I like to look feminine, cute and stylish, but I don't like to be "hanging out" anywhere. I'm 5'7" and "hippy" as one oh so nice saleslady once put it. I don't wear shorts in public and now that I'm getting a little older I like to keep my knees and upper arms covered. Nobody wants to see cellulite. :) I've found that for my pear-shaped figure, skirts look better than jeans (not that I wear skirts or dresses every day). I DO have a really cute pair of wideleg capri pants (about ankle length), but like a complete idiot I painted in them, so they are now only fit for around the house. I don't like to wear anything tight or low cut. Now you can see why I have a terrible time finding anything to wear. Plus the fact that I'm always losing or gaining a few pounds...
So, in my quest for Christian fashion advice, I have come across some great posts that I know you will find very interesting and informative.
Terry says I'm All for Modesty, But I Hate Uniforms
Elizabeth talks about Modest Mommies
Mrs. Wilt is doing a Month of Modesty
Lady Lydia talks about the Deconstruction of Women's Clothing
Here is what I what I wore today and I think it looks nice. I had to put a tank top under the shirt (why is everything so low cut?).
By the way, I got the skirt on clearance for $2.99!
So, what are your thoughts on modesty?
36 comments:
I have been thinking about this lately too. I try to dress modestly, and I recently decided to not wear shorts outside the house too. I bought some capri's that I plan on wearing this summer, and I'm keeping my eyes out for some cute skirts, because I'd love to start wearing more skirts. I also bought a few tank tops to wear under low cut tops.
BTW, I love your outfit, and you can't beat a $2.99 skirt!
My thoughts are similar to yours: I keep my upper arms and knees covered, and I don't like tight, low-cut, etc.
My church actually talks about modesty a lot. Especially to teenagers.
Modesty is an issue that alot of women just don't understand. I am passionate about modesty and I try my best to be modest and feminine. I am a dresses only women myself. I have been this way since high school. For me it is the best way to keep modest and feminine. Nothing is more feminine than a modest skirt or dress. Also, people who I come in contact with come to realize that I am a chrisian just by the way I dress. I really do have strangers ask me if I'm a christian or where I go to church!
http://unlessthelord.blogspot.com/2007/03/modesty-and-lack-thereof.html
That's a link to a post that I did on my blog last year about this time.
I think that modesty is so important! Many don't realize what they are saying by what they do (or don't) wear.
wow! I love you dress sense. I like to dress modestly - always have, even as a child -my mother struggled to get me to wear shorts and swim suits.
Nowadays I wear skirts or tailored trousers -nothing clingy. No low tops. I am a clumsy rush around type of person- I want to forget what I'm wearing and just get on with stuff not worrying whether I am showing off too much flesh! (I hate it when women inlow tops bend down and you are faced with -well you know what I mean)
As I get older I am wearing brighter clothes - I used to live in black - I must have looked like I was going to one long funeral -lol!
I like to wear make-up - less is more though and I like to wear some jewellry and very pale pink nail varnish.
I worry a lot about how I dress - that it is appropriately Christian & modest.
but then I can (&do) worry for England - lol!!
First of all, love the outfit you have on in the pictures. Second, I'm honored that you linked to post on modesty. I was wondering where all the looks at that post were suddenly coming from!! And then I noticed they were coming from here! Thank you for the compliment. You have a great looking blog and I look forward to reading some more in the future.
I prefer to be modest (except around my hubby *wink*). I find that the older I get, I just don't feel that the revealing look is for me. I think once you hit a certain age, it's time to put away the miniskirts, Daisy Duke shorts and buy bras that fit!
You know what's funny? Men have been polled on the subject of what women look most sexy in and they say it's just a basic pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. Shhh...don't tell the Victoria's Secret customers or they go out of business!
Beautiful, feminine, modest outfit. I love the flip flops!
This is going to sound kinda garbled (LOL!!) But in the old testament when it was speaking of priests going into the temple they were commanded to be covered from nakedness....they defined nakedness as covered thighs!! Now obviously there is more too it than that....but there is a clear cut example of modesty!! Surely if they had to cover their thighs back then we still need to cover ours today??
Very cute shirt!! The layered look is very in!!
Thank you for linking to my modesty post! Honestly, it's been a real journey for me and I'm TOTALLY not there yet.
I have to say, I LOVE your look; and I am a big LONG SKIRT person, too. I don't know why---I feel so whimsical, feminie and Jane Austen-ish in a long skirt.
thanks again! I love your cute blog!
Your outfit is so pretty! And I have to say, I think that skirt was the deal of the day. I'll bet you can pair it with lots of different tops.
Brenda
Wow! Ladies, I am loving reading your thoughts on this subject. I don't know why really, but this is something I have been VERY interested in lately. Maybe because I am in dire need of some additions to my wardrobe.
Terry and Elizabeth, thanks for commenting! I fell like I've been visited by celebrities! :) I love both your blogs!
I also try to dress modestly however I do wear sleeveless dress every once in awhile when I am working in the garden in our Louisiana weather.
I also have to put tanks under everything because it is so low cut. BTW, I have been called hippy also.
I love that skirt and top.
I am 47, live in Ca and I wear tank tops with knee length shorts or skirts. I am a Christian woman and I am not immodest by what I wear. I have seen many posts on this subject and it is almost like women are being condemned if they wear something that doesn't look like something in a Jane Austin flick or a pilgrim.
I know what the Word says about modesty, but I see too many women taking this to the exteme and covering themselves from head to toe.
God created me, my body.Does he want me to cover it up and wear what Afganistan Women wear? There is nothing wrong with my body. I dress nice, period.
But, it is not ALL on the women to be covered, we don't cause men to lust and to have difficulty with seeing shoulders or knee's. It sounds like they need to take this problem up with the Lord and deal with their problem of sin in their lives. We are not causing men to sin, we can't do that, it's their choice. We have a responsibility to dress nice but this guilt thing going on, (man made rules) and putting women like me down for wearing a one piece or even a bikini... this ultra modesty is gettin out of hand.
I am me and it is the Lord in me shining through is what people see! Shouldn't this be what we really strive for instead of rules?
Thank you for linking to my "Month of Modesty" posts! It's been an interesting road for me as I've studied about it and tried to divide Biblical standards from "humble opinions"- not always an easy task. Praying that you will continue to shine as an example of feminine modesty for your girls to see! :o)
PS- Cute outfit...lovin' the skirt/top combo! I totally agree with candicem: the layered look is in! :o)
I just found your site and LOVE it. A tip that I find handy. If you find wearing a tank under a shirt uncomfortable (as I do) but need some coverage try wearing a sports bra over your regular bra, it keeps you comfy and decent.
I have a possible explanation for the minister's reluctance to address this subject. I am married to a minister and he always gets so much flack from the immodest women, that he tends to avoid the subject. If he preaches on the subject he is often accused of looking at women in the wrong way. Or, he will be told that God looks on the heart so we shouldn't care what girls wear to church. Also, today, with dwindling church numbers, preachers are just glad the girls are there, listening to the teachings, so they don't want to "run them off" so to speak. Everyone has gotten so politically correct that if a girl walked down the street with nothing on, or practically nothing, not even the police would dare to do anything about it. No one wants to touch that subject. It is a very hypocritical thing, too. If I dressed the way the young girls dressed, everyone would be shocked and probably say something. But, we dare not say anything to these sensitive young girls who care nothing for our own sensitivities. In my opinion, if girls want to please the LOrd and are really concerned about their spiritual condition and really don't want to offend others, they will find ways to be both modest and beautiful.
Here's a few modesty links that you might appreciate...
http://c4.atomicplaypen.com/sites/BBC/resources/images/71995.pdf
http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/parentfamily/A000000652.cfm
Great links Christina! Thank you!
Hello 50s housewife and fellow readers!
I am a pregnant modest momma! I was amazed at how gaudy and (to put it simply) slutty maternity wear is now. 5 years ago with my first there was still modesty in maternity clothing. I guess the "Hot Momma" got into maternity clothing lines, it seems everything cut low in the bust, doesn't cover a bra strap and comes to somewhere near a hand below my butt!
Maybe it's just the stores in town here, but I am very disapointed. I have purchased some nicer items from Kiki's Maternity from ebay, but then it's hit and miss on if the fabric is see through.
I am afraid that modesty is comming to an end in all avenues of fashion, that's why I have opted to sew my own garments (slips and all!) in my free time. I find myself attracted to the concept of altering old fashioned patterns to include a modern twist, such as a nice boatneck knee leignth emprire dress in a new day fabric with keyhole back!
Wishing you all peace and love.
~chuckles~ Modesty can have many definitions and all can be right, in the right situation. And wrong, in the wrong one. This blog is interesting to me in that I share some sentiments and beliefs in what so far seems a totally different environment from general readership.
I'm a slacks woman. Wear 'em all the time and otherwise very tailored blouses, jackets. This suits my 6ft/165 lb. frame best and I look surprisingly feminine once I put on my heels (yes, I wear HEELS), jewelry and scarves. Put me in a dress and I look like a football player in drag and feel about as comfortable in my skin--believe me I try every year, make wonderful resolves and end up with one or two dresses that never get worn.
I live in NYC and if the other females have paid any attention at all to the men around here, they might be less inclined to wear a skirt (tourists: take note).
Have a short skirt? Don't sit on the subway because there is no way to do it modestly or without flashing the aisle either sitting or standing regardless of what you may think. Even those of us who don't care for a peek and try not to notice, can't help it.
Have a long skirt? Don't walk over street grates or we'll see your best impression of Marilyn. You can never tell when one will Whoosh! (along with the Canyon winds downtown and the traffic wind uptown).
Have on a nice modest knee-ish length? (Or any of the above mentioned; even long skirts are not immune to upward gazing.) Don't walk up the subway stairs (or any open stairway) because the men congregate underneath and watch your underpants walk up. It's almost a male bonding rite of spring.
A lot of women who wear dresses in NYC wear bike shorts underneath--even the powersuits.
I do have to say though, in today's modern market, the emphasis IS to cause man to sin in his thoughts--it is a blatant and obvious goal. You comply with the dictates of the market forces thinking all is innocent to the innocent...well, are you SURE there are no glass walls around you?
One must take responsibility for one's own skin and not point fingers saying "I cannot help his thoughts" while you are wearing Babyphat. I figure the Lord cares more about each individual's intent and emphasis rather than specific body parts. After all, merely an ankle is considered sinful in other places and cultures, and very well may be.
We ARE our brothers' keepers after all. 1 Cor 10-13.
urg. it's friday: 1 Cor 8; 10-13
Martha, thanks for your insight and the scripture reference (I looked it up). I'm really enjoying the different comments on this subject.
I have always loved dresses. I am 55. I was a dresses-only little girl until I was about 11. Then, a male neighbor started having me climb up on his lap and he would put his hand up my dress and, you know. I did not want to cause a fuss (should have, probably, but was too young to know what to do -- the person is long dead). I thought it over and over, and never went over there again without wearing slacks. That solved the problem. It never happened again. To this day, I never really feel safe in a dress. I wear skirts and dresses about 50% of the time, but I am careful where I wear them, especially having also been the victim of violent crime twice, when I was in my 20's. I never wear skirts or dresses if I am traveling someplace I have never been before, or on a road trip, in case I might have to run (seriously). I wear modest jeans, sneakers and a long shirt and jacket or something like that. Dresses can also attract unwanted attention, due to the fact that women rarely wear them anymore. A word to the wise. Sad, huh? It is the world we live in. We have to protect ourselves. I have also lived in cities, like Martha, where men positioned themselves under a staircase to look up women's dresses. I find that petti-pants or cotton granny knee-panties with a matching camisole (both sold in the Penney's catalog) solve the modesty and warmth problem a lot of the time.
Anon, your comment just breaks my heart! No little girl should have to go through something like you did. I'm so glad you have found a solution that works for you. Bless you!
I'm glad Anon seems to have come out a stronger and wiser woman from her experiences. So many women have them (1 in 3 was the last estimate I saw) yet it ruins many of us. I don't reckon "old times" were any safer; we just didn't talk about it and didn't measure it and, in some ways (not a feminist but they did have "some" good points) accepted it as status quo of the world we lived in. Who knows...slacks may have been a socially proactive, protective move not a capitulation of femininity.
Now petti-pants...I HATE bicycle shorts (sausage anyone?)...I've been eye-balling those. Thanks, Anon, I'll give them a try the next time I gear myself up to wear a dress ;-)
er...mick and martha are the same person. I don't know how that happened.
Mickie (aka Martha)
Pettipants are so hard to find! A few years ago I ordered a pair off some site on the Internet. The box never arrived and I found out that UPS had left the box in the lobby of our apartment building and apparently someone stole it.
I laugh and laugh whenever I think of whoever took that box opening it up to find a big ol' pair of ladies' bloomers.
Modesty is so much more than clothing. As an example, and this is the truth, I know two young ladies (early 20's) both of whom have extremely toned and attractive bodies. They both dress in up-to-date, sometimes form-fitting outfits. But one girl carries herself with such dignity and humility, that you are attracted to her heart, rather than her body. The other flaunts her body, dresses in tight things to show off, and her attitude is "all about me". I think Girl #1 IS modest and Girl #2 is not.
And a word to the moms out there...I think that BOYS going around in below-the-equator pants with their underwear sticking out, those huge shirts, pants too long, shoes too big and not tied, and "attitude" are much more immodest than some of the young ladies I see.
It would help if manufacturers would realize the difference between an acceptable shirt/top, and lingerie!!
I feel the same way about Modesty. I'm 25 and hate the clothing that is out there for my age group. I mostly wear dress slack and a nice blows or a nice skirt or dress to things like church or events...however, since I work in a plant nursery those kinds of outfits are out of the question. So I mostly wear jeans and T-shirts...but I wear larger T-Shirts that fit and have some looseness to them that wont come up when I bend over or move around. I also have been blessed and cursed with a large chest (it really sucks most of the time) and so I pay really close attention to wearing high shirts or blouses that show little to no cleavage...and most of the time my husband says that I look the nicest when I'm wearing an old pair of jean and a T-Shirt with my hair pulled back in a pony-tail. And most men that I know hate it when a woman wears make-up. Personally I wear a little mineral powder to take away the shine...and chap stick to make my lips kissable and soft for my dear husband.
I love your blog and I'm so excited to read more and get into it so much more.
Keep up the good work!!!!
Christy
I happened upon your blog and love it! I'm always looking for advice on housekeeping and parenting. About dressing modestly, I too dress modestly. I'm deeply religious and always dress modestly (long sleeves, long skirts) when I leave my house. I'm not Christian, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear other women talk about modesty. I suppose you could say that modesty transcends any one religion.
Christy and anonymous, thank you both for stopping by! I love to hear other ladies' thoughts on this subject.
OH man!This is like a personal struggle for me right now. I am 23 years old and just this last year have ended my wavering walk with Christ and stay on the path. I feel like when I try to get the right clothes I'm still getting the wrong ones. I want to be cute and stylish as well, but not 'frumpy'. I don't feel like there are a lot of options out there for the modern modest woman. - Or maybe I just don't know where to look..
My wardrobe consists of several medium to long denim skirts of varied embellishments. A few denim skorts & shorts. Two pairs of jeans. Several pairs of dressy pants with accompanying tanks and shells. And a variety of different tops to wear with all my denim. (It's a rebellion from my corporate dress code days where denim of any sort was outlawed.) --- I still struggle with modesty when it comes to tops. While I don't let it all hang out, I struggle to keep it all in sometimes. I do what I can when it matters, but I don't become all consumed with it either.
Having two little girls, I am shocked at the trashy, slutty clothes being sold to their age groups. Fortunately, we have found real girl clothes available at places like Gymboree and Osh Kosh (outlets, I don't pay full price for much). And I have been very pleasantly surprised at the modest taste of my girls. Still having trouble finding something to go under the dresses which they love to wear.
Have you seen these?
http://thewinkee.com/index.html
Concerning Anonymous's childhood experience with the male neighbor...
I often dressed my daughters in skirts when they were little, and my elder daughter had a similar experience with a neighbor, but she didn't tell me until she was much older.
To this day I feel that I am somewhat to blame for what happened to her, and to this day she is reluctant to dress her daughters in skirts, unless they are wearing shorts underneath.
Let's face it, ladies, the real reason we wear skirts is to look pretty and feminine, and the reason we like to look pretty and feminine is because men like it.
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