Modesty in Manhattan
Faith and Fast Fashion In NYC
In an era obsessed with fleeting trends and viral aesthetics, finding a personal style rooted in meaning feels like an act of rebellion. The uniform of the season is dictated by influencers, feeding trends into the hungry mouths of fast fashion brands.
Before you know it, every girl is waking the cobblestone of Manhattan wearing the identical microtrend of the week. Trends emerged as a way to encourage repeat purchases, creating a cycle of constant craving for something fresh and exciting. Fast fashion turns that craving into an addiction- we keep coming back for more "it" pieces- at lightning speed and bargain prices. Suddenly, personal style isn’t about individuality anymore; it’s about keeping up.
Kayla Mantell
Depending on cultures, religion and geographical location, there is a certain uniform we wear. Some are unspoken and some are enforced.
In Orthodox Jewish communities, the uniform for men is typically a white button down, black pants, and sometimes a black hat. You can also find observant women pushing strollers in Sheitals and long skirts. This includes so much more in the middle that follows the laws of Jewish dress while exploring modern style trends. Then we have the secular island of Manhattan. As I got off the subway the other day I was bombarded by a barrage of young women wearing jeans, a black top, and a small leather purse (that could fit maybe a tampon and a piece of gum). This minimalist look seems to have every girl in a chokehold, cracking the code to stylish anonymity. I’d like to challenge this wave that's hitting millions of explore pages and store windows. It appears that the population has caught… style fatigue.
Most people have a favorite color. It helps when shopping in a sea of clothing or picking out an outfit from an overstuffed closet. I apply this philosophy to the Jewish value of Tznius. In fashion, there are no rules– Jewish women make the rules. There is a beautiful balance of choice, freedom, and autonomy over what we wear while adhering to the laws given to us by G-d. I don't view modesty as a limitation, but as a blank canvas. You can cover your skin without compromising style or self-expression. A woman can feel confident in her own skin and therefore choose a less revealing style- what has she got to prove to the world?
Kayla Mantell
Having the proper wardrobe means wearing clothes that make you look good and feel good. It’s about accurately representing your inner self to the external world; So when did fashion become all about the body itself? Isn't the true focus of fashion about what’s covering the body?
The global fashion industry has largely shifted to designs that are more revealing, often catering to the male gaze rather than focusing on breaking boundaries in style choices. Resorting to drawing attention to the women’s body rather than the clothes she chose to dress in- clothes that reflect her self expression and style identity. Throughout history, women’s fashion has often mirrored the social and political climate of the time. From the restrictive corsets of the Victorian era, the rebellious flapper girls of the 1920s, to the utilitarian styles of the 1940s. As the roles of women shifted, so did our wardrobes. But somewhere along the way, the fashion industry’s focus shifted from empowerment to simply- exposure. The Jewish view on modesty protects women from exactly this.
It rejects the notion of what society normalized as the attire of women.
It’s rebellion redefined: Confident, intentional, and uniquely ours.
Fashion is a form of story telling, escapism, and self expression. The journey of modest fashion challenges you to discover what makes you feel confident, beyond displaying your skin. If given a rare one of a kind diamond, you would keep it somewhere safe. You don't leave it out for everyone to see, but you protect it and showcase it intentionally. You put it in a beautiful setting that enhances its brilliance. (The analogy is pretty self explanatory) Modesty is the same. It’s not about hiding who you are, but presenting yourself in a way that reflects your worth, self-respect, and individuality. It puts you in control of how you share your light with the world.
As a religious Jew and fashion addict, I enjoy having fun with my style. In the modern world there is such a negative view on modesty. Misconceptions like dressing conservatively, devoid of color, or simply wearing a garbage bag to god forbid show the shape of one's body. But it is not about hiding under shapeless layers or dressing to dim our light for men’s approval. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than stifling your style, it is about elevating it. The right tailoring, thoughtful layering, and playing with textures and accessories can make any outfit feel alluring yet anchored in modesty.
Showcasing beauty through creativity and sophistication rather than overexposure.
In this age of overconsumption and micro-trends rooted in this generation’s identity crisis, the value of modesty is very grounding. The constant change in niche aesthetics is a cry for help. While fun for our short attention span, these fleeting trends fuel our shopping addictions. From Cottage core, Coastal grandma, to Mob wife… the list goes on and on and on. But this is nothing new. Gen Z grew up on Buzzfeed quizzes having us on the edge of our seats as we waited to find out- am I more of a Serena or Blair? Monica or Rachel? That would determine our personal style for the next month. Or until something new comes around. The fickle evolution of fashion trends proves that genuine style and a strong sense of self is timeless.
“Fashion changes, but style endures.”
– COCO CHANEL
After all the thrift with me and shopping haul vlogs we’ve been spoon fed through the years of Youtube, we now see a shift in content. Influencers are narrowing down their wardrobes with cleanouts and honing in on the “essentials.” Now it's clean out my closet with me and I got rid of everything titled videos. In Judaism, there is an ethical principle to avoid wasting (Bal Tashchis). This philosophy applies to shopping thoughtfully and intentionally. This helps break the cycle of overconsumption, focussing on curating versatile essentials that align with personal style. Dressing modestly creates a wardrobe that reflects individuality while respecting resources. It also forces you to be more intentional with what you purchase.
Kayla Mantell
Shopping modestly in a world of halter tops and mini skirts might sound limiting- but it’s far from that. For a religious woman who prioritizes modesty, every shopping trip becomes an exercise in creativity and intention. It encourages you to craft a wardrobe that feels personal and elevated. It’s not about covering up; it’s about dressing with purpose, letting your style speak for itself, and standing out in a sea of sameness.
“Shop less, choose more.”
– DESIGNER VIVIAN WESTWOOD
The question is: how do you blend faith, fashion, and a little chutzpah in a city obsessed with fast fashion and fleeting trends? It’s about balancing timeless values with personal expression—wearing pieces that honor who you are while refusing to compromise style. Dressing with dignity and creativity allows us to reclaim fashion as a reflection of identity, not a reaction to the whims of the world. You can look sexy without showing skin, beautiful without baring it all. It’s a way to turn heads not by revealing, but by leaving just enough to the imagination, proving style is about presence, not exposure.
