Thursday, June 19, 2008

Open Discussion: Modesty

I have a few open discussion questions for you today, readers! I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

Where do you find modest clothing in your area?

Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?

Do you think it's harder to find modest clothing in the summer?

How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?

What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?

We'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment (or two!) below. After a day or so, I'll chime in with my answers to these questions. I love open discussions, it's always an encouragement to everyone involved. :)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Where do you find modest clothing in your area?"
Thrift store! I also sew a lot of my clothes. I don't buy any clothes new though, so I don't know where I would look for that.

"Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?"
Yes! You have to define "fashionable" though. I try to wear bright colors as I tend towards drab. Feminine is important. Everyone’s styles and likes are unique. I just take what I like and transform it. Higher necklines, longer hems, looser in particular places.

“Do you think it's harder to find modest clothing in the summer?”
No. If being cool and modest at the same time is the problem, I think summer dresses are a whole lot more comfortable in heat than shorts and a tank.

“How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?”
The fabric is key. A light blue long flowing skirt will be cooler than a knit black knee-length skirt. When trying to keep cool, shy away from heavier fabrics, dark colors, and tight fitting garments. Light, loose, and cotton is good way to go.

"What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?"
To protect yourself, and to protect other young men. Who owns your body? Do you? Does God? Why would you allow anybody with eyes to see whatever they want? Basically, how you dress sends a message. If you dress modestly, it says you are valuable. If you dress immodestly, it says that all you have to offer is a body. What do you want to say?

Bethany T.

Anonymous said...

Hi, my name is Hannah and a friend told me about your blog.

Where do you find modest clothing in your area?
Pretty much every where,although there are some clothing stores where it is harder to find modest clothing than others.

Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?
I don't think there is a way to be modest and also "fashionable".

Do you think it's harder to find modest clothing in the summer?
Yes.

How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?
During the summer I mostly wear linen skirts and light, short-sleeve shirts, and that helps somewhat.

What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?
I belive God has called me to be more "different" than most other girls, and dressing modestly is one way I am different.
Thank you for having this blog.
In Christ alone,
Hannah Grace Estes

Anonymous said...

"Where do you find modest clothing in your area?"





Sometimes I find really nice clothing from different places online. If you go to http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/ you can click on Planning Ideas under For Your Wedding. If you scroll down far enough there will be a huge list of links to modest clothing.



Also some people will give us some hand-me down clothes. And I love to sew so I can make clothes for myself.





"Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?"






Yes. I must say that I am a not someone who likes to follow the conforms of fashion much to my older sister grief :) Nevertheless it isn't good to go around looking like you just rolled out of bed. You can find patterns that look fashionable (I prefer the word pretty) and there are plenty of online stores that sell pretty clothes.







"Do you think it's harder to find modest clothing in the summer?"




Yes and no. In most major stores it can be very hard to find modest clothing. Also in stores that are devoted to modesty, even in summertime modest clothes can be found.





"How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?"




Well I don't wear pants except when I ride my bike or go skiing so I guess I don't really have to worry about those. I usually find that I can where almost any kind of skirt as long as I have a cool shirt on.





"What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?"







All my reasons for wearing modest clothing are summed up in a article that can be found http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/bibleguidelines.htm or google "Bruce Lackey clothing" and you should find it.





Lulu

Linda Marie said...

Hi Flibby! Interesting questions! And how fun with a bit of discussion!

1. A little here and there. Sometimes in the local shops, sometimes mail order, second hand, or by making my own clothes. Sometimes it can be quite easy to find nice modest clothes, other times it is not. You can even find modest clothes on H&M sometimes… :-)
2. Yes, to some degree. Not completely of course, as “big” fashion seldom is modest, but you could choose the colours currently in fashion, and a bit of how the clothes are cut as well (low waist or high waist, ¾ sleeves or not…). But what do I know? Fashion and I don't usually go hand in hand.
3. There’s usually easier to find dresses in the summer if you are a dress person, and though you may have to look a bit to find something that is not too short or too low neck line, but it is usually possible. But it comes down a bit to what you see as modest or immodest. I’m fine with having short sleeves for example, but if you want long sleeves only, I imagine it to be harder to find cool tops or dresses.
4. It depends a lot on the material, much more than the looks of the clothes. Some types of cotton is wonderful in the way that it’s cool in the summer and still quite warm in the winter. Linen material can also be nice, but is a bit expensive, so I haven’t used it much.
5. This will be a bit difficult to explain in a comment, but I don’t wish to tempt anyone by exposing too much, and draw attention to certain parts of my body. I also don’t want people to even think I would “come easy” or something like that, but I want to be a light, and a positive example for others.

Sorry if it got a little bit long, or if it is hard to understand. I’ve been sitting by the computer a bit too long and my English feels a little rusty right now…

All the best!

Maiden Of Virtue said...

Where do you find modest clothing in your area?

Yard sales and the thrift store for me! I have on occasion found modest clothes (a couple of long, denim skirts) in department stores, but most of my clothes are from the thrift store or yard sales. Like Bethany, I also make some of my clothes (and hope to make most of them by the end of the year).

Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?

I think so. I go with jewelry or cute shoes and purses to accesorize. I also put shirts over shirts sometimes, which gives you multiple outfits from just a few pieces.

Do you think it's harder to find modest clothing in the summer?

It can and can't be. If you are trying to find a modest swimsuit, it is going to be harder in the summer. But if you are trying to stay cooler in the summer, I find that I am always cooler in dress or skirt than I am in slacks or shorts. I particularly like linen myself. I also suggest getting a cotton slip, as it will not stick to you like regular ones do.

How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?

Again, linen and light colors are important. I definitely agree with the others on that one. Personally, I don't like tank tops either. I think they reveal too much. A pretty t-shirt can be nice too, if it is not cut badly.

What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?

I feel like God calls us to be modest in the Bible. We as Christians, are going to be God's bride. In the Bible, His bride is called to be chaste and pure. We are also told to be set apart from the world, and also, "to set the example for the believers in speech, in faith, and in purity". Modesty is more than the clothes we wear. It is also a condition of the heart.

~*~Courtney~*~

Anonymous said...

What great answers everyone! Just thought I'd chime in with my thoughts.

First of all, I find most of my clothes at garage sales. I occasionally visit the thrift store, but it's not as necessary if you frequent the yard sales like my family does! My sister and I share clothes too, which is helpful. My mother shares shoes with both my sister and I. I've found wonderful modest clothing in department stores sometimes, but the expense can be so outrageous, so it's not worth it.

Secondly, I think it is possible to be fashionable and still modest. It depends on how you define fashion. Sure, a lot of ninnys wear skimpy clothes, but that's not fashionable. The fashion really depends on colors and styles. Like, right now, really long dresses (to the ankle) with empire waists are in. Now, some of them have strappy tops, but I still think it's a step in the right direction. I really love to wear things that are classic. An a-line khaki skirt will never go out of style. Neither will a suit jacket or sandals. My favorite style is actually coming back right now. I love wearing 50's style dresses with full skirts. I've found tons of these at Target. They're great. I also love shoes. You can't really go wrong with shoes as far as modesty though, so that's not particularly relevant here. ;)

Thirdly, I do think it's harder to find modest clothes in the summer. In the summer, everyone lets go and thinks it's okay to wear your bikini to Wal-Mart. Yikes! It's hot out, so shorts get shorter and fabric gets thinner. Swimsuits are awful. I usually get my grandmother to make me swimsuits using the pattern from www.biblicalwomanhoodinline.com, it's wonderful!

Fourth, I keep cool by wearing light colors and fabrics, just like most of you said. I wear t-shirts and try to find things that aren't see-through so I don't have to layer. I don't wear tank tops, but I don't have a problem with sleeveless shirts like this. As long as they're covering.

Lastly, dressing modestly, if nothing else, shows character. It shows that you are of worth, and that you care about saving yourself for your future husband. It's classy, and you'll notice that you are treated more like a lady, especially when you wear skirts. You don't want to cause a brother in Christ to stumble. I think Courtney hit the nail on the head with this one, the church is the bride of Christ and as a Christian you are a representative of Christ.

Sorry to say such a mouthful! This is such a great discussion. Feel free to chime in with any questions you may have, or something you might want to comment on or discuss further. Open discussions are ALWAYS open.

Love in Christ,
Flibby

Allison said...

Modest clothing in my area comes from either the thrift store, Kohls, or JCPennys (clearance rack usually). Not everything is modest at the stores, but I like to get St. John's Bay t-shirts and polos.

If a skirt is thin and loose, even if it is long, it's usually cooler than capris!!

It IS possible to be modest and fashionable (mostly!), but I don't where the "fashionable" styles, mainly because I don't like them! Because of the climate where I live, the difficultly of finding modest clothing tends to stay the same. What's funny is that it's equally as hard to find modest pjs as it is to find clothes!!!

Neat questions! I enjoyed reading the other answers and answering myself! :)

Anonymous said...

"Where do you find modest clothing in your area?" --Almost any store...I usually buy something [mostly tops] and wear something modest underneath like a tank or camisole, or another shirt.

"Do you think it's possible to be fashionable and still modest? If so, how?" --YES! It's pretty easy...you take things that are fashionable and not too revealing and LAYER! layering is a huge thing any way and works great for all the teeny tiny stuff they sell. =)

"Do you think it's hard to find modest clothing in the summer?" No, I actually think it's easier.

"How do you keep cool in longer skirts/pants and sleeves?" Well, i don't wear long skirts [only below the knee skirts and only to church] but as far as bermuda shorts and capris go...I guess i really don't think about staying cool. with the high temps we have here in the summer, i would probably be just as hot even if i wasn't wearing any clothes!!!

"What are some reasons why wearing modest clothing is important?"
--It's commanded. The Bible says that our body is the temple of Christ. Modesty is just one way that we honor God's temple. It also helps our brothers in Christ to not stumble. =)