There IS a Vatican Code of Modesty that has been recommended for a very long time, I think, possibly 50 years or longer. Women’s fashions started becoming immodest on a grand scale after WWI. In essence it consists of these directives, especially in church:
- Clothing should not follow closely the contours of the body. A few inches of ease is best. If your clothing outlines your bosom, bottom, or hips, it is too tight. (Neither should a woman outline her pregnant figure with stretchy tops). Slacks or pants are best avoided completely.
- Fabrics should be opaque, not see-through, nor skin-colored as to appear transparent.
- Necklines should be no deeper than two-fingers’ breadth below the pit of the throat.
- Hemlines should be long enough to cover the knees generously when sitting or standing.
- Garments must have sleeves, and, minimally, reach to the middle of the upper arm. Sleeveless blouses, tank tops, and cap sleeves are unacceptable.
- In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament a woman’s head should be covered.
While there is no mention of footwear, I suggest that
- Beach-type shoes, “hardly there” sandals or flip-flops, are for the beach or backyard.
and
- Clothing that looks like lingerie, even though it is sold as outerwear, should not show as it is still suggestive.
I hope this is helpful. Women need to bear in mind that what they wear can have an effect, for good or evil, on those who look upon them. We have an obligation to protect others from temptation, especially men, who are very visual creatures, bless them. I know that for years it has been a help to me to have had these guidelines. Ideally, we should be dressing modestly wherever we happen to be, though these days it is very difficult to purchase lovely, yet modest clothes. Even the pattern companies have let us down. But it is not an impossible task if one is determined to dress according to standards pleasing to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. We
will be held accountable for everything we do. +JMJ+