So many changes are happening in our world; it almost makes things like modesty seem unimportant. If life as we know it falls apart and our hard-won freedoms are crushed–what will modesty matter then? Isn’t it rather superficial to believe that something like the clothes we wear makes any difference at all in our turbulent times?
I considered that question today. Not that I was considering a personal change; I was just wondering if other people would care to read more articles about modesty or if they are too caught up in reading about protests and possible impeachments to give it a serious thought. But then, I thought, we still have to get dressed every day; we still have to put something on. Whether or not we’re inentional about it, our choice of clothing still says something about our beliefs. It doesn’t say everything, but it says something. And, that something can be one more thing that shines light into a dark world. For me, personally, what kind of things does it say?
It says . . .
- I love being me; I love being a woman. I have no desire to compete with men. According to the Bible (and our own anatomy & biology), real and meaningful gender differences exist between men and women. Those differences were purposely designed by God, and I want to live by and emphasize them, not create “fluidity” between them. That’s why I choose to wear a feminine dress or skirt every day.
- I am a pious woman of God. I don’t live mainly for me, I live mainly for something higher. Am I perfect? No, not even close. Yet, though I am certainly not a woman of total perfection, I am a woman of holy devotion, because I am devoted to something–Someone–holy. I intentionally follow a different path than our mainstream, secular culture. God does exist, and I hope to point to Him through my lifestyle, which includes, though it is not limited to, how I choose to dress with modesty, discretion, and purity. I make it a point to stand out a little, in a good way.
- I care about my marriage. I care about looking pretty and attractive to my husband. I want to remind him that he’s got something good, that I’m still his prize. So, I try to dress in a way that is beautiful and appealing to my husband. I also want to avoid giving other men ideas. I’m not available, I’m not trying to grab their attention, I’m faithful to my husband, I don’t want to flirt with anybody, I expect to be treated with respect, I expect to be thought of with honor, etc. That’s why I also take care to present myself with moderacy and appropriateness.
It seems to me that every one of those reasons for dressing modestly and in a feminine way is valid for our time. Nothing has changed. Our choice of clothing (which is an outworking of our deep beliefs about the nature of reality and relationships) still matters.
What does the Modern, Modest Woman look like?
Well, she may look a little different than the women of former times; she’s dropped a few unhelpful trends, yet she’s preserved whatever could be found of timeless wisdom.
In former times (think Victorian), women often dressed in multi-layered, bulky garments that could at the same time be tight and restrictive. I sometimes watch videos from PriorAttire. It’s really amazing all the layers that women of the past wore! And yet, they still managed to satisfy their vanity by showcasing the upper portion of their chests. They emphasized in an almost silly way their tiny waistlines and poofy derrieres. Of course, not all women dressed this way; just the fashionable ones. There were religious women who dressed more modestly and with more sense. However, we still don’t wear as many layers as they did. Is this in improvement, or a downgrade?
I think that in a general sense, it’s an improvement. So much fabric must have been a hindrance to natural movement, in addition to being hot and expensive.
The way modest women of our times dress is much lighter and more practical compared to how women of previous times dressed. This demonstrates that for us, wearing modest clothing which includes skirts and dresses is actually very easy and doable.
I don’t think I would have ever liked to wear a corset or five layers of fabric all at once; but, I’m fine with wearing a skirt with leggings. So simple!
On the other hand, I don’t believe we should discount the value of wearing layers. We don’t want to go too far. An added undershirt to hide the outline of bra straps and cover the skin up to the collarbone (if the outer shirt has a low neckline) is indispensable for modesty. Leggings or a slip under a skirt is a must. You never know when a gust of wind may come sweeping by, or a toddler may pull on your clothing, or you may trip over something. This added layer also helps hide the outline of underwear. So, there’s a balance: not too many layers, but neither too few.
Another way that modesty has changed from what it used to be is this: it used to be culturally normal for all Western women to wear skirts or dresses, so it didn’t carry quite the same meaning it has today. Yes, modest dresses have always been a mark of femininity; but, what I am saying is that the challaneges of those days, though in many ways similar, were not the exact same challenges of our day. We live in a time when the traditional, biblical meaning of marriage, of what gender is, and of our role in society are greatly questioned. And though these things, it seems to me, have always been a subject of interest, they have never experienced the great collisions of our day.
Wearing modest skirts or dresses today sends a clear message to our surrounding society of what our values are and where our loyalties lie. This style of clothing may not have made such a strong statement before, but it does now.
In that case, the Modern, Modest Woman is a brave woman. She steps out into a place of confusion and tension, and says, “I know what the answers are. I’m confident in my role. I will not bend to a depraved and confused society. I will lift my heart to heaven and aim my steps after the Savior. I will base my life on the Bible. Reject me, if you like; it will not change my course. But . . . maybe you will see me and have hope–perhaps you will be inspired.”
I think that feminine modesty certainly does have a meaningful place in the Millenium. It has its place in 2021 along with global pandemics, political upheavals, threatening globalism and destruction of national and moral boundaries, and whatever else we will live through this year and the coming ones. It has its place because purity has a place, gender clarity has a place, and strong traditional marriages have a place. None of those things have suddenly become irrelevant, therefore modesty continues to be relevant.
Modesty is about more than clothing styles; it is about how we approach life as a whole. At least, it should be.
Modesty should be an outward declaration of an inward commitment. Our hearts, our minds, our behavior, and our appearance are all tied up into one: Who We Are.
The way we dress is not disconnected from our worldview and our selves as Christian women, but is an extension of it. If it were not connected, we would be hypocrites; but while it is connected, we are simply living out our genuine love for God. It is one more part of our being living sacrifices:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
***
I recently ordered this beautiful skirt on Amazon from a brand called Tronjori:
Tranjori offers a variety of skirts, though not all of them are modest. But, they do have some which are very modest and cute. Plus, they are reasonably priced.
This one, which I received shortly after placing the order was exactly what I expected: multi-tiered peasant skirt; 100% Lyocell, light-weight fabric; dark blue denim color; in size Large. It fits me perfectly and has a very comfortable, soft elastic waist. I think this is probably the most comfortable waist I’ve ever had on a skirt. As my body changes throughout the years, I’m sure this skirt will continue to fit.
One thing to note about the waist: It is a bit more stretchy than other elastic waists, so if you are concerned about it getting pulled on by toddlers, you may want to order a size smaller than you normally wear. It is not covered by fabric, but is “raw”; however, it is very soft and not stiff at all.
Dressing modestly does not have to be hard or expensive. It can be very easy, affordable, and what’s more, a joy! I love to feel pretty in a long skirt! No, I’m not a fashion model, neither do I think that I’m exceptionally beautiful. The picture below was taken on a normal day. This is how I dress when I want to be comfortable. Though it is not a picture of glamor, I do hope it inspires you to start, or to continue, dressing modestly in your everyday life, too!
Let’s be committed to being a community of like-minded women who encourage each other to honor God with our choices, clothing included.
- Do you have any thoughts on being modest in our modern times–what does dressing modestly mean to you?
- Would you like to share where you purchase your modest skirts or dresses?
~Jessica
This came out at just the right time. I made the modesty switch about a year ago now. I go to a great church with amazing people. I noticed most women there wear tight jeans or short shorts etc.. .. so I thought to my self these awesome ladies wear jeans maybe it’s not such a big a deal. But I remember clearly that God told me to stop wearing leggings… Which naturally made sense to let go of all my skinny jeans too. Thank you for reminding me why I wear dresses and skirts in the first place. Even if others choose to wear the typical dress code of society it’s important to obey what Christ has told me. I think others just may not understand where I am yet… But one thing I learned that if you ask God what he thinks He will tell you.
God bless…. I needed this encouragement!
Glad to know that the article was so timely for you, Natali!
Yes, I understand what you mean: it can be hard for me, too, to see women in my church who seem to love God (and I believe they do) allowing themselves to follow society in this area. I pretty much tell myself the same thing you do: they are just not there yet in their understanding. But, maybe I’m one of the people God is using to get them there. Wouldn’t that be awesome! In how many ways might we be an inspiration to others without even knowing it? And, even if we don’t initiate a whole wardrobe change for them, God may nevertheless be using us to shine light, share joy, and illustrate valuable lessons to those around us.
I never had an experience where I actually heard God telling me to wear only modest skirts and dresses; it was just something that made the most sense to do, based on what I knew His word said about being both modest and feminine. So, when I feel in doubt, I just go back to His word, and that settles it for me. I know that other ladies (like the ones from my church) may not see it as clearly as I do, but that’s okay. I remind myself that we’re all on a journey and we’re not all at the same place. I agree with you that if we really want to know what God thinks, He will reveal it to us. I think the trouble with some people is that they aren’t really open to what that might mean for them, to the changes they might have to make in their lives. But, maybe one day, they’ll get there. 🙂
~Jessica
Please DO write more about stuff like this. If I hear or read the words “mask”, “new normal”, “pandemic”, and anything related to the election, I might tear my hair out. :). I totally agree with all you said, by the way.
Ha, ha, yeah, I feel pretty much the same way about all of that, Jessica! I’m glad to hear that you agreed with the article! Thanks for your helpful feedback on this topic; I look forward to writing more on it in the future. 🙂
~Jessica
I buy most of my dresses and skirts on Amazon and Blair.
Texasmom linked to some long dresses that I love on Amazon. They run around $25-$30.
I live in those. They are loose and flowy. They are thin so I wear a shirt and slip under them. It’s the Yes/No brand.
I would love to hear where other ladies find their modest clothes.
Thanks for the tip, Linda! I looked on Amazon for the brand you mentioned, is it this one?:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/933AB4A4-46C4-4AE4-AC5E-836CC518BFBB?ingress=2&visitId=56df417e-2423-445e-9052-2b0e7870f13c&ref_=ast_bln
~Jessica
I DO try to be as modest as possible! I try to avoid exposing excess skin publicly unless I’m BFIP, but I try avoiding this as much as I can.
Wonderful, Courtney, that’s great! When I need to nurse the baby in public, I usually try to find a room nobody is using (like if I’m at a friend’s house, I’ll use the bedroom). Or, I’ll go to a quiet corner where there aren’t many people, or even the car. I really like to use my homemade nursing cover when I’m out:
https://theheavenlyhearth.com/2018/12/09/how-i-made-my-own-nursing-cover-for-5/
~Jessica
Thank you Jessica. This is a much needed post. I’ve started making modest jumpers. As you know I’m teaching myself to sew. I want to sew an Mennonite style cape dress but I still need to develop my skills. I haven’t figured out sleeves and zippers yet.
I have some cape dresses my Mennonite friends in CA made for me before we moved to AZ .
Southern Baptist on Hwy 89 has free clothing giveaways periodically so I can find nice tops to wear under my jumpers and sometimes I will find a jumper I like.
You’re welcome, Regina!
Ooh, jumpers–sound fun! I’ve wanted to make my own jumpers for I don’t know how long! One lady even sent me a link to a pattern, which I unfortunately have not bought yet. What pattern are you using?
I’ve been to one of the clothing giveaways at Southern Baptist, about 10 or so years ago. I’m glad to hear they’re still doing that!
~Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I’m sorry for my late reply. I’m just seeing this today. I’m using from The Kings Daughters the Laura’s Jumper pattern. I found that it’s a good beginner’s pattern. The Kings Daughters has some really nice patterns.
Thanks for that, Regina! I hope to look that up soon!
~Jessica
I make my own dresses, though good quality fabric is hard to find at a decent price. So I wear them until they either don’t fit or are so worn out I couldn’t patch them anymore. I’ve actually also been studying clothing of the Victorian era recently and actually came to a slightly different conclusion than you seem to have: The cloth back then was more duruable than the expensive cloth of cheap quality available to us today. People also took care of their dresses – wearing linen shifts under everything to absorb sweat and keep the body cool, and then putting on a large apron or pinafore to protect their dresses whenever they were working with things that could make a mess (gardening, cooking, cleaning,…). That way they didn’t need to have as many outer dresses, because they could wear them for longer periods at a time before having to wash them. The only items of clothing they might have changed every day would have been their shifts and stockings. Everything else could be worn for several days in a row. I’ve been wondering if maybe I could find some suitable linen somewhere and do the same. Then I don’t have to worry about immediately replacing every dress that becomes too tight or wears out. And as my body changes over the years I will be able to spend way less time making dresses for myself. While I might not get quite as layered as the Victorians did, I do wonder sometimes, if instead of those short, thin, slippery underskirts I wear nowadays – for lack of alternatives – I might make something a bit more full to give the skirt of my dress a shape that would keep it from clinging to my legs and make it impossible for light to shine through from behind me and outline my legs, as sometimes happens due to the cheap quality of the fabric of my dresses. And then there are corsets… Yes, we can be glad not to be expected to wear them with the purpose of strongly reducing our waists, but as a simple, flexible support structure I can’t imagine it being more uncomfortable than some modern-day bras. I’m seriously considering trying to make a corset for myself just to try it out. It would help me with my posture, support my back when I’m carrying things and working around the house and it would give a certain comfortable amount of pressure to the tummy area while keeping all the soft, squishy organs in place and giving them a layer of protection our modern clothes don’t provide at all. At lease this is the impression I’ve gotten about this from my research. I really find it very interesting. And about the ladies back then being hot in all those layers: I’ve also watched videos of historical costumers debunking this. They wore the same layers people would have back then, made of the same natural-fiber, breathable materials and discovered that on a hot summer day those highly layered outfits were much more comfortable than our modern alternatives. That came as a surprise to me too, but people were innovative even then and probably knew more about regulating body temperature through clothing than we tend to give them credit for.
Thank you for your very informative comment, Erika!
I’m so impressed to hear that you make your own dresses and feel blessed to have you share with us your knowledge of Victorian-era clothing! I’m no expert; I just imagine that I would not like to wear a lot of layers or wear a corset. But I do think you’re right that natural fibers would be more breathable. I also think you’re right that protecting our clothing so we don’t damage it is wise (I do this in my own way with an apron). I know that not all women of the late 1800’s dressed in silly getups; I’ve read some of what Ellen White, the founder of the Seventh-Day Adventists taught her followers about this: she advised wearing non-restrictive clothing, which would be better for their health, which I think was good advice.
My emphasis is that we don’t have to dress like women from the 1800’s to be modest, that it can be quite easy for any modern woman to do. However, if there was any wisdom in the way they dressed back then, we certainly wouldn’t want to pass it up! Please feel free to share more about what you’re learning!
I try to wear skirts that are a medium to dark color, since I’ve noticed basically the same thing you mentioned about the light going through the fabric if it is too light a color. Denim is usually a good choice, I think. I also like skirts that are loosely gathered, which helps keep things more discreet. I can’t wear anything tight around my middle; my digestive system gets upset, so I wear stretch bras without any underwire, and of course, skirts with elastic waists. I always wear leggings or shorts underneath, and almost always an undershirt, which I think do what you said about wicking moisture away from the skin and helping to preserve our regular clothing from getting dirty.
Here’s an idea for a slip, which I haven’t personally bought yet, but which might be a style you could try your hand at?:
https://www.phyllisjean.net/cotton-slips.html
~Jessica
Thank you for the lovely message. I have Muslim lady friends who also dress modestly with some very practical and beautiful full length dresses usually in plain fabric. What I do find strange is the makeup worn. Christian ladies tend to avoid makeup for reasons of modesty so I can’t get the difference with Muslim approach. Head cover is a given though which also looks modest and humble. What are your thoughts about the makeup? At the end of the day both Christian and Muslim in this scenario try their best and that’s great.
Hi, Susan! You’re welcome!
I have also noticed the same thing about Muslim women. Though, I don’t think all of them wear a lot of makeup, just some of them. My thoughts run along these lines: Muslim women are not really approaching life from a biblical perspective, so though their culture expects them to be modest, not all of them may feel like being modest in their hearts. Because of this, they look for an outlet for their vanity (their desire to feel beautiful) in a way that is culturally acceptable, which is usually makeup since everything else has to be covered. They do look gorgeous, which I say sincerely and with admiration. Wanting to look beautiful isn’t necessarily bad, but sometimes vanity can be mixed in with that. Christian women understand (at least, they should) that modesty is a lifestyle and that it includes everything that touches us: our clothing, our hair, our makeup (or lack of), our words, our behavior toward others, etc. If the heart is modest, everything else should be. That’s not to say we can’t look pretty, though! It seems to me that modesty (with no or little makeup) lends a certain simple yet natural beauty that makeup can’t give, though cosmetics can highlight or emphasize our features to make them appear more pleasant to the eye. I usually don’t wear makeup, except every now and then since my husband likes it. And when I do, it’s not a lot. How about you?
~Jessica
Well-written Jessica 🙂
Years ago, when I first attempted to only wear skirts in my work with preschoolers, it was not uncommon for curious little boys (whose mothers may not ever have worn a skirt in their memory) to try to either flip them or look up them. These days, I usually wear leggings under tunics that end above the knee. Regardless of the season, I also wear a light sweater that covers at least my torso. This is especially important if I think the tunic is too clingy.
I buy most of my tunics/dresses second-hand at the Salvation Army and will adjust if I think they’re too long or ornate for my purposes.
Hi, Amy!
I appreciate hearing about your experience; thanks for the tips! I’m sure they will be helpful to women in similar situations.
Have you seen these skorts, from Dressing for His Glory?: https://dressingforhisglory.com/collections/flared-skort/products/flare-skort-ladies
They are a bit more money than the thrift shop, but I have ordered several skorts from Ceil, and they were all good quality. The skorts are very helpful with little children. And, the skirts can be ordered with or without pockets, with or without slits, and the length can be adjusted to your preference. Maybe that’s an idea for the future?
~Jessica
As so often Jessica I agree 100% with your observations on both modesty and the importance of showing in our dress that we are women, distinct from men and cherish our God given femininity. This alone is reason to wear only skirts and dresses, but I would add to that that whatever the cut trousers / pants are simply not modest in the way they draw the eye.
Can I add one observation which I have become more conscious of in the last year or two helped by my husband. Much of women’s fashion and women’s underwear has throughout history been aimed specifically at sexualising our appearance by accentuating (and often exposing) the breasts or highlighting the bottom or thighs. Think of the Victorian corset and bustle, think 1950’s girdle and bullet bra, think modern ‘push up’ bras etc.
What we wear and how we honour God, our husbands and our families in our modesty is ultimately very much up to our husbands (or for younger women our fathers) but definitely we should be conscious to avoid deliberately provocative sexualised clothing.
Yes, very good points, Susanne!
I agree with you. I do avoid wearing push up bras. I think that some of those things (bustles, etc.) were fads that we are better without. And I hate the 1950’s bullet bras. Some of the movies from that period are hard to watch because of the women with pointy breasts–yuck! I can’t believe they ever thought that was a good thing. Probably, though, there were women who didn’t wear that type of bra, though we see it greatly popularized in the movies. Not everyone went along with the fads, and neither should we. 🙂
~Jessica
Whilst much of 50’s fashion – especially the lovely, longer length full skirts can be beautiful, it was in many ways overtly sexualised. The emphasis being on making the beasts very prominent not just with immodest bras, but also through highly structured girdles to create a small waist.
I guess where I come to is that for modesty we should look not just to covering but also natural in terms of shape. With underwear which is modest in terms of coverage, supportive where appropriate (for example nursing) but not in any way sexualised.
I agree, Susanne. Thank you for sharing your observations!
~Jessica
Lovely article, Jessica!
I think it’s good to focus on things like modesty. Yes, there is a very large part of me that wants to run down the street panicking about the things happening in our world – loss of rights, loss of freedom, impending doom, etc. – but the truth is that there is very little that we can do about the larger trends of society. What we CAN do, what is truly within our reach, is to bless and serve the tiny corner of humanity that is under our God-given jurisdiction – that is, our individual families. So things like modesty become even more important, even as our society falls in shreds around us.
Lovely thoughts!
Diana
What a great way to put it, Diana!
What you said is how I feel, too. Sometimes I feel frustrated and helpless, but then I think to myself, “Okay, I can’t do all that I’d like to be able to do to change things, but what CAN I do?” Then I remember that God has given me the responsibility to care for my own family, to watch my own life, to be a good influence on those I touch in my own small circle. That’s not so hard, is it? And, even when it is, I have His help, and it’s at least POSSIBLE. It’s a much more doable goal. I just have to focus on that and pray for the rest, which I know God is big enough to handle, though I’m not. I don’t think that even 1,000 or 1,000,000 of us are big enough to handle these problems on our own. Horses, chariots, armies, weapons, worldly wisdom, etc. aren’t what is needed–God is, and we can 100% count on Him. When I think that way, I breathe more freely.
Thanks!
~Jessica
Very encouraging article for christian women who value modesty. You in the photo is so beautiful. And I also feel that modest clothing can be a strong message in this modern times.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Sanae! I’m so glad you agree on the continued importance of modesty in our modern times.
~Jessica
The new skirt looks so beautiful and feminine on you! It looks comfortable too.
I am a pretty large boned woman with broad hips, so not all skirts work for me.
I sew my own denim jumpers and line the bodice. That way, I can wear a nice pretty blouse underneath with a cotton undershirt and not even wear a bra. This allows me to be more comfortable, since I have digestive issues and bras can add to the pressure. I live in California where “anything goes” as far as dress. But, I have even had men come up to me and say it was “refreshing” for them to see a woman who is modestly dressed and one whose clothing does not tempt them. I feel when I go out, I am truly a witness. At home, only my husband sees me but he always tells me how proud he is to have a godly, modestly dressed wife. I will never go back to wearing tight leggings and skimpy revealing shirts. The personal reward for dressing modestly is a blessing, and to know I also stand before God who sees me. Maybe I even attract some angels without knowing it and who would not want that??
Hi, Cynthia!
Thank you for the compliments! I felt so happy to read about your experiences with dressing modestly. I think they help demonstrate that people do notice and appreciate our making the effort to dress appropriately! You made some wonderful points!
~Jessica
What a great post! I agree that it is possible to modest, feminine, and yet modern. As I’ve continued in my modesty journey, I’ve noticed I tend to prefer skirts that are fuller rather than pencil. Not that all pencil skirts are immodest, mind you. I’ve seen women who wear them very modestly and femininely. I personally just feel more comfortable in A line or flowy skirts. And I can move around and get stuff done!
Thank you, Elisa!
Yes, I like fuller skirts, too; peasant skirts are my favorite. I’ve noticed that the more experience we have with dressing modestly in skirts, the better we become at finding what works best for our body type, just as you pointed out. 🙂
~Jessica
Thanks so much for this. I look forward to more posts from you. Btw I’m a nurse and have found a wonderful company C.Saucy that sells scrub skirts made of the tech fabric most modern scrubs are made of. They have lots of pockets and are stretchy. I get one size larger for modesty.
Hello, Nikki!
Wow, that is so neat that you found skirts to wear while working as a nurse! Thank you for sharing the helpful tip with us about where you get your scrub skirts. I will add a link on my resource page for any other women who may be interested. Thank you!
~Jessica
P.S. I checked out the site, and the skirts are adorable! I am putting the link here, too, for ladies reading the comments:
https://csaucy.com/
Hi Jessica, This post is a breath of fresh air for me. I’ve been wearing skirts and dresses for just over a year and have found it challenging to find skirts for everyday activities. I’ve recently noticed that women tend to look at me as if I’m strange wearing a long skirt when walking my dog. Men on the other hand simply greet me with “Good Morning.” Thanks to your posts and videos I feel encouraged there are other Christian women dressing modestly. You look beautiful! Thank you for this Amazon link. I’m going to give one of them a try cause I’ve recently discovered that flowy skirts work best for me.
Wonderful to hear from you, Justine! You’re welcome for the link, and I hope you find a new skirt that works well for you!
I’ve been wearing skirts and dresses only for about nine years now, and I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m pretty comfortable in them no matter where I go, what I’m doing, or who I’m seeing. I guess it’s just become a part of myself; but, it took awhile for me to feel that way. I’m sure that as time passes, you’ll feel more comfortable, too, and find solutions to whatever challenges you face while wearing a skirt or dress! 🙂
~Jessica
Justine – you made me laugh because I walk the dog most days and always in a long skirt / dress (I have worn skirts exclusively since my engagement over 17 years now).
I admit to two curses; heavy rain and barbed wire fences ! But otherwise it simply isn’t an issue.
Thank you so much for this article, and also for the new one about how to teach children about modest dressing. Our children are grown, and we taught them modesty, but there’s always room for more growth! You are a blessing!
You’re welcome, Angela! I really appreciate your kind words and support!
~Jessica
I really appreciated this article! I switched to skirts only 5 years ago. My biggest challenge right now is finding dresses for my daughters (preteen and teen). They love wearing skirts and joyfully understand the modesty and Biblical femininity reasons behind our wearing them. However they have asked for some dresses (which are harder to find that fit right, especially at a time when most stores have closed their fitting rooms due to Covid etc). Being a homeschooling one-income family means clothing has to fit a smaller budget too. I’ve found skirts are easy to find online secondhand….but dresses are harder now that my girls wear adult sizes.
Hi, Kelly! Thanks! I always love getting comments from other women who wear skirts and dresses only!
One solution that I’ve found to the problem of short dresses is this:
I cut a long piece of fabric, gather it, then sew it to the bottom of the dress. Or, I may have an old peasant-style skirt that I can trim one of the rows off of, then sew it to the bottom of dress. This gives the dress a row of gathered fabric along the bottom. It can be as long as you want it, and you will of course want to find fabric that matches the dress.
Later, I can send you a photo of what this looks like. 🙂
One type of dress that works well is the maxi dress. Not all of them are clingy. You can either wear a shirt underneath, or a shirt over the top.
I totally understand your situation! Hope this answer helps!
~Jessica
It can be challenging to find suitable and modest dresses for girls but definitely persevere ! Especially as your girls are keen to follow a Godly path in feminine modesty.
I’ve recently started shopping at Inherit Clothing Company (online). They’re a small business in Morris, Minnesota. I love their clothing! They do live sales every week on Facebook & Instagram (which I am not on) & on their app (free) if you use their app you can sign up for rewards. They also will give out $5 app credits on their live sales. Such cute clothes & great business 🙂👍🏻
Thanks for the tip, Brianna! Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying their clothing! I have them listed on my Modesty Resources page:
https://theheavenlyhearth.com/modest-clothing/
~Jessica