Threading the Needle: Online Modest Apparel Forums and Physical Activity for Women with Religious-Based Modesty Preferences

Religious-based modesty requirements can complicate women’s attempts to engage in physical activity. The growing interest in online discussion forums focusing on modest dress showcases an emerging demand for athletic apparel that meets the modesty requirements of women from Muslim, Orthodox Jewish, LDS/Mormon and Evangelical Christian backgrounds. A thematic analysis was conducted on the forum posts. Findings include the use of apparel for women seeking help with physical activity without violating their modesty standards; using modest apparel as a tool for maintaining an identity as a person of faith, and health-seeking behavior as a legitimate way to question religious protocol.