So what makes the ‘modest’ clothing list??

[MissChief001]

Was browsing the M&S app and came across an option for Modest Clothing in the Women’s drop down list. So are they saying all clothing items outside of this is deemed not modest? And who decides what is modest? If I cover myself with a duvet do I become ‘extra modest’??

Some of you people need to get a grip. How the hell can anyone be upset about the word modest? Seriously, if this is your biggest injustice in life then I envy you.

Other people describing their clothing as modest doesn't mean anything about you.

If you think people are being racist, have the balls to come out and say it.

Pp said 'unpleasant undertones' and you immediately think she's calling you racist. Why?

@echt
Mine actually pretty much does. I’m a MH nurse who comes into contact with men that have a history of inappropriate behaviour towards women on pretty much a daily basis, so I can’t wear anything that might give them “wrong ideas” in any shape or form. That means no cleavage, covered shoulders and hemlines knee length or lower or fairly loose trousers (my dress code actually suggests cargo pants). No slogans or pictures in case they’re misinterpreted. Sometimes “modesty” keeps you safe.

Another example of 'you can please some of the people all of the time, or all of the people some of the time. You can't please all of the people, all of the time.'
I think it seems pretty obvious what the 'Modest' section is for without getting your full-coverage knickers in a twist!

I agree.

The professionally offended are out in numbers today.

@borntobequiet but presumably you can wear dresses and have bare arms? You can wear a top that doesn't cover all of the chest? ( and I mean chest not cleavage). When I worked I wore sensible clothes as I often dealt with men who were sex offenders, but I still wore short sleeves and scoop neck tops. Out of work I wore different clothes, they wouldn't come under the modest category.

I used to work in a school which had, in its dress code, the line that students could wear a small amount of make up, “modestly applied”. I thought that was a pretty reasonable ask and well-expressed.

I agree that the term 'modest' is very loaded - it does imply that other clothes are immodest so what does that make the wearers- garish? attention seeking? In Iran of course it means that they can be arrested/assaulted or even murdered by the police.

I don't think there is anything thing positive about modest dressing, it takes choice away from women by shaming them if they don't cover themselves.

I think another term should be used - perhaps 'conservative' dressing as are neutral term.

I wouldn’t have bare upper arms (or shoulders) in school, no. I prefer longer sleeves for the aesthetics, but short are OK. And I’d wear a round, boat lightly scooped or crew necked top, and button up a blouse to a reasonable level.
There are degrees of “modesty” suitable for any situation.
I think that if I were working with sex offenders I’d cover up more, for their comfort as much as my own.

I personally love the modest sections as I've always dressed fairly covered up. Not particularly for religious reasons, but I'm not a fan of showing a lot of skin and never have been, even when I had the figure for it. That isn't a sleight against anyone else. People are free to wear whatever they like and nobody should shame them for it. However, I am equally free not to like a particular look (boobs, bum, arms out etc) and no amount of brow beating or shaming from supposed feminists will change my mind I'm afraid. But I would keep my views to myself because what other people wear is not my business.

There is one on ASOS as well btw, which has younger options.

People who dress covered up for religious reasons say it is for "modesty", so it makes sense to use that word. It would obviously be offensive if there was an "immodest" or something worse. But being offended at the modest section is not something I can really understand.

I really think conservative is more loaded mad negative. Can imagine the conservatives section at Next? Not very appealing.

I'm someone with small boobs who often goes bra less, I'm as far from modest as it gets - but I don't get the flip anyone can feel attacked by someone wanting to describe their own fashion as modest.

It's the commonly used term as someone mentioned earlier. Rarely do you ever hear 'immodest' clothing referred to so... why would anyone even think that thy at is implied??

Its just a collection of clothing put together - just like the holiday/ workwear/ occasion/ wedding guest collections on any website.
Personally, I often like to look in the modest collection as due to sun sensitivity/ allergy I need to cover up and its a lot more efficient that trawling through just 'tops' and sometimes they are styled in ways I hadn't thought of

It means for example that if it is a top it covers the arms, neckline and is loose fitting.

Trying to condense anything into 1 or 2 words is a generalisation and I think this is a clear and neutral replacement for 'modest', especially if it becomes the gernally acknowledged and accepted term so most people understad what it stands for

This is in the modest section - obviously it is the shirt they are selling. These are only suggestions and yes it is the way items are styled. I lived in the Arab world for years and while Muslim women may appear modest on the outside to strangers, underneath is a VERY different story! We are a multi faith country and I have no objection to M and S ( a company started by a Jewish immigrant) selling "modest" clothing to Muslim, Jewish, Brethren etc . I don't understand why they need to have this section as most women who dress in a certain way because of religion are perfectly well informed about their dress. I don't take it as offensive about other clothing either. I think it is a very obvious and weak attempt at being woke.