Lack of modest, fashionable clothes

  • Thread starter Thread starter ericka1701
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

ericka1701

Guest
I’ve had a nudge of conscious lately regarding the way I dress. It’s winter right now, so I am very covered 😉 but the past few summers, it seems that I’ve been wearing fewer and fewer clothes each year. I know that in scriptures it also advises women to wear modest attire, and I am wanting very much to do that, but the problem is when I try to look at companies that makes modest clothing specifically… let’s put it this way, I’m much too vain to be able to wear that type of clothing (at least at this point). I am really looking for shirts that don’t come down more than a few inches below my collar bone, that completely covers my midriff… and for skirts and shorts that comes down to at least my knees. In most of the retail stores here, I usually confuse the clothing with swim wear (and it covers about the same).

I would really appreciate any help with this. I have a few months before summer starts, but I would like to go ahead and buy some clothes so I can go ahead and clean out my closet and give the other stuff to Goodwill.

God Bless!
Ericka
 
So are you trying to become holy or remain vain? It’s your choice and we can’t make it for you…teachccd
 
Yes- there are very pretty clothes that are modest. I had a teacher who always wore long skirts and modest clothes because she thought anything else would be un-ladylike. She got married this spring to the perfect man 😉 LOL! Either you are too vain, shopping in all the wrong stores, or not looking hard enough! My two cents.
 
Are you asking for specific details as to what constitutes “modest clothes?”
 
Try Soft Surroundings. Long, very full skirts (especially cotton for summer) are very feminine & pretty, and a lightweight material is perfect for summer.
 
teachccd said:
So are you trying to become holy or remain vain? It’s your choice and we can’t make it for you…teachccd
Click to expand...
I feel that is an unfair statement. Also, why can’t there be a middle line? Why can’t there be pretty clothing that still covers and is modest? I am a witness, first of Christ, but also of the Catholic Church. How many people would want to even consider Catholicism if they thought they had to dress in styles that are, to put it nicely, out of date. I first am called to do the Lord’s work, but I am also called to not be a stumbling block to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Either extreme can be a sumbling block.

God Bless!
Ericka
 
Melissa said:
Try Soft Surroundings. Long, very full skirts (especially cotton for summer) are very feminine & pretty, and a lightweight material is perfect for summer.
Click to expand...
I recently discovered this catalog and am delighted with their clothing. They are not out of date or style. The long summer skirts are flattering and also breathable. The tops also cover the midriff and are quite stylish.
 
Thanks to everyone for the links and the information. I mentioned something about this to my mom and she also mentioned Land’s End having more modest clothing.

I will keep my eyes peeled for more options! I guess that I haven’t looked hard enough (but I’ve been wearing sweats and tee’s the past few weeks with the whole knee thing), however it is kinda hard to see past all of the halter tops and spaghetti straps.

God Bless!
Ericka
 
Gah, I totally understand. Finding modest clothes is almost a part-time occupation. I have honestly had the very best luck in thrift stores when it comes to good, long skirts. I also like plain oxford shirts, my favorite sort being made by American Eagle, which I can dress up or dress down. Layering also helps when it comes to modesty.
 
dove51 said:
Gah, I totally understand. Finding modest clothes is almost a part-time occupation. I have honestly had the very best luck in thrift stores when it comes to good, long skirts. I also like plain oxford shirts, my favorite sort being made by American Eagle, which I can dress up or dress down. Layering also helps when it comes to modesty.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the thrift store idea!! It’s been a really long time since I’ve been “treasure hunting” and I now remember when I went through my “hippy” phase I found all kinds of great skirts!

God Bless,
Ericka
 
You can find very nice clothes at alot of regular retail stores - it’s hard for me to tell you which ones since I don’t know your age, profession, climate, and what not.
But, Ann Taylor and Parisian have very cute, stylish and respectable clothing. I prefer blouses ad sweaters with skirts that cut to my knee, or right around there, and dresses. Unfortunately, I live in michigan, so more often I get stuck with pants. Baby, it’s cold outside!!😛
Macy’s is good, too.
There’s a brand called…A.N.A. that is really cute.
 
teachccd said:
So are you trying to become holy or remain vain? It’s your choice and we can’t make it for you…teachccd
Click to expand...
Know that’s funny, someone from Los Angels chiding a Southern Lady for dressing appropriate. I visit So Cal on business and eat at restaurants in Orange Co. and LA Co. and wow,:eek: You’d think “skin was in” with every female from 5 to 75yrs old.

Ericka, when out in public, the way you carry yourself in dress and conduct, reflects on you, your parents, your faith and your heritage as a Proper Southern Lady.👍 You know the right thing to do, even when it’s hot.😉
 
LookAWayDixieLd said:
Know that’s funny, someone from Los Angels chiding a Southern Lady for dressing appropriate. I visit So Cal on business and eat at restaurants in Orange Co. and LA Co. and wow,:eek: You’d think “skin was in” with every female from 5 to 75yrs old.

Ericka, when out in public, the way you carry yourself in dress and conduct, reflects on you, your parents, your faith and your heritage as a Proper Southern Lady.👍 You know the right thing to do, even when it’s hot.😉
Click to expand...
To be completely fair, I do see a very high percentage, even in my small southern town, of people who, by the way they dress, have no sense of modesty. It isn’t just in specific locations… I’ve seen tube tops and spaghetti straps in Mass before. :eek: I know most of the summer crowd is from up north (Ohio and such) and they come from the lake, but I don’t see it as a great imposition to take 2-3 minutes and cover up. I do have to remember that I’m on this side of the modesty issue, and that it took me almost 3 years to correct my own ways. :rolleyes:

It makes me pray even harder for my fellow man (and woman).

God Bless!
Ericka
 
here’s the modesty guidelines from my dd’s pure fashion program

purefashion.com/modesty
Shirts the neck line should be no lower than 4 fingers below the collar bone
no very thin or sheer material
may not be too tight in the bust area
should not allow the shape of the bra to be seen in the back (if you can it’s too tight)
cannot be spandex or very tight shirts
the backs should be modest, i.e. no strappy backs, halter or missing backs — tank tops should not be modeled without a shirt, jacket, or sweater over them
Pantsshould not be too tight, especially in the seat or the thigh area
should fit well, but not be “skin-tight”, you should be able to pull them away from the leg
shorts should be modest - no very short and/or tight shorts; if you put your arms down straight at the side, and the bottom of the shorts is higher than your longest finger, then the shorts are too short. (Remember, we will be on an elevated runway and everything will look a bit shorter to the audience.)
make sure there are no “panty lines” on stage. If necessary, wear pantyhose or a “thigh shaper” to hold everything in and create a smooth appearance in your clothing.
Click to expand...
Skirts and Dresses cannot be very tight fitting (follow shirt guidelines)
should not have too thin of material; if needed, a slip should be worn.
can be no shorter that 4 fingers above the top of the kneecap.
Dressesmust have a modest neck line (no lower than 4 fingers below the collar bone)
no thin straps (i.e. spaghetti straps)
if necessary, a dress with straps two fingers wide may be worn, if the whole dress is very modest… and no bra straps can be seen — but must be worn!
Click to expand...
 
I am all about thrift stores! If at first you don’t succeed, try another one, and try the first one again in a month. I drop in to two shops about every six weeks. Sometimes it’s a total waste of time, but one really great score is worth it. Plus it’s cheap, so you can go ahead and risk a new color or style and if you don’t like it, or it doesn’t match what you already have, put it right back into the donation bin.

Yard sales can also be amazing, particularly when rich people move 🙂
 
Somebody said that hunting for modest clothes was a part-time job. I tend to agree.

I don’t know what your budget or preferred style is. If you have money to spend, I’d recommend one of the higher end stores that market a “classic” look (you can buy accessories, etc. to jazz things up if that’s not your style) as they tend to carry less revealing clothing. Ann Taylor (or Ann Taylor Loft), J. Jill and even The Gap come to mind.

That said, if you are an off-the-rack size, it’s worth looking in conventional retailers- but it’ll take you some time. Try identifying brands that feature more conservative cuts (sorry, no names for you at the moment; I hate shopping and haven’t done much lately.) When you find an item you like, if you can afford it and have the storage, buy two (because the store won’t carry it next year :(. )

Also, some stores, like H&M, tend to re-use designs (recycle in new fabric, etc.- this is especially true of shirts); so if you find something that works there it’s worth going back. I safety pin (discreetly) the tops of shirts where the buttons are two low, but I’m sure you could someone to add a button for you.

Some discount stores like Ross carry very decent (or modest-I’ve come to loathe that word hanging out this board) pieces right along with the most revealing ones, because neither sells very well.

Lastly, as some previous posters have said, thrift stores can be good, especially if they are in affluent area. One of my sisters lived down the street from a consignment store that had very well-to-do patrons and she would routinely get lovely clothing on the cheap there.

Most of my wardrobe is built with a piece gotten here, a piece gotten there, but as most of what I buy is classic, I can wear things as long as they last. (I also admit to being satisfied with a lot less clothing then most women- hate shopping for clothes and hate change- so take it for what it’s worth…)
 
P.S. (Off-topic, sorry) I don’t know how all you all who live in places like Michigan and Tennessee do it.

I’m weathering my second east coast winter, having survived a second east coast summer, largely because the weather was comparatively mild.

I have clothes on my mind more than ever before this past year, because absolutely nothing is comfortable in this cursed climate. (OK, I know I’m a wimp.) And this is only DC.

During the summer, I covered up, mainly because I can’t stomach walking around half-naked, but also because any more exposed skin and I’d have lost so much blood to the mosquitoes I would’ve needed a transfusion. Really, what is the point of summer if you can’t stand to be outside??

I’d see girls walking with all their bits hanging out, and instead of meditating on declining standards of dress, think “gosh, they must be so much cooler than me.” If I could have shed my epidermis and lounged around in one less layer of skin, I would.

Those ladies in SoCal should cover up in gratitude for the beautiful weather they enjoy!
 
Ann Taylor is a great place for style and modesty without looking frumpy. I did a happy dance the day I found out they carry maternity clothes!

A quick way to adapt your wardrobe is simpy to buy camis and tanks. Then you can layer your tops. I like Express clothing but find the tops to be mostly distasteful/immodest. Some of their career tops can be layered, however, and it makes them quite nice for work.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top