The sort-of beginning of Sense and Sensibility Fashion week.
We live in a day and age with increasing immodesty, and many Christian blogs discuss this subject. I never really have posted on it, before, as my tastes in modest dress has evolved greatly since I was 15 years old, even until now, less than a week from my 20th birthday.
When I was in my early high-school years I dressed very normally, pants and cute tops. I was never very "immodest", but since then I have grown "More modest" .
My neckline preferences have been raised very high, and my skirt lengths much longer. And two years ago I began wearing only skirts and dresses, for personal convictions and preferences. I like sewing because I can alter patterns to fit my needs, and I love using thrift stores as a place to find lovely, swirling broom skirts.
I also sew historical apparel, as everyone who reads my blog knows. A lot of the young YOUTUBE crowd comment on my historical era costumes as "oldish" clothes, which makes me laugh.
But has immodesty always been present through-out history?
Is Immodesty something that was dictated by a certain style of belly-showing shirt from 1970, or can all forms of clothes, from all centuries be worn in a way, reflecting the heart, that is immodest?
There is a general idea that Old Fashion clothes are modest and sweet and innocent, and mostly this is true (especially among us Christian blogging folk who like to sew period outfits!)
This is because Old Fashion Clothes from the 1800's expedited longer skirts, more layers, no bellies showing, and sometimes (in Victorian and Edwardian times) high around-the-neck collars.
BUT! BUT! BUT!
If you were to time travel backwards and walk into the ballroom (Gazing desperately to find Willow-by!) you would not find all the ladies dressed modest. No, not even with their long skirts. Some would cut their necklines so low, you would cry out in horror!
If you were to go to Europe and street watch in 1880, you would not find all the ladies modest. Not even with their high-neck collars. You find some of their waists cinched too tight, and their bustles very enormous, so as to contort their bodies into an attractive figure..
You can be covered from head to toes and be immodest.
I have seen decently dressed Christian woman act in a way that does not befit a pure maid.
It does not matter if you are Christian, Islamic, from 1811 or 2011,
modesty starts at the heart. The way you walk, the way you address people, the way you hold yourself.
There is always a way dear friends to be modest.
Sometimes it takes time and personal growth. I wear things now, I would have laughed at four years ago.
HOWEVER, don't go the other way.
The hardest thing about dressing modestly for me, is not judging others if I think that maybe their shirt should be higher.
Modesty is not defined (unfortunately) in the New Testament as having so many inches to your skirt, or this or that.
Every person must decide, through prayer, what is their standard of modesty.
And, modesty can be fun! Wear bright colors and find tasteful make-up and jewslrey. Dress to please God, and your parents, but let your style shine.
Do not be scared. Pants, or skirts, heels or no heels, ask God and grow with His grace. As you mature, your modesty standards might change. I have some good friends with 4 daughters who believed in only wearing skirts and dresses, then, the Lord released them from that conviction, and the girls wear pants and skirts.
Head Coverings are another issue as well. People cover for a multitude of reasons, and if you wonder about if you should cover or not, talk to your family and pray.
My very good friend Hannah covers, and her sister does not.
Know that God is gracious and he will help you.
But please, don't pass over modesty as just how you look on the outside.
Look at your heart.
I am just a girl, struggling with these issues myself, so I may be wrong in this or that, but get what you can out of this.
Oh yes, and just for the fun of it. Who do you think was more modest (in decorum as well as dress) in the book S&S- Elinor Dashwood or Lucy Steele?
If you need help on defining their characters, read the last 2 chapters of S&S and see how Lucy Steele acts and who she marries and how! UMMMM!!!!
xoxoxox
Lexi
My neckline preferences have been raised very high, and my skirt lengths much longer. And two years ago I began wearing only skirts and dresses, for personal convictions and preferences. I like sewing because I can alter patterns to fit my needs, and I love using thrift stores as a place to find lovely, swirling broom skirts.
I also sew historical apparel, as everyone who reads my blog knows. A lot of the young YOUTUBE crowd comment on my historical era costumes as "oldish" clothes, which makes me laugh.
But has immodesty always been present through-out history?
Is Immodesty something that was dictated by a certain style of belly-showing shirt from 1970, or can all forms of clothes, from all centuries be worn in a way, reflecting the heart, that is immodest?
There is a general idea that Old Fashion clothes are modest and sweet and innocent, and mostly this is true (especially among us Christian blogging folk who like to sew period outfits!)
This is because Old Fashion Clothes from the 1800's expedited longer skirts, more layers, no bellies showing, and sometimes (in Victorian and Edwardian times) high around-the-neck collars.
BUT! BUT! BUT!
If you were to time travel backwards and walk into the ballroom (Gazing desperately to find Willow-by!) you would not find all the ladies dressed modest. No, not even with their long skirts. Some would cut their necklines so low, you would cry out in horror!
If you were to go to Europe and street watch in 1880, you would not find all the ladies modest. Not even with their high-neck collars. You find some of their waists cinched too tight, and their bustles very enormous, so as to contort their bodies into an attractive figure..
You can be covered from head to toes and be immodest.
I have seen decently dressed Christian woman act in a way that does not befit a pure maid.
It does not matter if you are Christian, Islamic, from 1811 or 2011,
modesty starts at the heart. The way you walk, the way you address people, the way you hold yourself.
There is always a way dear friends to be modest.
Sometimes it takes time and personal growth. I wear things now, I would have laughed at four years ago.
HOWEVER, don't go the other way.
The hardest thing about dressing modestly for me, is not judging others if I think that maybe their shirt should be higher.
Modesty is not defined (unfortunately) in the New Testament as having so many inches to your skirt, or this or that.
Every person must decide, through prayer, what is their standard of modesty.
And, modesty can be fun! Wear bright colors and find tasteful make-up and jewslrey. Dress to please God, and your parents, but let your style shine.
Do not be scared. Pants, or skirts, heels or no heels, ask God and grow with His grace. As you mature, your modesty standards might change. I have some good friends with 4 daughters who believed in only wearing skirts and dresses, then, the Lord released them from that conviction, and the girls wear pants and skirts.
Head Coverings are another issue as well. People cover for a multitude of reasons, and if you wonder about if you should cover or not, talk to your family and pray.
My very good friend Hannah covers, and her sister does not.
Know that God is gracious and he will help you.
But please, don't pass over modesty as just how you look on the outside.
Look at your heart.
I am just a girl, struggling with these issues myself, so I may be wrong in this or that, but get what you can out of this.
Oh yes, and just for the fun of it. Who do you think was more modest (in decorum as well as dress) in the book S&S- Elinor Dashwood or Lucy Steele?
If you need help on defining their characters, read the last 2 chapters of S&S and see how Lucy Steele acts and who she marries and how! UMMMM!!!!
xoxoxox
Lexi
This is a great post! Over the past year or so (ever since I started blogging, actually), I've been working on dressing more modestly...longer skirts, higher necklines, or layer or refashioning clothes to make them more modest. I may not wear skirts every day, but I work to dress in a way that is God-pleasing, and cute.(:
ReplyDeleteI love your outfit, btw! It's darling!
~Vicki
deckedoutinruffles.blogspot.com
Hi Lexi!
ReplyDeleteI was just dropping by your blog, and wanted to thank you for your blog post! It is so wonderful to find young women who have the same views as I do. I try my best to dress modestly to please God and save myself for my future husband. I totally agree with you that modesty starts at the heart!! :)
Thank you again, I can't wait to read your other posts this week!
Love,
Liz