I WENT to Turkey for a vacation recently and was in Istanbul, the nation’s famous city and former capital. I didn’t have much time there, but I did manage to spend some time loitering about Taksim Square, a shopping and leisure district that was filled with interesting people.

Said to be the heart of Istanbul’s European side (Istanbul is divided into the Europe and Asian sides by the Bosphorus strait), Taksim Square on weekends is crowded with youths hanging around outside the many restaurants, shopping or just sitting at the fountain chatting in the cool weather.

Fashion in this modern city can be best described as eclectic – some women mill around in the latest trends, while others choose a more conservative style of dressing.

Clad in long skirts, tight-fitting but not-too-revealing tops and headscarves wrapped in different styles, many Turkish girls opt for the conservative look, but still appear stylish at the same time.

It just goes to show that with carefully applied makeup (these girls know how to work their eyeshadow and liner), matching colours and the right accessories, anyone can look sexy and elegant, even when fully covered up.

They reminded me that you don’t always have to show a lot of skin to get the right kind of attention, and have inspired me to write about their moderate style.

Here are some tips on how to work the conservative look, and still appear glamorous.

Cover ‘em legs

For extra coverage and to add a bit of class to a short dress – although, short could mean just slightly above the knee for conservative functions is advised – go with plain leggings or high-denier pantyhose. (Denier is the unit with which the fineness of cloth material is measured.)

Leggings enhance the shape of your legs and add an air of mystery to the look. Slight patterns are acceptable, and avoid fishnets for formal functions.

Oh, and always remember to wear closed-toe shoes with leggings to avoid the “web toe” look.

Sheer sleeves

Think long and lacey, chiffon or net-like sleeves for blouses. They’re in all the stores at the moment. For formal occasions, dresses or blouses with necklines that cover you right up to the upper chest with sheer sleeves look great.

For less formal occasions, pair a full-lace long-sleeved, high-neck blouse with a high-waisted, knee-length skirt to achieve a good balance between sexy and elegant.

Go with the flow

Loose, flowy dresses are a good choice for any occasion. Think bell-shaped sleeves fitted at the wrist or ones that are unhemmed, both finishings work well on moderately short dresses.

Be careful about picking out a loose dress for functions, presentations and meetings. With flowy sleeves, the waistline should be clearly defined. If everything about your dress is loose, you might end up looking a little too frumpy.

Also, choose dresses and tops in colours like deep purple, black, olive green and brown; go for lighter and brighter hues for casual outings.

If the skirt of your dress is long and flowy, make sure the top part if form-fitting.

Take it like a man

Almost everyone can work the pantsuit look. Pants are not just for men, and with the right cut and style, you can look just as beautiful in pants as you would in dresses or skirts.

With wide-leg pants, always wear high heels to show off your feet, and choose a straight cut with a crease running down the front of the leg to give the illusion of looking taller.

If you’re petite, choose a cropped jacket to match your pants, and make sure it is cut well so that it flatters your figure.