Modest Hollywood

I'm a bit behind, I know. I blame Vegas. Here's a rundown of some of the latest and greatest ladies of Hollywood dressing in some of the most modest ensembles. Disclaimer: most of these are slightly less than the frummie modesty we all know and love (ie: plunging V's, shorter hems), but let's give these ladies credit-- it's an immodest world out there, and we're just trying to live in it!

While blacks and neutral certainly take the cake this week, there are a few ladies who don't shy away from color (Giulliana, Shailene, Julianne). This week's OAKie goes to Charlize Theron for having the most effortlessly chic, beautiful outfit!

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Giulliana Rancic

That's the sweetest little dress. I want it for work. Now.

Shailene Woodley

This is like every frummie at a wedding. Like, every single one. It's a fact.

Kim Kardashian

She is stunning, no doubt. She looks so much better with more clothes on her, though. True story.

Nina Doborev

Psshh. That top is not exactly for the frummie contingent, but the dress has its virtues. Love it.

Emmy Rossum and Krysten Ritter

Pretty ladies who almost make the cut. Emmy's dress is a tad short and Krysten sleeves are a bit sheer. But together they make a modest pair in Hollywood, no?

Pippa Middleton

She sorta looks like a nun. Sorta.

Charlize Theron

Ethereal! I want this dress! 

Julianne Moore

Finally! Yes, the blazer eats her alive, but at least she's starting to dress like a human and not a mannequin!

Meryl Streep

Shul chic? It's a bit frumpy on her (that shirt should be a bit shorter), but she still makes this work. 

Olivia Wilde

Woah mama, that's modest. Classy lady. 

Amber Heard

Just your typical frummie look. You aced it, Amber!

Katie Holmes

Yes, it's sheer, but it's more modest than some other outfits out there, so I won't complain. Plus, she looks stellar.

Kate Middleton

I like to think I dress like her. I also like to think I'm a dolphin trainer, so I guess I should stop thinking.

Helen Mirren 

Yikes.

Kourtney Kardashian

I'm trying to make sense of this combo, but I won't knock her for it, because she's adorable.

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Copper Item of the Day

Oh, Oakies! I have missed you so! I never realized just how much I loved doing this until I couldn't!
Well, I'm back now, and in honor of my return, I bring you a very on-sale skirt from Mango. The light, coppery color is perfect for winter and/or summer, and it shines in a way that is subtle and understated. And, of course, being that it's knee length, it's drool-worthy. The light, flowy material is perfect with structured tops, or unstructured alike-- great for work or play!

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Flared skirt

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What Is Modesty? Not This.

Hey Oakies. Here I am, blogging to you from Las Vegas, quite possibly the least modest place on the face of the planet. Everything here is legal that shouldn't be, and while yes, it's fun, it's not exactly kosher. And yet, I find the craziness and immodesty of Vegas to be nothing compared to that of what is going on in Beit Shemesh, Israel.

Naama Margolese is an 8 year-old girl who is what we would classify as "Modern Othrodox" (not much unlike myself). She wears only skirts, covers the elbows, and comes from a frum household. And yet she is accosted daily, spat at, and hurled words of insult by Ultra-Orthodox extremeisits who deem her immodest. Again, she is  EIGHT. Shame on these men who call themselves Jews, and claim to live a modest lifestyle. There is nothing modest or tzanua about this at all. . Since when is it ok for a Jew to act this way? I am ashamed. I guess you can say Vegas seems tame by comparison.

Click below to see the video.

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Naama Margolese, Israeli Girl, Bullied By Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Extremists

LRD Item of the Day

What's an LRD, you ask? A little red dress, of course! As many a friend has pointed out to me, every girl should have a little red dress in their closet. Now, I understand red is a touchy color for many frummies on account of the whole color thing, but  if you open your mind and your color spectrum for just a moment, I think you will be surprised by the versatility and non-pritzus-ness of this dress.

The detailing on this dress is classy, subtle, and complete-- the back of the dress is just as gorgeous as the front. The material is light and easy, which will make for a comfortable and sophisticated outfit. Take a look at the model below-- this is a total do!

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Mighty Good Fan Dress

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Ballet Flat Item of the Day

Frummies rejoice! It's the ultimate ballet flat. It's got pizzazz, it's got class, and it's got a bit a hefty price tag. Fear now however, because if you wear flats on a daily basis, then you are sure to get your money's worth out of these. Wear them for fancy occasions, or dress them down, these shoes can do no wrong.

You all know that I am a huge advocate of the heel (the higher the better), but you can't deny our kind's ways--and let's face it; you just can't say no to these. Especially on Chanukah! Uh, hello shiny. These come in black (perfection), red (there's no place like home), and gold (stellar). Go splurge on yourself this Chanukah and buy these flats!

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Glitterati ballet flats

 

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Plaid Item of the Day

Dear OAKies, I have a new obsession, and it may surprise you. It's LAND'S END! Did you know there stuff was so awesome? Why did I not know that there stuff is so awesome?!

This is one of the many items that will be featured as an item of the day from Land's End, as I am now officially a fan. This plaid skirt is super cute in a non-Catholic-school-uniform kind of way. The print is large enough to suit women of all sizes, and the color is optimistically bright and peppy for a plaid winter skirt (blue and white--so Jew!). Plus, that faux wrap is a nice little touch! Me likes.

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Women's Plaid Wrap Skirt

 

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Festival of Lights Item of the Day

Happy almost Chanukah, OAKies! Today's item comes to you from a very on sale ASOS (50% off sale, to be exact), and the golden hues are sure to light up your life like a Chanukah menorah! This full skirt is perfect for a fancy winter occasion, or just a regular old Shabbat. I personally purchased this item myself, although since it's in the mail, I cannot yet tell you how it fits-- but I'm pretty excited about it! Don't forget to light your menorah tonight! HAPPY CHANUKAH/HANUKKAH.

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ASOS Full Skirt in Gold Stripe

 

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Casual Item of the Day

This sweater dress is the perfect ensemble to have as we segue into the winter months, and it's casual enough for the weekend, but chic enough for the office. Considering that I bought it today during my lunch hour, I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of this dress. I know it seems shorter on the model, but behold, we short Jewesses will have no problem making it work. It's extremely forgiving and is much longer than that picture shows. The rust color is not quite the holiday red that will be passe as soon as we flip the page on the calendar to January, but it functions as a great neutral for other items you want to accessorize with. P.S. drawstring. Need I say more?

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Merino Dolman Sleeve Dress

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What's In A (Role) Model?

For those of you who are not familiar with this blog, I write about an industry that revolves around appearances; things like looks, clothing, material goods, trends, and of course, the people who model them. Be it through celebrities, Hollywood starlets, models or celebutantes, the fashion industry is inundated with "who wore what better", "what is being modeled as the newest trend", and "where to buy the newest, flashiest version of what the celebrities will be wearing tomorrow".

Now, don't get me wrong-- I am a girly-girl fashionista from New York, and I am a lover of all things fashion. Hence the blog. But as a frum, religious, modest, observant Jew, I am also aware that the worldly possessions of this industry are merely a means to an end (and possibly a husband?), and I understand that I will not be buried with my Kate Spade bag.

Again, for those of you who are not familiar, I am a huge fan of Mayim Bialik (right), an american actress known for her starring TV roles on Blossom and The Big Bang Theory. This evening, I went to hear her speak at a local synagogue about her path to observant Judaism and I was simply amazed by what I heard. I am familiar with Mayim both as an actress, and as a Jew with a love for her faith and for doing mitzvot. In all honesty though, I went tonight expecting to hear a celebrity who happened to be a Jew; in actuality I went to hear a Jew, who happened to be a celebrity.

When we speak about models in this day and age, names like Gisele, Heidi and Tyra no doubt come to mind; a name like Mayim is certainly not at the forefront of the "model world"... but it should be. The models we have all come to know and love are now household names that rank higher than most elected officials. Seriously, ask most people today who Dilma Rousseff is, and you are sure to get a blank stare (Brazil's first female president, by the way), but ask someone who Giselle Bundchen is, and they will give you her bra size.

The models we know today are famous for their beauty, their brand, and their bankability. However, the models we need today are the ones who aren't forced down a runway in clothes that they are told to sell, or model in advertisements that define a brand. Rather, they are the ones who play roles in our communities and our lives, models whose 'brands' are their commitments to their convictions. When the clothes you wear define not what you are trying to advertise, but what you are trying to emulate as a person, that's a model. A role model.

Mayim has had a truly fantastic journey, and to hear her speak was a privilege and I recommend you all go listen should you get the opportunity. I don't mean to put her on a pedestal, and I hope she doesn't think I am some weirdo obsessed blogger-stalker. It's just that there are so few people that we Jewish girls can relate to, and so my kinship to someone like Mayim is not an obsession, rather the connection of one Jewish sister to another. Hearing Mayim speak about her evolution and journey in this beautiful faith of ours was awe-inspiring and eye-opening. Yes, it's totally freaking awesome that she works in such a privileged industry with such amazing perks (she has a stylist!); but as a religious girl who grew up knowing nothing other than this life, I am simply amazed by her strength, her struggles, and her unconditional conviction and faith, ESPECIALLY in her industry. Hello role model.

P.S. She hugged me. That was awesome!

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Lacy Item of the Day

This stellar dress from Mango is so beautiful and timeless! It looks like it was made a the frum contingent, that's for sure, and it's purely effortless chic. The lacy detail is subtle and classy, and the black and white theme is a sure fire way to look fashionable and on trend. I simply love, love, love this dress!

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Lace Details Dress

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Something To Kvell About

While this is not something I normally post about seeing as it has no baring on fashion whatsoever, it is something nice you can bring home to your ballabusta Jewish mother for Chanukah! Click the link below for the Nice Jewish Guys Calendar for 2012! It's proof those boys out there do exist.

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Nice Jewish Guys 2012 Calendar

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