Lancaster no midriff rule

The Lancaster no midriff rule is a family principle articulated by Hazel Grace Lancaster's mother, establishing a standard of modesty for the Lancaster women. Hazel recalls this rule while preparing for a romantic dinner with Augustus Waters at Oranjee in Amsterdam, noting that her mother had a motto on the subject: "Lancasters don't bare midriffs." Hazel agrees with this sentiment, and it informs her choice of attire for the evening, a blue print sundress that offers a view of her rib cage and collarbone but does not expose her midriff. The rule underscores the family's conservative values and Hazel's own modest self-presentation, even as she navigates the complexities of a romantic relationship with a boy she loves.