Modest Fashion Inspired by Prada FW 2023

Written By Iska Suleiman

Wondering how to dress modest yet fashionably this fall? This year’s fall collections were brimming with modest-friendly outfits, and I have put together the best finds to help you channel your inner modest fashionista. I have already covered: Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, as well as Bottega Veneta. Here is a break down of the Prada fall collection and how you can find modest more accessible alternatives.

Taking care

The Prada FW 2023 collection was inspired by the theme 'in conversation with a flower.' Exploring the symbolic significance of flowers as beautiful treasures of nature that need tending, protection, and nurturing, the collection invoked a captivating dialogue about beauty and what it means to ‘take care’ - through the language of fashion. Consequently, the practical interpretation of this collection emerges as ‘take care.’ In a press release for the show, Prada explained the collection:

‘Reconceptualizes, reconsiders, and ultimately rediscovers ideas of beauty. Beauty here is determined not by aesthetics, but by action - garments are signs, representations of the beauty of care, of love, of reality itself.’

Acts of care such as love and protection, and their representation through fashion were central to the collection. As was reimagining and repurposing these sartorial depictions of care into our everyday; not to diminish their significance but to amplify it and give it new meaning. Prada notes added:

‘Through a redress of purpose, significance is afforded to clothing. What started as a garment for one occasion can be translated to something else, and this exchange gives new importance to both.’

Wedding dresses for example, became ‘symbols of love, become everyday attire, as a new form of quotidian dress,’ because why should this sartorial representation of love be confined to a single day in someone’s life? Similarly, nurses’ uniforms, which are another symbol of care, were reimagined as glamorous long-line dresses, complete with a small dress train.

Speaking to Vogue, Prada said she wanted to focus on ‘modest people’, the everyday man. This raises important questions about the ethics of luxury brands ‘taking inspiration’ from working-class fashion. We know cultural appropriation exists on an ethnic level, but less talked about is class appropriation. It could even be argued that class appropriation is more insidious than other forms of appropriation because it is so exclusionary. For instance, African American women may feel Marc Jacobs mini knots (gentrified bantu knots) are cultural appropriation, but they can still wear bantu knots. However, designer fashion prices people out from being able to access certain clothing. This is best exemplified by the popularity of thrifting by middle class people, such that the original customer base of charity shops have been largely priced out. Worse still, the big fashion brands often sets the standard for style, which mean a working class persons dress can be deemed a cheap imitation, even though they were sporting this style long before it graced the covers of vogue.

Setting aside these theme paradoxes, the collection showcased both elegant, structured pieces and playful whimsical garments. It also featured a good assortment of modest fashion options for everyday wear.

The collection

The show opened with white skirts with floral embroidery and appliqué, paired with crew neck jumpers. The skirts were intentionally designed to evoke imagery of wedding dresses.

Interestingly, the collection was heavily influenced by the military aesthetic – a uniform of protection. This was seen in the use of army green, epaulettes, and bows on shirts and dresses. Army-inspired green shirts with bows and epaulettes were paired with simple black trousers, transforming the military aesthetic into everyday wear. Parkas were given an elegant watteau back fit for evening wear or were puffed into cocoons using couture techniques, and caban jacket -also with epaulettes, were renewed and elevated in proportions with an oversized cape and sleek geometric lines. Traditional army jumpers, now in pastel green and pink, were transformed into an everyday look suitable for work. Most of these garments were refreshingly modest in style and could be easily adopted as workwear for the modern modest fashionista.

Extending the theme of 'taking care,' the collection also emphasized protection, safeguarding, and warmth. This was echoed through various cocoon-like garments, reminiscent of duvets or bubble wrap, offering a sense of security and comfort. Many of these pieces were repurposed from the previous season's men's collection. Similarly, there were several garments made from leather and suede, fabrics typically thought of as protective.

In this collection, Prada takes garments that represent different aspects of care, and through sartorial re-crafting and repurposing, endows them with new importance. This is, in theory, a beautiful idea. But it can also be interpreted in a different – more cynical – way, that questions the ethics of appropriating working class aesthetics for profit. Given that, there is a growing awareness and dislike against wealthy people who cosplay as working class; how long will fashion brands be able to mine working-class aesthetics? Another peculiarity at the heart of this collection was also the fact Prada considered the military to be a uniform of care – (protection as an aspect of caring). What does it mean to invite the wealthier in society to don garments that express military might? Suddenly the idea of my boss coming into work in pseudo-army gear is more dystopian than it is a conversation with a flower. Or is it just me?

Prada inspired modest style

One interesting outcome of the army-inspired look that dominated this collection was that it featured many modest-friendly outfits because modesty, much like power, is very quiet and understated. To capture this style, go for garments that are military-inspired, tops with epaulettes, bows, or in army green, made daytime-ready by pairing with neutral black trousers. Shirt dresses, which are every modest girl’s best friend, and skirts paired with simple crew neck jumpers. I’ve put together some of my favourite looks inspired by this collection to help you get started.

Iska Suleiman
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Modest Fashion Inspired by Bottega Veneta FW 2023