Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for August 27th 2011:

• 10 Things you can do to encourage modesty if you’re a guy – A lot of people believe that men have no business talking modesty or anything pertaining to women.  Here’s 10 things that men can do do encourage modesty.
• The Girl and Modesty – A dad finds that his daughter has innate modesty on the way home from a day playing in a pool.
• Hatred and Modesty – We need to be careful that our desire to be modest does not set us up to judge someone else—which this post talks in detail about the way a group of people demonized and judged motives of those that disagreed with them.
• Duggars on Modesty – This post focuses on the Duggars and modesty, looking at their Q&A with a couple of videos on the issue.
• Husband + Me = Our Wardrobe – A wife talks about how she and her husband can share a wardrobe.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for August 20th 2011:

• Is Modesty the Best Policy? – Interesting article coming from the personality side of things, should someone be modest about their accomplishments or boast in them?
• Wardrobe Basics for Fall – Diviine Modestee wants you to know that they’re ready for fall, and you should be too.
• Modest Clothing Makes a Good Impression on the Person Wearing Them – I don’t know how many time’s I’ve read of a woman wearing a skirt and liking the way that it swishes!  Modest clothing helps your outlook and how you view yourself.
• Modesty: An Alternative to Attention Seeking – True modesty is much deeper than how we dress, it’s all about drawing attention away from ourselves and, for the believer, toward God.
• Being Modest in an Immodest World – It’s not easy to be modest, but seldom are things that are worthwhile easy.  In this case, modesty is obedience to God and His wishes.
• Blue Bra – Mom rule #1: Do not show your bra to the world!  The question is, what’s the penalty, because there are many “young ladies” out there that do.
• Dressing For Church – This woman came to a healthy realization about clothing and dressing for church.  While I still side with the people in #3 who dress up as a way to honor the Lord, I can definitely get fully behind 3-6.
• The Shame of Tolerance – I’ve always said that the culture defines tolerance as accepting that which is like me and that it is intolerant of those that are intolerant.  The same seems to be true of some in the church, where they are intolerant of people that dress modestly (or wear hats), that have multiple children, etc.  As Christians, we need to put others first.
• Modest Clothing – Great Stuff! – Do you like to sew?  Then here’s a great post on a exciting place to find modest clothing.
• And last but not least, this comic:

• Interesting how, for the guy, he is expected to wear a suit, tie, etc, and yet the girl wears something that “you could mail it in a standard business envelope, and still have room for a three-page letter.”  He might think it’s perfect, but it’s definitely not modest.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for August 13th 2011:

• Live Bait – In the old days little girls were taught modesty from infancy, that it was disgraceful to expose the body. The mothers dressed them accordingly, with long sleeves, high necks, sensible length skirts and full length stockings. “Old fashioned,” you say? That is the kind of people that are going to populate Heaven, people who live according to the Word of God; and the Bible says that women should dress in modest apparel.
• Personal Guidelines For Modesty – So understand that when I speak about modesty that I haven’t always been modest.  These days, I cling to modesty, because I know the things that I brought upon myself by professing to the world that I had no boundaries.  The world was more than eager to take me up on that invitation.
• Modesty is a State of Mind – I do not deny that some skirts are too short or that some bathing suits are too revealing, but I question the approach of beginning with restrictions to be followed instead of first challenging our approach to modesty. After all, if we really appreciate and understand the gift of modesty, it seems to me that appropriate clothing would follow.
• Where to Find Modest Swimwear – If you’re hoping to enjoy the water this summer, now is the time to plan and save for your modest swimsuit. If your usual swim outfit is compiled from the racks of stores such as EziBuy, you can be sure that one modest swimsuit will be cheaper than board shorts, rash vest, and bikini pants and tank/bra to go under them.
• 11:43 PM – Late Night Thoughts on Modesty – My dear ladies! Especially my fellow women and SISTERS of Faith…. for the sake of fighting this culture of LUST and DEATH, please dress appropriately!
• Modesty – Clothing doesn’t have to be outdated – To think that all clothes must be revealing to be stylish is ridiculous to me. Pantsuits are modest and with a crisp button down shirt and eye-catching jewelry, they can turn heads just like any other outfit. Maxi dresses are now in style and they offer plenty of coverage. You can add a shirt or shawl if the sleeves reveal too much. You can wear clothes with a pop of color, or you could even wear a nice sweater and jeans. That is still modest and there is nothing wrong with that style of dress.
• Reformed and Immodest – I have heard it said that summer is “stare at the sidewalk” season. I cannot help but agree. Secular culture is driven by sex. And this is the time of year when young women tend dress more immodestly, thus reflecting the culture, and also forcing us young men to keep our heads down. So while we are out and about, whether that be at restaurants, the mall, or at the beach, we are often obligated to shift our eyes elsewhere. That being said, what I have found to be so unfortunate is that this is not solely a secular problem.
• The Tank Dress – This dress was inspired partly by my newfound passion for those one-piece ensembles (I’ve been wearing separates way too much for the past four years or so) and also by one of my favorite summer items – the tank top. When there’s no air-conditioning and the temperature is in the upper nineties, with 100% humidity that makes it feel like one hundred and fifteen (only a slight exaggeration), pretty much the only thing I can stand to wear is shorts and a tank top. Sooo… I decided to take that favorite piece and expand it into something just as comfy and versatile – a tank dress.
• Modest Clothing – Great Stuff! – I’m taking the opportunity to share with you a wonderful place to find great quality and beautiful modest clothing.  I stumbled across the site somewhere along my internet travels and decided to take a chance.  What a blessing it was to find Katie at Katie’s Mercantile!  She is extremely personal and very helpful, taking time to respond to any questions and clarifying details prior to doing any sewing on the order.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for August 6th 2011:

• Modesty – Clothing doesn’t have to be outdated – This girl knew how to do it and she did it right. Her skirts were long, but flowy and colorful. She always had lovely jewelry and cute shoes. She didn’t have to show off her body to look beautiful. I’m sure no one looked at her and thought she was “out-dated.” In all reality, when looking back at your accomplishments in life, the ability to put clothes together well is pretty low on the list.
• The Bikini – What are we teaching our children? Everywhere they go, girls are subjected to about 400 ads per day telling them how they should act or what they should look like (mentioned in the book Porn Nation, which I had reviewed). If we start putting bikinis on our girls when they are babies, what will they want to wear when they are starting to develop breasts and we start tightening up the reigns? How often are we going to hear them beg and beg to have one because their friends have one and let them get away with it? It’s time that you as a parent put your foot down and say, “No.”
• Modesty – Late night thoughts on my switch to being a skirt girl – Skirt girls are by no means more sanctified than trouser gals by virtue of their wearing skirts. Wearing a skirt is not a religious duty, an obligation. Nor should it be. But there is a link between skirt wearing and femininity. I can’t fully explain it, but all ladies who have experienced the delight of wearing skirts know it. Let’s just say, as long as we live on this side of the Jordan, in a fallen world where clothing is a necessity, if you present me with a choice, I’ll go skirt.
• You’re Too Sensitive! – She is tall, slim and beautiful. And instantly I feel “less than.” Her eyes catch mine and I look away before she can smile, sealing myself off from her. I focus on our kids playing Lacrosse together. Fear has snapped my heart shut. I close in on myself, tangled up in that ancient game of Mommy Comparison.  She is slim and I am chubby. She is happy and I am sad. Her life looks so easy and mine is so hard.
• What Are They Thinking?  A Sign of the Times – What in the world are parents thinking when they little their middle to high school daughters put on a bathing suit, stand on the street corner, and try to get customers to fork over some money by dancing and yelling?  Has anyone made the obvious connection of what this looks like? Hasn’t it dawned on anyone that this is not a good step in child development? Granted the cause may be good, but what about the medium and the message? Think about it: you have girls wearing skimpy bathing suits, standing on the street corner trying to get some money?
• The insufferable cruelty of tight jeans (aka, the Tyranny of Discomfort) – I’m tired of trying to shoe-horn myself into tight little jeans. #1 it’s uncomfortable. #2 nobody deserves the punishing view of me overflowing my denim. Come to think of it, I don’t deserve the punishing view of you overflowing your denim, either. But somehow, we’ve all decided that smashing ourselves into jeans is really pretty awesome.  This needs to stop. I mean, at what age is it OK for a woman to stop warring with her womanly curves? I’m dead weary of fighting my curves. Sometimes, wearing jeans just feels like such a cruel thing to do to my childbearing hips.
• Reformed and Immodest – I have heard it said that summer is “stare at the sidewalk” season. I cannot help but agree. Secular culture is driven by sex. And this is the time of year when young women tend dress more immodestly, thus reflecting the culture, and also forcing us young men to keep our heads down. So while we are out and about, whether that be at restaurants, the mall, or at the beach, we are often obligated to shift our eyes elsewhere. That being said, what I have found to be so unfortunate is that this is not solely a secular problem.
• Lust: Not for Men Only – [F]or years most churches herded the men off to talk about lust, while gathering the women to discuss modesty. While those are valid and much needed messages, they are incomplete for the culture in which we now live.
• Call Me a Prude – I went grocery shopping with Kate the other day.  She enjoys Go Gurt, so when I found some reduced to half price, I bought them, even though they had a Sponge Bob picture on them.  I am not part of his fan club, and I am even less so today.  I thought we were picking up strawberry and blueberry yogurt.  Come to find out the blueberry is called “bikini bottom berry”.  What is up with that???  Now, Kate can’t yet read much, so no biggie there.  But this mom is sick to death of anatomical humor.
• Ranting on About Immodesty – I live about as far down South as you can live without living in Florida. It’s hot down here. Really, really hot. Sadly, because it is so hot, many folks feel a need to disrobe themselves and show off most everything they have. That’s sad for them and sad for me (as well as for other folks who are then forced to see what many would rather not).

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for April 9th 2011:

• Dress Code – It is so inconsiderate and selfish to flaunt ourselves with the attitude of “You are responsible for where you put your eyes, don’t you dare look at me, even though I am dressed like a loose woman.” Or will we let our stubborn, attention-seeking will dominate how we cover (more like uncover) our bodies.
• Dressing with Dignity – Besides just affecting us, the way we dress also affects those around us. For example, a 16-year-old girl decides to wear a tight shirt and a mini skirt to attract the attention of a cute boy in her class. She does not realize however, that her 45-year-old teacher who is married with three children, notices her promiscuity and becomes tempted to lust after her. Also, the fifth-grade, hormone-crazed boy decides to stare too long at her while she walks in the hall.
• A Look in the Mirror – When we make an appeal with our dress, we are asking for attention from others.  We want them to notice us.  We want to appear at an advantage over others, enough to be noticed.  Does God want us to be noticed in this way?
• Modesty – What does dressing to "show off" do to a woman and to those around her?  It tells people she doesn’t respect herself enough to cover up what’s only for her and her husband.  It invites men to have a look (i.e. lust).  It creates pride that she can show off her good body.  It brings the focus to herself, and how she looks.
• Lowering the Hem – I’m sure that our parents had the same difficulties with us.  I suppose the fashions of the 60′s with the mini skirts and 70′s with the halters drove them nuts.  It just seems to me that clothes keep getting more and more revealing.  There is something very wrong about sexualizing our little girls.  I have two boys as well.  I’m sure that it becomes more and more difficult for young men to have pure thoughts and exercise self-control when they are bombarded by “it” everywhere they turn.
• Deep Thoughts Today – As young or old women in this culture we truly lack role models of modesty and this may make it difficult to find the line in your life that the Lord is calling you to uphold. But trust that you are His and He will give you peace and a release to wear things and express yourself in Him. He does need to be the one you are reflecting and if you have any doubts then just change.
• Pleased to meet you AND…modest clothing for tropical climates? (really could use some ideas) – I thought it would be easy to just find some calf to ankle length sundresses but…I was WRONG. I have spent quite some time looking for clothes that do not draw attention to myself. Just as I keep my hair up and nobody but my husband has any clue as to it’s length, I don’t want to advertise my shape.
• Should We Let the Show Go On? (Part 2) – Some practical tips to remain modest during a theatrical production.
• What’s modest in women’s swimwear – “The way you dress sends messages about yourself to others and often influences the way you and others act; you should dress in such a way as to bring out the best in yourself and those around you,” the website states.
• How to Be Immodest About Modesty – Corita brought up an interesting idea:  we can behave immodestly while discussing modesty.  I realize that I’m pretty much doing this right now by writing my third straight post about the topic, so—I don’t know, pray for me.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for June 25th 2011:

• Womanly Dignity – By dressing modestly we show others the dignity that women inherently are given by God. We demand more than the attention that our bodily appearance gives on its own. We challenge others to love us for who we are, rather than for what we look like.
• Modesty 100 years ago – A beach on the New Jersey shore in 1908.
• Bible Topics that Christians Don’t Talk About – Wesbters online dictionary defines modesty as ‘propriety in dress, speech, or conduct.’ But we most often define it by dress. People will excuse colorful language and even conduct.
• Another Step in the Direction of Shamelessness – Frankly, women dressing to display godliness and modesty is the last thing we would expect in most movies today.  Sadly, the same observation can be made about the real-life world around us. There seems to be much more interest in being shocking, daring, and sensual than in projecting the image of wholesomeness.  Realistically, I do not know what Christians can do to change that in the short term future.
• How to Steward Beauty or – Moving Beyond Modesty – It occurred to me (and “it” was accompanied with some frustration) that for all we Christians go off about dressing modestly and not causing one another to stumble (and these are important lessons!) we kind of ignore the reality that God gave us our beauty and our outward appearances as gifts–talents, resources if you will–to be stewarded as all things for His kingdom.
• Modesty is a Foreign Concept – The world has no concept of modesty. They wear as little as the law will allow.  After an hour in Wal-Mart today, I was exhausted from seeing so much immodesty that I posted on  Facebook, “Just say no to cleavage! Stop assaulting the public!” I thought my followers on  Twitter needed to hear this, as well. I lost six followers on Twitter, as a result. That is not surprising. People do not want to hear such things.
• Miss.Elaini.ous!!! [interview with a woman making a difference] – Elaini is 23 years old today and lives in “the beautiful yet rainy state of Oregon”, she says!  She decided to wear the same dress every day for 100 days while trying to raise $50,000 for orphans in India (text ORPHAN to 52000 to donate $10). I asked her to participate in an interview so she can explain more about who she is and why she is doing what she is doing.
• Hello My Name Is: – The greatest downfall of immodesty is not that it reveals too much, but that it reveals too little. A mini-skirt and tank top do not do justice to the intelligent, beautiful, prayerful young woman who wears them. Skin tight jeans keep relationships on the surface, where standards are as low cut as the waistband – modest clothes drive relationships deep into the heart, where only the brave and the valiant dare to venture.
• Fast Girls – If you are so unfortunate as to be a combatant in the weird and unseemly world of Catholic Skirt Wars, perhaps you have seen the story about the high school girls’ track team that performed better when they ditched their skin-tight uniforms for skorts.
• Should We Let the Show Go On? (Part 1) – For much of known history, theatre productions have been synonymous with immodesty. There’s no good reason for this, so I was delighted to witness a production that paid great attention to modesty, ensuring that all cast members, especially the girls, were modestly covered and yet still had freedom of movement for their active roles.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for June 18th 2011:

• Modesty Empowers Women – Immodesty disempowers women. When women dress respectfully, they are given respect. Dressing modestly communicates to others that one deserves to be treated as a person with a mind and a strong sense of self.
• Christians and Modesty – Why do so many Christian women seem to not care about modesty at all? Why do Christian women tend to fit in with the world and make excuses for their way of dress? Aren’t we supposed to be more concerned for our brothers in the Lord?
• The Joys of Jean Shorts – When you have a teenage daughter who strives to dress modestly, it is truly a joy to be a parent.  Why?  Because she gets it.  She understands her responsibility to dress in a way which glorifies God, for one.  But also she understands that the attention she gets or doesn’t get lies with her.
• Babikinis: How young is too young? – Bathing suits have evolved over time, growing increasingly immodest since their arrival. They have seemingly gotten smaller and smaller — and the makers of these shrinking suits have been targeting younger and younger girls.  But infants in leopard print? Now it’s not just the suits that are itsy-bitsy and teenie-weenie — but who’s inside them.
• Skinny Jeans, a little too revealing – Skinny jeans leave nothing to the imagination.  Nothing at all.  Just like their fashion cousin the legging, skinny jeans are all about revelation.
• A Model on a Mission for Modesty – When professional model Rachel Lee Carter became a believer, her understanding of the importance of modesty took time to develop. She shared the following story with Covenant Eyes…
• Modesty, Purity and the Glory of God, 1 Timothy 2:9 – The world would have you think, “shake what your momma gave you”, or “if you got it, flaunt it”.  Where is that even remotely hinted in scripture?
• Summertime Modesty: Not Impossible! – Modest dressing is easy enough to do in the wintertime; especially if you live in chillier climates but come summertime, it seems as if all sensibilities kind of go out of the window! Yes, summer is hot but that’s no excuse to stop dressing modestly, if that is your goal.
• “Tell Her Mama!” – Since that time, I have been repulsed and shocked by the images of women in barely there bikinis that flaunt around the pool. There’s no age limit to the madness. Young girls just beginning to blossom are wearing bathing suits that attract the eyes of grown men. Mature women are leaving nothing (and I mean nothing) to the imagination. And even women who have no business whatsoever wearing a teeny bikini are cramming themselves into something that shows off parts of their body that make you wonder, “do they own a mirror?”
• The Male Perspective on Female Modesty – What do guys really tend to think? I recently gave a youth lesson on modesty (male and female). I received a much better response from the guys (who thanked me a lot) than from the girls, because it seemed they liked that I informed the girls about what really goes on in their minds when they see girls dressed immodestly.  They have a very difficult time focusing on their goals or living for Christ if all around them are distractions of what our society worships and glorifies: the sexuality of the body.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for June 11th 2011:

• She chooses to wear that? – Krystal was 7 at the time and when Fergie came out in a skin tight leather top and matching bootie shorts with 9 inch long fingernails she was surprised!  She could not believe what she was wearing.  Krystal leaned over and in a soft voice whispers in my ear, “Mom, I think she forgot her pants.”
• If Your Pockets Are Longer Than Your Shorts, That’s Probably a Bad Sign – Recently, I saw a girl walking around and her pockets were longer than her shorts. These were not abnormally long pockets, just your typical hip pocket. Her shorts were shorter than her pockets. I found it absolutely ridiculous. Also, her butt was hanging out of the back of her shorts. Literally. But cheek. Completely exposed. In public. Call me a prude, but I think that’s gross. I will admit I have worn shorts that are not the perfectly modest length, but I don’t understand how you can walk around with your butt literally hanging out.
• SPF vs. Good Ol’ Fashioned Clothes – The last straw for the diatribe rehashed by yours truly, came this morning with the new advertisement featuring the likes of Meghan McCain, Brandi, and some other B and C-list celebrities stripping down to promote skin cancer awareness. COME ON!!!! Are you kidding me???!! Seeing their naked derrières is not going to prompt me to put SPF on anything!  Here’s an idea! Why don’t you put some clothes ON and then your butt won’t get burnt!!!
• Feminism vs. Modesty – Feminism has affected the way we think — even the way we dress. Did you know that the lack of clothes we see women wear today is an effect of feminism?
• Women Practice Wearing Modest Clothing – Teachings of different religions also vary because they impose different rules on how people should dress. But dressing modestly may be an individual’s choice as well and it does not matter what their religion or cultural background is because it is not only the Muslim women who can do so. I guess it is important that [even] as young as teenagers are taught how to dress appropriately in today’s world.
• Something as Simple as My Wardrobe – This project has fueled some interesting debates about morality and modesty, and how modesty is a fluid concept. My older family members see a young girl who has grown into a confident woman, but I see this project as a way to reconcile my bicultural identities in something as simple as my wardrobe. It’s a way to exist more comfortably in this body, in this skin and with these looks, undictated [sic] by magazines or TV shows.
• Modesty – Why You Rarely See a Mormon’s Shoulders – Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”
• Modest Solution – Wear a Vintage Dress – One of the easiest modest solutions that I use on a frequent basis is wearing a vintage dress. I’m a sucker for prints (the brighter the better) and in your face color. Whenever I need a dose of color in my life I head to the nearest Salvation Army; my nearest Sally’s happens to be 30 minutes away.
• How To Make Teenagers Dress Decently – It’s critical to pay attention to the message and the signal our clothing is sending and to make sure, very sure, that the message is in line with the Word of God. If style & type of clothing is something you’re wrestling over in your mind, or if you’re feeling convicted about dress, and what in this world should a Christian woman be wearing, then pray, discuss these things with your husband. Many will have ideas and convictions about what *you* should wear, but what matters most is what is acceptable to the public.
• A Letter to My Sisters On Modesty – Immodesty, like most forms of sin, is rarely spoken of today. Freedom to do as one pleases is the benchmark of the American church; freedom to dress as we please naturally follows for many women.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for June 4th 2011:

• Modesty – Now, I’m all for modesty, I think that it’s great and we should help our Christian brothers etc etc etc.  But I did not like this video at all. In addition to the annoying narration, the message I got was “we men are in an epic battle against temptation and you women are bringing us down. Change.” Now that message is not what bothered me, it is partly true, although I do not think the blame can all be cast on women.
• Finding Modest Sundresses – I wanted to show you some examples of how you can find modest sundresses and how you can make immodest sundresses modest! I’ll start with a way to make immodest sundresses more modest though!
• Modesty: Entering The Fray – The immodesty of the younger generations is decried by many yet how many are willing to walk into the fray and do something about it? Where are those who are willing to be laughed at or to be accused of legalism in order to address it? Are you? Am I? There is a desperate need in the church today for godly men and women to be willing to speak the truth about this issue in love. Most aren’t. What we fail to understand is this: by failing to speak about immodesty, by pretending it isn’t an important issue (or that we are somehow infringing on other’s rights by addressing it), we are speaking very loudly about it. Very loudly, indeed, and our silence is heard in hell.
• Dressing like a Pilgrim – My main question is, how do you find your balance? When I see women wearing “pilgrim clothes” or “prairie dresses”, I don’t think, “Wow-I wonder what church they’re with-I want to join!”, but I also know immediately that they’re either time-travelers or from a group of very conservative Christians. I sometimes wonder what MY dress says about me. I have found my balance in dressing in ways that don’t bring “unnecessary attention” to my “assets”, of which there are a few prominent examples, but at the same time dressing in a way that is flattering and that pleases my wonderful hubby.
• How your daughter dresses matters – I hope that one day when I have a daughter, I will be able to be strong enough to model modesty to her, even if it means she’s not popular. Because my children are worth that.
• Modeling career takes a spiritual turn – When Leah Darrow was growing up, her family went to church on Sundays and said the rosary every night. But, she said, her faith and life got fuzzy, and she didn’t understand she truly was loved.
• What is Appropriate Clothing? – God must be glorified, We must be modest, and We must not cause others to stumble
• The mystery of modesty – The power of modesty lies in mystery. When you don’t put everything out on display like the sample table at Costco, a man has to actually work to gain access, to your heart as well as your body. And there’s something in the masculine spirit that really likes this. He wants to rise to the challenge. The result is a love story not built on cheap thrills, but on a real desire to win your heart. And when he succeeds, puts a ring on your finger, and swears before God to be only yours till death do you part, the rewards that follow can be breathtakingly passionate. Pure and unspoiled.
• The Theology of Modesty – A woman who loudly proclaims her “right” to dress as she pleases, proves herself to be carnal. A godly woman who realizes she has no “rights” will seek to please the One Who has, by His death in her behalf, saved her; her clothing will show her allegiance to her Lord and her care and concern for her Christian brothers. She will do nothing that will not honor God or that will cause hindrance to her fellow pilgrims.
• Unapologetic Overprotective Dad on the Loose – The world has seemingly gone mad about sex.  Between the stories about a clothing company that sells “push up” tops to kids my daughter’s age(which I won’t even bother to link to), and the continuing stories about kids who are “sexting” at younger and younger ages, I am about ready to throw up.

If you’d like to get in next week, just contact us through the Contact Form and give us a link to your article. Carnivals are posted every Saturday!

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for May 21st 2011:

• Enthralled With Your Beauty – There I was in the Kohl’s dressing room, standing in front of the mirror and crying. I’m not generally a really superficial person when it comes to appearances, but I’m like every other woman in the world: I like to look pretty. And at that moment in time, I didn’t think I did. Not even a little bit.
• What About Boys? – A recent article of mine ("The Real Power of Dress") discussed the illusory power of girls’ clothing and the real strength we can teach our daughters. Commentary was generally favorable but one reader’s question really caught my eye. “What about the boys?” she asked. This is an incredibly valid question and it cuts to the heart of misconceptions about the Jewish concept of tzniyus, which is commonly (but incompletely) translated as “modesty.”
• “So why do we wear clothes again??” – So it seems what’s okay in some societies is not acceptable in some other societies and the rules change with times, all the time. Most societies seem to accept and rigidly follow their current – generally unwritten norms.
• Do your daughters dress sexy? – It’s pretty hard to find clothes that aren’t somehow provocative for teenage (and even pre-teen) girls these days with clothes ranging from super short or skin-tight to barely-there shirts. And although I decried the comeback of leggings, I’m at least glad girls are putting something on under their micro-miniskirts.
• More Bonnets, Modern and Historic – The bonnet is a Plain woman’s declaration of her Plainness, I think. The bonnet is practical (keeps the head warm in winter, shaded in summer); is historically referenced (as this photo attests – and it seems this Quaker lady was making a statement with her bonnet) ; and is decidedly feminine (barring that the tocque Scotsmen wear is called a bonnet, but of a very different shape and decidedly masculine).
• Pushing the Limits On Modesty – It is great to see faithful Christian ladies who are concerned about dressing modestly. You see them layering their clothing to hide cleavage or making sure the clothes are not too tight before purchasing them. It doesn’t happen often but any time I overhear a teenager in the fitting room asking if something is too tight, short or low I smile. But I have noticed a new trend when it comes to women’s dress today – leggings.
• 05/02/11 – Modesty – So I started noticing the plunging necklines and all the cleavage that was all around me, around them! Not just them, but I have a husband who doesn’t need to see other women’s boobs. Ladies, when you look in the mirror, if you see your boobs, other people see your boobs. If you’re in a low cut top and bend over in front of mirror and see boobs, others will see your boobs.
• To Bikini or Not to Bikini – That is the question, yo! – “Mom, I’m the only one wearing a one-piece,” my oldest daughter told me yesterday after attending a friend’s swim party. “Everyone else is wearing bikinis!”
• Why I Don’t Make Rules About Modesty For My Daughters – But here’s the thing: the problem with rules is that they tend to beget more rules. And nothing breeds rules faster than rules for modesty. No sooner do you suggest tight shirts as immodest than someone is bound to ask: how tight is too tight? Or, how short is too short? Pretty soon you’re creating complex protocol for skirt lengths, bra types and factors for determining tightness.
• Fit for a princess – A royal wedding dress is a ceremonial piece, a miracle of artistry and engineering. This is no time to show restraint, yet it must be modest. The dress must impress with its sheer size — a train of less than five metres in length would probably be a public disappointment. It must look good from the back ­because during much of the wedding ceremony, the bride’s back will be turned to the congregation.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for May 7th 2011:

• Michelle Williams Enjoyed Wearing Toilet Dresses – She told Interview magazine: “It’s like wearing blinders, really. But again, the lack of privacy on the trail almost created a sense of privacy when there is none. Zoe Kazan and I became close during the movie, and we missed our bonnets. I missed the whole thing. There were two Winnebagos that housed hair and make-up, wardrobe, ADs, changing, everything … and we’d take our dresses off at night and I’d catch a glimpse of Zoe’s ankle, and it became like pornography. When you’re covered from head to toe all day long, you’re not used to the sight of skin, and I would sort of avert my eyes because I’d feel like I was seeing something inappropriate.”
• Immodest Clothing – I am in a difficult position… i attend Holy Mass during the week and see very often a person who is dressed highly inappropiatley[sic] to step foot in Church and anywhere for that matter…i also know that this person goes to Mass every Sunday and therefore should understand and respect Church teaching…in saying this…how do i talk to her about what she wears without not being prudent…i feel as though anyway i come in contact with her to mention what she is wearing she will seem like i am attacking her and will simply disregard it…the situation i am in is that this person doesnt[sic] know me and i dont[sic] know her only by face we know eachother[sic]…therefore what would be a sensible way and being prudent so she doesnt[sic] take offence so i can tell her what she is wearing is disrespectful ?
• The Reason For Modesty – Jesus did not die in agony upon Calvary’s cross to dress His beloved bride like a harlot. He did not. His enemies stripped Him in public to shame Him. Professing Christian women today expose themselves voluntarily without shame, in skimpy clothing, short skirts, swim wear, low-cut tops, obscenely tight clothing and pants.
• Male Modesty – What is immodest about a guy to you? If there is something in how he dresses that you consider immodest, do you think it can distract you or cause you to lust after him?
• The Online World of Female Desire – One of our most interesting findings was that women are very different from men in how they use these online services. All across the planet, what most women seek out, in growing numbers, are not explicit scenes of sexual activity but character-driven stories of romantic relationships.
• Rick Holland on What A Girl’s Clothing Says – Your clothes are a loud, maybe the loudest, announcement of your theology. When you wear something, you’re telling people what you believe about God, what you believe about purity, what you believe about holiness, what you believe about men, what you believe about pride, what you believe about clothing and what you believe about nakedness.
• Are skirts or jeans more modest for women to wear? – For the ladies, I think the first concern is the functional scenario. If the woman is going to be exercising or playing a sport, then I recommend long just-above-the-knee dress shorts with pleats. Those are pretty modest but still provide full movement. Actually, there are these things called skorts that are actually shorts that look like skirts. Those are REALLY modest if you get them in a long enough length – like just above the knee.
• Modesty and temptation.  Who’s the responsible party? – Look, on a normal basis, I am fairly covered-up. Still, I know there are times when I can be a little more covered-up. I will strive to be even more mindful of my apparel on a day to day basis. However, if I showed up to the beach wearing a bathing suit, would you blame me for causing a man to lust?

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for April 30th 2011:

• The Spirit of Modesty – Traditional Jewish attitudes toward modesty are a complicated thing to discuss, and that complication is compounded by the fact that they appear at first glance to be quite straightforward.
• Six Simple Modesty Solutions – So what’s a girl to do? Wear a shapeless potato sack? I think not. We serve a God who loves creativity and beauty. Just look around you at the beautiful, artistic qualities of nature. I think being attractive and creative in our clothing and modesty is one way we can reflect these traits.
• Why being a “Guardian of Virtue” is a terrible metaphor – It is because she uses the term “Guardian” and the verb guard throughout the talk to describe what young women (and, I assume, young men (and, I assume, older folk)) should do with their virtue. To guard is to prevent theft or escape. That’s pretty much it. So, our young folk are being told, via this metaphor, that they have a finite amount of virtue and that they can only lose it. That doesn’t strike me as helpful.
• The Feminist and the Man-Boy – But masculinity and femininity are not purposes unto themselves. While woman was designed to function as the perfect helper for man, the purpose of woman is not man. The purpose of femininity is not to encourage or promote masculinity. The purpose of femininity is not to be a submissive helpmeet.  God’s purpose for femininity is much greater – our purpose is the Gospel.
• Girls: Keep Your Clothes On – Spring is here and Summer isn’t far behind. As coolish days give rise to hot ones women will once again start shedding their clothes in the name of freedom. I guess that I ought to be used to this by now but it still bothers me. I don’t want to see the undressed bodies of girls I don’t even know and I sure don’t want my sons seeing them.
• Dressing Like a Pilgrim – My main question is, how do you find your balance? When I see women wearing “pilgrim clothes” or “prairie dresses”, I don’t think, “Wow-I wonder what church they’re with-I want to join!”, but I also know immediately that they’re either time-travelers or from a group of very conservative Christians.
• Under Attack – Our children are under attack.  And don’t think that if you just have boys that this isn’t just as serious an issue for you.  Boys are certainly also impacted negatively by the premature sexualizing of young girls.
• Modesty and the Intent of the Heart – How does a woman discern the sometimes fine line between proper dress and dressing to be the center of attention? The answer starts in the intent of the heart.
• Prostitots? – At some point a few years ago, someone coined the phrase, prostitot. As you may have figured out, the word is a combination of “prostitute” and “toddler.” It refers to young girls dressing like older girls, but not in appropriate ways. More often than not it is meant to refer to middle school girls who dress like 21 year olds out to “hook up.”
• Finding Modest Sundresses – Sundresses will never go out of style because they are so comfortable to wear in the warmer weather! You see women & girls wearing them every year wherever you go!
• Modesty: Entering The Fray – “Why do you always harp on modesty?” is a question I’ve been asked more than once. It’s the wrong question to ask so I won’t take the time to answer it. A more proper question would be, “Are you, by your daily choices, honoring God in all that you do?”

 

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Post tags: feminism, fray, pilgrim, prostitots, solutions, spirit, sundresses

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for April 23th 2011:

• Fashion and Following the Savior by Janelle Bradshaw – So what do your clothes say about your heart? What would we discover if we met your closet before we met you?  Do your clothes reveal a heart of modesty and self-control?
• Modesty – A true poem on modesty.
• Young lady, I’m talking to you by Dan Phillips – Temperatures are rising, hem lines are drawing closer to each other (lower on the top, higher on the bottom), and material-density is decreasing.  If only I were talking about the world, of whom we’d all expect it. I’m not.
• Why Dress Modestly? (via Handmaid of the Lord) – If a young lady wishes to marry one day the man she always dreamed of, she might be willing to change the way she dresses in order to keep herself pure for him (Proverbs 31:12). If a young lady has chosen to save herself for one man on the whole earth, he must be the sort of man who is honorable, able to be fully trusted, one you could pour your whole heart out to and know your secrets won’t ever leave him. This sort of man would have made a covenant with his eyes not to look on a woman to lust after her beauty.
• How to Turn Immodest –> Modest – How do we maintain our sense of propriety while enjoying the latest fashion trends?  We get creative!  We improvise!  We challenge these pieces by adding extra layers to create fresh, fun, and appropriate styles that make us feel comfortable.  Listed below, are a few tips on sprucing up your Spring wardrobe with some easy to wear outfits created by pieces that would be considered inappropriate.
• American Church Undressed by Nicholas Jackson – Modesty is not something that is very often mentioned in church anymore. This has become evident when the girl sitting in the next pew is imitating the attire or lack thereof of Britney Spears, and girls at Christian concerts wear skin tight T-shirts emblazoned with the words “I like Christian Boys.” Essentially, many are trying to be their child’s friend instead of their parent, and we are afraid of offending the flock.
• Modesty… Oh Where Have You Gone? – Let me begin by saying I don’t consider  myself a legalist in the area of modesty but I am conservative and probably somewhat “old-fashioned.” I am not of the mindset that we should all grow our hair down to our ankles nor do I believe all women should wear frumpy skirts. If one chooses to have long hair and wear dresses that is fine of course… but it is not a requirement to be holy or modest.
• Does What I Wear Matter To God?  by Wendy Gunn – But, think, Christian women!  Should we who are the temple of the Holy Spirit look like a temple of prostitution?  Should Christian men not be safe in our presence?!  If we are to be holy, even as God is holy, should we tempt our brothers to sin by wearing immodest, or tight-fitting clothing?  Should we or our daughters, who young girls look up to as examples of Godliness in dress and behavior, cause them to go astray?
• Love and Modesty – All of this makes me wonder….is modesty no longer in fashion? Was it just a 1950’s term my mother used when she thought my hemline was too short? Or is there a legitimate need for women to be modest today? And what is the motivation behind it all?
• Modesty and temptation.  Who’s the responsible party? – I just watched a video that was posted by this ministry that I am following. It was a video on the issue of women dressing modestly. While I empathize with and respect the heartfelt struggle that many men of the church face when it comes to avoiding temptation and lust, as a woman, part of me reels from frustration.
• The Truth About Men and Modesty – What exactly is immodest?  That may deserve another post, but rather than a list of guidelines, it’s probably best to just think about the messages above and the kinds of men you want to attract, and if you have to, go ask your father if what you’re wearing is immodest.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for April 9th 2011:

• The Theology of Modesty « The Cross Is All
• God Knows Best about Sex and Modesty Too « Jeofurry’s Jesus Journey
• Modeling modesty at the beach « Radical Discipleship – One-piece suits obviously cover more, but we should note, a one-piece doesn’t guarantee modesty. If it has a plunging, revealing neckline or Rio-cut back, it can actually be racier than a two-piece suit. But is it possible to wear a modest two-piece bathing suit? I believe that it is—but it’s tricky. If the swimsuit is at least three finger-widths thick on the hips and covers your bottom and cleavage entirely, I would suggest it is modest. Because of my long frame, a tankini works perfectly for me. I am able to swim, play volleyball and football, or jog on the beach comfortably while still maintaining modesty.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for March 28th from 14:43 to 15:07:

• The Woman in the Sundress « Whatsoever Things Are True – Men love to look at women. This is nothing new. When a woman dresses in a sensual way, leaving nothing to the imagination, we notice. Big Time. If a woman is looking to get a man’s attention, this will absolutely work. The kind of attention she is getting, however, is not the kind of attention I want my daughter or my wife getting from men. I know what men are like, and I know how men think. I can guarantee that a guy is not looking at a woman dressed with everything hanging out and hoping to discuss the virtues of Mother Theresa and her Sisters of Mercy in Calcutta. Ladies, you know it. Don’t fool yourselves.
• Dress Properly | Come Fill Your Cup – There seems to be no concern for modest apparel in today’s world. However, even sadder is the lack of concern for modesty among members of the church! Do commands from God not apply to women today? Certainly they are for women today! God’s commands do not change to fit worldly standards! There is no variation or shadow of turning with God the Father (see James 1:17). Christians must realize that all commandments in the New Testament are to be obeyed today!
• What is Modesty? | The Body Theologic – Rather, modesty is the virtue of not drawing undue attention to oneself. You may have noticed that this definition doesn’t say anything about clothing at all. That’s because the virtue of modesty is both less restrictive and more demanding than the arbitrary standards people like to impose.
• Keep Your Clothes On « The Cross Is All – Spring is here and Summer isn’t far behind. As coolish days give rise to hot ones women will once again start shedding their clothes in the name of freedom. I guess that I ought to be used to this by now but it still bothers me. I don’t want to see the undressed bodies of girls I don’t even know and I sure don’t want my sons seeing them.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for March 26th 2011:

• Why Do We Let Girls Dress Like That? – WSJ.com – An interesting article from a mainstream source on modesty.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for March 19th 2011:

• Be a Rebel « Jaclyn Rae’s Blog – You may not know this, but I’ve always been a rebel. I was a rebel when I didn’t own a 2 piece bathing suit in high school. I was a rebel when I didn’t kiss boys on the first, second, or third date. I was a rebel when I committed to remain abstinent until marriage. Most of my peers will not agree with this statement, but I’m going to claim it anyway:
• Modesty: An Issue Of The Heart (via The Stay At Home Missionary) | Modesty: The Forgotten Virtue – Now, I realize that we have many different standards regarding modesty. But modesty is so much more than choosing to wear a one-piece swimsuit or a long skirt. Modesty is an issue of the heart. I had to get real with the Lord, desiring to serve him in every area of my life! I learned that my outward appearance should merely be a reflection of what Christ is doing on the inside… Do I still try to look pretty for my husband, have fun with putting my wardrobe together, and take care of my physical body? Of course; but my standards have changed.
• Modesty: The Attitude of the Modest Woman (pt. 2) by C. J. Mahaney | Modesty: The Forgotten Virtue – Any biblical discussion of modesty begins by addressing the heart, not the hemline. We must start with the attitude of the modest woman.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for March 12th 2011:

• arloandjanis.com » Body language -Another cute cartoon that captures a bit about modesty.
• Tea Collection-Beautiful Clothing & a Giveaway | Lizzy Dear’s Life – Looking for a giveaway?
• Trendy little girls clothing (giveaway) | My Busy Children – How about a little girls clothing giveaway?
• what NOT to wear « rachellealyse – Women should not need short skirts and revealing tops to receive attention, from men or otherwise. It’s ironic: we go through life wondering why society does not allow us equal opportunity, why the media continues to push “sexy” as being half-naked and bimbo blonde, why women must work twice as hard as men to make it in big business; but, we never stop and ask ourselves, how am I contributing to and encouraging this oppression? How am I selling myself short?
• The Modesty Manifesto – NYTimes.com

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for March 5th 2011:

• Skirt Sports | Women’s activewear, running, cycling, triathlon, fitness, golf, tennis and workout clothes
• The Power of Modesty « thatgoodpart – In the for strength of youth, we read, “Prophets of God have always counseled His children to dress modestly.” – ALWAYS – This advice isn’t something new
• The Modest Oscars | Ruby-Eyed Okapi – It is always so hard to find any modest outfits worn at the oscars ever. However, surprisingly enough there were quite a few this year. I chose some of my favorite modest outfits from this year’s Oscars to present to you! What do you think of them? Which is your favorite and why?

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Welcome to the Carnival of Modesty for February 26th 2011:

• The “O” In HOT « Awaiting Epiteleo – Read @15-16 & @62-65 – We see three major character qualities in Rebekah

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