All beautiful (Hillary Swank--4th from the bottom?)

Oh my goodness. yes we totally messed that up. thanks for noticing!

Sandra Bullock's was my favorite look overall. My favorite modest look would have to be Alicia Vikander's.

Chandra
More Modern Modesty

Several of these are "modest" only in the sense that their arms are somewhat covered, but I would argue that the sheer panels and overall fit do not make many of these dresses modest. I guess it depends on your interpretation of the word. Personally, to me there is more to it than whether someone's arms are or are not covered. Just my two cents. Forgive me if this is something that has been addressed before.

Hey Kim! Thanks for the response! I think we just consider that all of these have nude linings. You can see where the linings end, some obviously a bit shorter than we would like or a bit lower up top. It's up to you guys if you think sheer with nude linings fall into the immodest category. I know we personally have used plenty of flesh colored linings under sheer blouses or dresses. But good conversation point! what do the rest of you think?

I love nude linings! I know that they may call too much attention and/or be considered immodest by some, but I love them anyway. I think it depends on what you're going for in terms of modesty. If you consider the allusion to skin or the illusion of skin immodest, then the nude linings would be immodest (depending on which part is being lined, of course). Nude sleeve linings as are probably fine for most people most of the time, though I can see how some would be uncomfortable with the ones that seem more suggestive.

And yes, there is always the ongoing argument into how clingy something should be, but that's definitely dependent upon body type and weight. For some, it's tent-like clothing or you'll be showing lots of curves. For others, they can wear practically anything, including getting away with much lower necklines. And there's everything in between. Perceptions of modesty or immodesty also depend heavily upon the "audience." For some, the only true modesty is a burqa. We probably shouldn't be too hard on each other and just do our own best to be modest.

Yes, I see what you're saying with the nude linings. I guess the point of a nude lining is to give the illusion of seeing skin - which again makes me lean towards not very modest. Kind of like the whole "sexy modest" thing, which seems to me to be a misnomer. To me, modesty is more than what flesh you are or are not exposing (upper arms, torso, whatever) and more about ... struggling to find the right word here (probably because it's so personal and varies so much from person to person, obviously). Like one of those gowns above with a nude lining on most of the upper leg seems less modest to me than someone wearing a tank top - if that makes any sense.

But I totally agree that it's all personal and that we're all just doing our best within whatever boundaries we (and our culture) have set for ourselves. Just food for thought.

I wonder what the designer of Alicia Vikander's gown would say about his intent with the nude lining. We should ask our boyfriend/husband, What do you think of this lace dress (that is see-thru up to the crotch)? It is the placement of the lace on the top, too, that is troubling. The lining is made to not appear obvious, you are definitely left with the idea that a tiny bit of strategically-placed lace is covering the nipple area of the breast. I have commented on Threadethic before, a few months ago, that these lace gowns are suggestive, I mean, at what other sensible conclusion can we arrive? Wish a modest blog would leave these off. Thanks for letting us share our impressions. My favorite gown is Allison William's...gorgeous!

Yea, I guess the most striking thing to me is that these dresses have the arms covered, which seems to be a thing in "modest" dressing, but the nude linings on a few are quite suggestive. Again, I suppose it just goes back to each individual's view on modesty and how they interpret it, and I'm not meaning to bash anyone's differing opinion or anything. We all just have to do what we think is right and what we feel good about. It's just something that struck me as I scrolled through these pictures.