The Return of Modesty Culture and Convention—And How to Escape It

With society witnessing the rise of conservatism, there is a bigger push to withhold traditional structures. Unconventional ways of living or dressing are beginning to face judgment from society and their peers. 

Conservatism has become a new-found trend amongst Gen Z, despite earlier speculation that it’s supposedly one of the most progressive generations.

According to an article from The Hilltop, conservative media has become prevalent amongst its platforms, with misogynistic content advertised to men and “trad-wife” content advertised towards women. Often referred to as “red-pill” content, this trend has created a growing culture amongst the younger generations.

The surge in red-pill content promotes convention, which increases the judgement and shame placed upon those who do not align within those ideals. Ultimately, this creates more pressure for young people to fall within these standards. This includes modest dressing, especially for women, and conventional fashion. 

Here are a few ways that you can distance yourself from modesty culture:

1. Find your own self expression. Discovering what you like and how that represents you as a person can separate you from modesty culture. Staying true to who you are will help you stand out in the face of any micro-trend.

2. Be confident in who you are and the way you express yourself. Being confident is easier said than done, but having confidence is the key to escaping any micro-trend. Don’t feel pressure to conform — it’s just not worth it.
3. Consume less media, specifically content surrounding modesty culture and standards. Again, this is easier said than done. Sometimes what’s on our TikTok “For You” cannot be controlled. What you can control, however, is your interaction with the content. How much time are you spending on social media? How is it affecting your daily life?

Modesty itself is not inherently bad — everyone should feel comfortable to express themselves in the ways they choose. Where we go wrong, though, is in forcing the masses to dress or act a certain way in order to adhere to tradition. Take a break from the conventional — it’s nothing short of liberating.