C
CountryMom27
Guest
I think God calls us to be modest and to use our judgement as to what’s appropriate. I’m a bit offended when men write what is and isn’t modest, and as far as the recommendation to make my own clothes - NO! I don’t sew, I’m not crafty and I don’t have the time, thank you.
I try to live by St. Francis of Assisi’s coda - We must be simple, humble, poor. And that’s what I think of as I pick outfits for church. Modest, simple, attractive, easy (I do have young children!). I always wear a skirt, usually mid calf or lower, and never sleeveless in church. And certainly no cleavage, but yes, more than 2 fingers below the throat! I dress up for church, and insist our children do as well, because I feel that it is much like going out for a nice dinner, or visiting a special place. Dressing up shows respect. It’s why, for example, we don’t wear jeans to a wedding. I find it more immodest to see men and women in shorts, bathing suits, flip flops, tank tops, and jeans in church then judging the length of one’s sleeves.
In my personal life I dress appropriately. I wear pants or capris often because I am more comfortable in them, and again, with small children, it is easier. I wear short sleeves, but rarely a tank because frankly they aren’t very attractive and I’m not comfortable in them outside of the gym. I think my dress would be fine by the Church’s standards, and by God’s.
Last time I checked, Catholic women were not being asked to dress in burqas, and men were not being asked to always wear longer sleeves and slacks.
Just why is this an issue? Are we so uncomfortable with making appropriate decisions that we need to rely on an Pope’s edict from 80 years ago?
I try to live by St. Francis of Assisi’s coda - We must be simple, humble, poor. And that’s what I think of as I pick outfits for church. Modest, simple, attractive, easy (I do have young children!). I always wear a skirt, usually mid calf or lower, and never sleeveless in church. And certainly no cleavage, but yes, more than 2 fingers below the throat! I dress up for church, and insist our children do as well, because I feel that it is much like going out for a nice dinner, or visiting a special place. Dressing up shows respect. It’s why, for example, we don’t wear jeans to a wedding. I find it more immodest to see men and women in shorts, bathing suits, flip flops, tank tops, and jeans in church then judging the length of one’s sleeves.
In my personal life I dress appropriately. I wear pants or capris often because I am more comfortable in them, and again, with small children, it is easier. I wear short sleeves, but rarely a tank because frankly they aren’t very attractive and I’m not comfortable in them outside of the gym. I think my dress would be fine by the Church’s standards, and by God’s.
Last time I checked, Catholic women were not being asked to dress in burqas, and men were not being asked to always wear longer sleeves and slacks.
Just why is this an issue? Are we so uncomfortable with making appropriate decisions that we need to rely on an Pope’s edict from 80 years ago?
I’ve always wondered about that! Yet, today many people here think that my sleeveless dress w/ a button-up neck-line (ie collared) is immodest! Weird the way things change! 
