Modest Dress for Christian Women and Girls

[Guest tygra]

Hi,

Before I was a Christian I didn't dress very modestly, although I guess I didn't wear anything over the top. Now, though I think it's more important to dress a little more modestly and not to wear suggestive clothing at all. The problem is, it's really hard to find things that are both modest but yet nice looking. I'm 18 and wear a size 4 (American clothing) and most of the things marketed to my size and age show off the belly, have a low cut top or are made to be worn skin tight. If I try for something modest it's usually too big, baggy or else makes me look like I'm wearing a sack. Does anyone have any suggestions of specific stores to shop or online retailers? I looked up modest clothing online and ended up with hijabs. I also never learned how to sew or knit although I would like to learn and then make some of my own items. Where does one go to learn these things? Anyway if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Also, my definition of modest means your upper arms, entire torso and legs down to the knees are covered. Does that sound right?

[Hvnly1Rose]

First I would like to commend you on your decision to dress modestly. It is truly a wise thing to not make your brother stumble because of the way you dress.

As for a specific store you can shop at that is not an easy thing to find. Especially for the tastes of the young ladies of today. I think that the best thing you can do is to decide what style you really like and then focus on stores that cater to that. You can also look in the ladies department for more modest clothing instead of the Young Womens section. I have taken my 16 year old to Target and after we weed through the immodest clothes we come out with a few outfits that are really nice and she likes that fit her personality. We have also gone to JC Penneys, Khols, as well as many other department stores. A lot of the stores you find in the Malls are not really good for being modest. You may find a few things at Lerners, or possibly at The Limited or Express but most are going to be very immodest. I don't know how tall you are but there is another store you can check if you are short, the Patite Sophisticate. They are not trashy but sophisticated. Learn your style and then search for the stores in your area. Don't really know what they have online because we don't usually shop online. My children always try everything on and if it doesn't fit the way they want it to then it goes back to the store. As for learning how to make your own clothing from scratch, the best place to go would be to a place like Joann Fabrics...or any decent sized fabric store in your area. Most of them offer sewing classes and teach you how to follow a pattern. Then you have a choice of modifying a pattern you find there, or even learn to make your own pattern. There is also a lot of stuff in those stores that will help you learn to knit/crochet sweaters and such, and they may even have classes for those as well.

I believe that your idea of modest clothing is right on. Hope this was of some help to you...happy hunting.

~Rose

[Guest shadow2b]

-they are not trashy but sophisticated

-just thought I'd report the definition of;"sophiscated"..IT sounds good?looks good?spelled out

-don't it??-Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary---

-Sophistic--or---sophistical--#1-of or relating to sophists,sophistry,or the ancient sophists,rhetoric

-subtleties,#2--plausible but fallacious reasoning,--sophistically--sophisticate--cated--cat-ing---

-#1---to alter deceptively,adulterate--to deprive of genuineness,naturalness,or simplicity,to deprive

-of naivete & make worldly-wise--disillusion--#3--to make complicated,or complex,----

-sophisticate--sophisticated--#1---not in a natural or pure or original state,--adulterated---

-#2---deprived of native or original simplicity-----

-just to add a little light to the word "sophisticated"to see it for it's true value or lack thereof.....

[Hvnly1Rose]

Shadow, Thank you so much for enlightening us on this deceptive word. I was truely unaware of the actual definition of the word. I will choose my words more carefully.

Blessings~Rose

[Guest shadow2b]

-Shadow, Thank you so much for enlightening us on this deceptive word. I was truely unaware of the actual definition of the word. I will choose my words more carefully.

Blessings~Rose

-WeLLLLL,ROSE you are more than welcome ....I wasn't really"jumping"on anyone I was just kinda

-astonished my self when I looked the word up---On the surface it seems to convey an intelligence

-or superior attitude,at least it did to me the first time I saw it-waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy on back

-thaRr in tha good-ole-days---ya-know?? just thought it was kinda odd--

[irishcowboy]

I also never learned how to sew or knit although I would like to learn and then make some of my own items. Where does one go to learn these things? Anyway if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them.

It use to be there were classes in highschool that taught such things as sewing and cooking and also child care...

prior to that, it was passed down from mother to daughter......

if you do no know of any one that sews, then maybe ask at church...... I am sure there are some ladies, that would love to help you learn how to sew......

you might even open up a door for a ministry, in making very nice modest cloths for other young ladies that have the same problem you are having in locating items that are appropriate....

that might even be an open door for a business for you, to have a shop that does not sell junk cloths....

mike

[Guest LadyC]

i like Newport News for online and/or catalog shopping. they have cute clothes, many of which fit your definition on modesty. and size 4 is definitely not a problem there.... not that i could fit in them anymore, lol, but at least someone can!

[IslandRose]

My daughters are now 18 and 25 and we have been dealing with the modest clothing issue for years. The rules in our house were always no low necklines, nothing too tight, no skin showing between the waist line and the t-shirt, and skirts to the knee. My girls have always gone along with the rules as long as they could wear clothes that didn't look like they had borrowed them from gramma's closet....

For the most part, they shop at Target, Old Navy, and the Gap. They are both pro's at hitting the clearance racks and getting really good bargains. They also find things that work at J.C. Penney and online at Land's End. Land's End is also a good place to find modest, one piece swim suits.

[papasangel]

If you like to sew I can direct you to two different sites in order to get a pattern to fit you. I sew my clothes and save a lot of money. My most expensive dress cost less than 16.00 to make and its very nice. Let me know. They are modeled after the Amish/mennonite clothing patterns.

Also your local college may have sewing classes in your are for a modest fee. You can sew your own clothes for your projects. Other than that Talk to the home Ec teacher in your local high school. She may be willing to show you the basics which is all you need for these patterns.

Or if you live near North Carolina maybe I can come and meet you somewhere to teach you how.

[nebula]

I also like Chadwicks of Boston - that's a link there.

Good for you on your choice!

I make the effort to dress modestly, although I wouldn't go so far as to have my entire upper arm covered in the summer - too hot!

And the problem with Target is that they don't make too many size 4 clothing.

But, you can always shop in the Women's section rather than the Junior's section in the department stores. I mean, there really is no rule that you have to buy clothes out of the Junior's section. That's just fashion designers' manipulation over us!

OK?