipa wants to dress up a little more, she reaches for a maxi skirt. She styled this pink floral maxi with a chic white tee + strappy sandals. The options below create a similar look.
Shop the look:
- Ruffle Wrap Maxi Skirt: & Other Stories
- GAP Modern Crewneck T-Shirt
- Yara Leather Strappy Sandals: Ann Taylor
- handbag is the Mini Soft Moon Bag from Staud
Knee-Length Summer Skirts
I ran across an article recently at Em Henderson’s blog about creating a “summer uniform,” or basically a summer capsule wardrobe. The idea is to have 3 to 5 staple pieces you can mix-and-match at a moment’s notice for a cute outfit.
I’m totally into this + the knee–length summer skirt is my jam! (I personally opt for this wardrobe piece over the maxi skirt.)
Below are three ways I mix up my casual summer look with my favorite wardrobe staple: a knee-length denim skirt.
#5: Knee-Length Denim Skirt + Flutter-Sleeve Blouse
This outfit is from my casual summer capsule wardrobe: flutter-sleeve top + knee-length skirt + leather slides.
Shop the look:
- button-front denim skirt: similar style by Banana Republic
- navy polka-dot flutter-sleeve top
- Italian leather slides by Antonio Melani
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
#6: Knee-Length Denim Skirt + Peplum Top
If I want to dress-up my casual look a bit, I opt for a pretty peplum top.
It’s an especially flattering style for us girls with a “rectangle” body shape (small shoulders + hips).
Shop the look:
- button-front denim skirt: similar style by Banana Republic
- floral peplum top: similar style
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
More Summer Skirts for Women
#7: A-Line “Corinne” Skirt by Boden
I’m a loyal fan of Boden, a preppy British clothing brand. I own several of their “Corinne” skirts in various lengths. These skirts are fully-lined, have pockets + a hidden zipper, and are incredibly well-made.
Below is an outfit I styled with one of Boden’s island-inspired, knee-length prints.
Shop the look:
- coral cap sleeve top: similar style
- “Corinne” skirts by Boden, current prints
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
- “Mirjana” Italian leather slides (in White Calf) by Sarah Flint
Summer Athleisure Outfits
#8: Athleta Trousers + Tee
Nipa works from home, so most days she wears pants + a t-shirt with a cardigan or wrap. Athleta is one of her favorite brands. Nipa shares,
Their clothing is high-quality, comfortable, and affordable. They are also a B-Corp which means that they have high standards for ethical and environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.
Shop the look:
- Organic Daily Printed Tee (same style, new print)
- Stellar Trouser
- Pranayama Wrap (Nipa’s is an older style called Nirvana Wear Two Ways Wrap)
- Leather slides by Ann Taylor
#9: Jeans + a Tee
Nipa says,
For running errands, I usually wear my loose fitting J.Crew crop-flare jeans with a t-shirt and sandals. I almost always carry a snack and water bottle so I like to have a tote bag as well as my handbag.
Shop the look:
- Banana Republic Slub Cotton-Modal Crew-Neck T-shirt
- J.Crew 9″ Demi-Boot Crop Jean in Dark Wash
- Alltrue (Causebox) Feed Bag
Modest Summer Dresses
#10: Tank Dress
When Nipa wants to ‘dress up’ but stay as comfortable as she feels in athleisure outfits, she wears this Amazon tank dress.
Probably the most affordable dress I’ve ever purchased, but it washes well and fits like a dream!
Shop the look:
- Amazon Essentials Women’s Tank Swing Dress
- espadrilles by JCrew
#11: Midi T-Shirt Dress
This T-shirt dress ticks all the boxes for casual summer wear: no ironing or layering required; it’s comfy + flattering; and STRIPES!
Shop the look:
- midi T-shirt dress by JCrew
- tortoise-shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
- Italian leather slides by Antonio Melani
#12: The Oxford Shirtdress
Stepping out for the day? Nipa recommends the polish and ease of a shirtdress! She styled this Oxford shirtdress (by JCrew) with a skinny belt, wedges + a chic wicker handbag.
Shop the look:
#13: The Vintage-Inspired Dress
I love a vintage-inspired dress! This one had me a green + polka dots.
Shop the look:
- green polka dot midi dress
- white HalfTee cami (code KristysCottage20) to save 20%
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
- “Mirjana” Italian leather slides (in White Calf) by Sarah Flint
#14: The Popover Dress
Kedesha looks a vision in this summery blue popover dress by Draper James. She completed the look with classic white sandals + a wicker crossbody bag.
Shop the look:
#15: The Classic Black-and-white Dress
Nothing speaks class like a well-fitting black-and-white dress!
I’m a fan of Talbots brand and own several of their black (or black-and-white) dresses. The dress featured in the photo above is out-of-stock, but below are several summer-worthy options for this season:
B&W summer dresses from Talbots:
- flutter sleeve midi dress (different style but same print as the dress shown above)
- jersey knit faux wrap dress
- sleeveless ponte dress
- fit-and-flare dress
- sheath dress
Shop the look:
#16: The Maxi Wrap Dress
Kedesha’s dreamy look is simple but classicaly feminine. She paired this “fairy floral” maxi wrap dress (JCrew) her favorite leather sandals, this time in brown.
Shop the look:
#17: The Midi Wrap Dress
Midis are delightfully feminine + perfect for summertime! Kedesha is wearing the Miranda midi wrap (in cherry blossom) by Draper James.
Shop the look:
#18: The Casual Maxi Dress
I’m a fan of casual summer maxi dresses. They’re easy to wash, wear + style!
Below are some of my handpicked favorites.
Casual summer maxi dresses:
- knit tank maxi dress by JCrew
- Dolly jersey maxi dress by Boden
- Poppy jersey maxi dress by Boden
- V-neck maxi with pockets from Amazon
- short-sleeve maxi with pockets (similar to the style pictured above)
Shop the look:
Modest Summer Tops
If you’re looking for modest summer tops, let me show you a few of my favorites. The looks below are feminine + preppy, and will keep you covered without extra layers or heat.
#19: Nautical-inspired Summer Tops
Navy-and-white stripes give a festive nod to the beach and are especially iconic for a preppy summer time wardrobe.
Here are a few of my handpicked favorites:
- Faye jersey top by Boden
- Evie linen striped shirt by Boden
- short-sleeve Breton by Boden (a personal favorite)
- tie-front striped top (similar to the style pictured above)
Shop the look:
#20: Flutter-sleeve Summer Tops
Flutter-sleeve tops are a huge part of my summer capsule wardrobe. They’re incredibly comfortable + feminine.
When I need a little more coverage, I simply wear a cap sleeve Halftee underneath.
A few of my personal favorite flutter-sleeve tops–
from Amazon:
Designer brands:
Shop the look:
- cap sleeve Halftee
- button-front denim skirt by Banana Republic
- tortoise shell sun glasses by Kate Spade
- white sneakers by Boden
So these are a few of our favorite modest summer outfits.
If you love the looks featured in this post, be sure + follow Kedesha, Nipa + me online!
- Connect with Kedesha on Instagram @PrimandProper81.
- Follow Nipa on Instagram (@fashionipa) + on her blog, Fashionipa.com.
- You’ll find me on Instagram @simplykristylynn + you can subscribe to this lifestyle blog right here.
Your turn.
Do you have a favorite summer outfit? Tell me about it!
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How fun!! Thanks for putting this together! Do you post modest fashion pics on Pinterest? I’ve been looking for modest business attire inspiration!