First, the lotions they offer are AMAZING. I got two different ones to review. The Lavender Calm Lotion is my favorite. It smells incredibly good. The lavender fragrance also has the benefit of the calming. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue, rather a refreshing soft feel. The Holistic Honey Body Lotion did a great job at moistening my skin. It has a sweet smell to it. The reason I preferred the Lavender Calm Lotion of this is because I thought this lotion left a greasy feel to my skin after applying. I also liked the Lavender’s smell better.

Second, the Tea + Protein Herbal Shampoo and Peppermint Herbal Conditioner are a great way to clean your hair without the added chemicals is most shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo did a good job lathering up and cleaning.  The bottle says adds proteins which help to strengthen your hair. I liked the smell and the cool feel the Peppermint Herbal Conditioner gave afterwards. I really appreciated products like these that are good and safe ways to clean your body.

Thirdly, the Green Tea Toxin Cleanser is wonderful. You apply it to a dry face and let it soak in for three minutes the rinse it off. That’s all it takes and your skin will feel refreshing and clear, almost like it is “breathing” better! I love this stuff. It is the best toxin cleaner out there I have found!

The fourth product is Olive Night Creme. This is my second favorite product so far that I have tried. I put this on before bed and whenever my face felt dry. It is a great deep moisturizer. It leaves your skin feeling healthy and moist.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with the company’s products. They do what they claim and more importantly are healthy and safe to use. Check in next week for three more great products reviews!

© VirtuousBlonde for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: cleanser, conditioner, creme, lotion, natural, shampoo

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When we were first married, we had a dusty old vacuum cleaner—nothing like the modern HEPA filter vacuum cleaners you can get today.  With that cleaner, every time you vacuumed the house you’d find that you could hardly breathe.  And taking in that much dust—it can’t be good for you.

It reminds me a lot of the stuff that we permit to enter our minds and hearts on a daily basis.

As important as it is to keep our outsides pure and modest, it is important to make sure that we are clean all the way around. That means that we should be taking care to put in to our bodies as well as making sure that the things around us have a testimony that is pleasing to God and hospitable to others.

This year we’ve been attempting to focus more on what is coming into our lives and through that focus I’ve been thinking more about what we let into our bodies.  What is it that we spend time watching?  What are we passionate about researching?  Where does our spare money and time go?

It’s just like things we would find in our house or our kitchen.  Whether it’s air purifiers, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners or dehumidifiers, we want our air clean, pure and moist.  We want to filter out any allergens and make sure that we can breath.

When it comes to what we drink, we put in water filters, use juicers and blenders to make sure that we only get the best to drink.  (Crazy thing that just a few generations ago water had color!)

When it comes to our minds, however, we’re often much more lenient about what we put in, and we don’t always filter it.  I believe that a lot of the immodesty that we see today comes from feasting on immodesty in our entertainment.  It’s not a reason, but an excuse.

So how is your inside?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: inside, lives, modesty, purity

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I hope that you never have a skin problem.  At one point in time, I did, and for that, I had to see a dermatologist.  Of course where I went was nothing like what you’d find at www.californiaskininstitute.com/, but all the same it’s nice to have a skin doctor happy.

In my case, I had a couple of growths on my back that my doctor was worried about.  So worried, that he decided to remove them.

It was professionally done, and for the longest time most shots didn’t bother me because the feeling of Novocain being put at the sites was pretty intense compared to the normal shot.

I don’t say all of this to scare you!  What I’m saying is that we need to make sure that we take care of the skin that we’re in.

For example, while getting some sun light is a good thing, using a tanning bed to try to get your skin the perfect color will end up not only harming your skin, but microwaving your insides.  Somehow treating my internal organs like popcorn doesn’t exactly sound like a wise thing to be doing.

And then there’s growths like I had, that you will need a doctor to make sure they are not suspicious.

One of the harder things to keep track of are warts.  They aren’t just for witches, and I’ve had one on my hand when I was in college that was difficult to remove.

Now, while we shouldn’t be parading our skin around for others to see, we should also be taking care of it, as it’s part of the body that God has given us to use for His glory.  We should be eating right and exercising, and we should also be doing what we can to keep healthy for the task at hand.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: dermatology, skin

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It is kind of the same way with jewelry.  At www.georgianjewelry.com you can find a lot of different antique and vintage jewelry—beautiful pieces that you may enjoy!

Something that has been in the family or has an older style can come back into popularity, and you could find that the heirloom may be in style—or has inspired a style.

There are simply beautiful necklaces and rings.  One of the types of jewelry I’ve purchased before is a locket, and I think this is a neat piece of jewelry for a younger girl.  It’s something that they can wear around their heart, and keep pictures of mom and dad in.  That is who you keep in a locket, right?

How many of you have an heirloom ring?  I don’t believe there is even one in my family if I had wanted to give one to my wife.  What if you could find a vintage piece that would have the look of an heirloom, and be something that you could pass down to the next generation?

The point is, there are many places that you can get jewelry, and there are places that will make you something new, if you’re clever enough to come up with something on your own.  So why not take advantage of vintage jewelry, since it’s something that may surprise you and you may find that unique thing that you’ll really like.

Though the Bible is clear that our outward adornment is not the priority, and we should not seek to glorify the external, it does not outright condemn jewelry.  Therefore, I find that simple jewelry that does not attract too much attention is fine, and fitting beauty.

What is your opinion on jewelry?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: jewelry, vintage

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When you look at the smile on the girl to the right, what do you see?

Yes, for those of us with bad teeth, our options were limited growing up.  You could have a mouth filled with metal for a few years—which would plague your high school years, be in every photo in every year book, and make you talk funny—or you could go without.

Enter Invisalign, the new way to do braces where the braces are clear, and they use technology to move your teeth instead of metal.

Well, when I say technology, what I mean is that they use a computer to map where your teeth are now, and where they should end up.  Then, the computer can make models for each step along the way.  You put the plastic frame in your mouth, and it’s just enough force to move your teeth to the next step.

Feel the pressure at the beginning of the time period, at the end it’s not so bad—just in time to get the next step and continue the progress!

Not only do you not look like you have a mouth full of metal, but your teeth are straighter, and cleaning them is easier!

The smile is an important thing when it comes to modesty.  We want people to be looking at your face, and yet what do you see when your teeth look yellowed, misaligned or with braces—that you’re a work in progress.  I mean, can you remember the plot lines of shows from the 90s, you’ll see the “ugly duckling” had huge metal braces, and when they were gone, she became amazing looking.

For me, I never wanted braces because my neighbor had them.  I thought they were a pain, they cut the inside of his lip, they were expensive, and I almost gagged on the molding compound!

But for you, you can get an Invisalign treatment in Henderson, or somewhere close to you and you don’t have to have any of this!  It’s enough to make me want to look into it—would it be weird to have a dad and his kids in braces at the same time?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: braces, invisalign, teeth

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Today, many people get tattoos of their family member’s names, they get intricate designs in multiple colors, often neglecting to think about how things will look later in life (as skin sags or relationships change), and it doesn’t seem to dawn on people that tattoos are meant to be permanent.  Or are they?

Enter clinical tattoo removal.

When I was growing up, tattoos were something only sailors and rebellious people got. They were hidden and sometimes people felt shame over them later in life.  However, there wasn’t much that could be done about it.  After all, the whole point of tattoos of the non-henna or stick on variety is to be “permanent.”

The process itself is not trivial, with needles and tenderness, but that doesn’t stop a majority of teens from getting one.  According to Women’s Healthcare Topics, approximately 10 percent of teenagers have tattoos.  When you increase the upper age limit to 25, the percentage is more like 25%, or 1 in 4.

Skin sags.  People split up.  Life changes, and when that “cool” image no longer looks cool, or you have a conversion experience and wish to no longer have that tattoo proclaiming your membership in cute fuzzy bunnies anonymous, what are you going to do?

Clinical tattoo removal doesn’t sound like fun, and I’m sure the process is not.  Anything that required pain to paint the skin a specific color is going to require some big procedure to get it undone.

In this case, lasers may be the solution for you.  They can be tactical in getting rid of the dye and yet not harming the surrounding skin.  You can get the tattoo removed permanently, but it is not going to be free, so don’t go into getting one thinking the removal is easy!

Or you could not get a tattoo in the first place?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: removal, surgery, tattoo

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Leslie challenges not only the image of the “normal” young lady, but also prompts thought into the motives behind actions, or the reasons for looking a certain way. Leslie shares personal stories and experiences to illustrate her message, and is quick to share her mistakes as guidance for younger women today.

To learn the most about modesty and to reflect on the contents within the book will require time, and will not be a quick read. Along with Leslie’s thoughts of what a beautiful young woman is her husband, Eric.  He enlightens readers about how a young woman helps shape a young man, and how that same young woman can influence a young man to become the man she dreams of meeting someday. Eric provides some insight into a male mind, and the thoughts that assault a young man’s brain when women dress or behave immodestly.

Some readers may find Leslie a little extreme, but the book is an enjoyable and challenging read. Most young women could benefit from reading this book and putting into practice some of the principles shared through Leslie’s growing up years and mistakes while striving to find Authentic Beauty.

© Becky for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: authentic, beauty, book, set-apart

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Not being someone that had purchased a lot of jewelry in the past, we purchased our rings at a local jeweler.  Had I know about the wedding bands at Apples of Gold, I’m sure I would have had more options and had a more beautiful ring.

For one thing, all you have to do is go to their site and look at their white gold wedding bands and you will be impressed at the selection.  I mean, whether it’s a Celtic pattern, text on the inside or the outside, two different kinds of metals, or just a simple flat band with no writing whatsoever, you can find it at Apples of Gold—whose motto is taken from Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in settings of silver”.

Some of my favorites are the ones with words in them.

• The one I pictured above allows you to even select from various different Bible verses—including the Song of Solomon and the Creation in Genesis!
• Another allows you to put your wedding vows on the inside of the ring, so they are always right there in front of you!
• The “I am My Beloved’s” ring has “I am my Beloved’s” engraved on the outside and “My Beloved is Mine” on the inside!

The average price I’ve seen is around $500 with a few coming in as low as $200 and some of the more impressive bands coming in over $1,000.  Considering the price of gold today compared to when I purchased our rings, this seems like a really great deal—which they (of course) illustrate on the individual pages.

Rings ship within 5 to 7 business days.  You can change the width and the Karat for an additional charge, and ring sizes up to size 10 are the base price.  There’s free shipping in the United States along with a 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Best of all, this is a Christian site with a lot of Christian Pendants and Jewelry that you can also look at.  If you’re in the market for an engagement ring or a pendant, you should definitely give them a look.

This review was sponsored by Apples of Gold Jewelry.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: jewelry, wedding, wedding band, wedding ring, white gold

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The shirt I picked out was a cream plus sized shirt. I was pregnant at the time and I loved not having the extra material covering my belly. It was extremely comfortable.

The material this shirt is made from is so soft. The neckline was high enough not to show too much cleavage, which I appreciated. I also liked the fact that it didn’t bunch all up and stayed in place under my other shirt.

I think wearing one of these as an under layer really gives a nice fashion look.

The company’s shipping was incredibly quick. They seem like a great, friendly company to work with. I plan on buying a different colored half tee in the future.

You should check them out!

Half-Tee provided this item for review for free.  The review is totally my own.

© VirtuousBlonde for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: half-shirt, Maternity

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There are a lot of great choices of colors and different uplifting messages about your spouse to choose from. I chose the pink short-sleeve junior-fitted shirt that says, “My husband rocks!” I like the script font and love the message!

I really appreciate the length on the shirt – it comes way below the waist far down on the hips so there is no issue for a girl if she were to bend over. And the neckline is perfect for me – a crewneck – so I don’t have any issues with modesty at all with the cut. I like the weight of the material that Union28 uses. It’s not too thin or see-through at all.

The junior-fit is a slimmer fit than the ladies’ cut. I usually wear an XS (0-2) or even a girls’ size 14-16 on top. I was thankful that the site suggested ordering at least a size larger than normal because these shirts do run small. I ordered the 4-6 and was glad that I did. The fit is snug. I think with the junior-fit some people may even want to order 2 sizes larger than normal potentially. So if you would rather not have something so form-fitting, the ladies’ cut may be a better choice for you.

I am happy with the value Union28 gets for the money. The shirt I have is well-made and reasonably priced. I have to give it a big THUMBS UP!

And as part of this review, I get the opportunity to giveaway a $25 gift certificate so you can pick out something of your very own– or for your spouse or someone you know that’s getting married!– all you have to do is enter our giveaway using the widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

© Peacefulwife for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: apparel, Giveaway, husband, love, marriage, marriage apparel, shirt, wife

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Dannah describes six key issues that encircle the topic of modesty which are the following:

Firstly, the power that is associated with modesty. This book describes how women have a unique kind of power that is only given to the female gender, and that is the power of the body. Dannah describes how to utilize this power and when the appropriate time is to unleash that power.

Secondly, the secrecy embodied by the modesty of women, the author challenges her readers to understand that God has a purpose intended for each woman.

Thirdly, she explains what it means to miss the mark, and she describes the mark as God sets forth, and encourages us to keep aiming for it despite all the failed attempts at hitting the bull’s eye. Dannah also tackles the allure of immodesty, and how each woman longs to feel desired and appreciated and, often times, gives up parts of her in order to feel that way.

She tackles the desired inner qualities that make a woman beautiful and lastly, draws the bottom line between what is immodest and what is modest, starting with heart attitudes and ending with clothing choices.

The fashion challenges that Dannah proposes are good guidelines, however, they may be on the strict side and some readers may not like where she draws the line. This quick read is interesting and helps the reader gain an appreciation for the way God has designed the two sexes. Teens may like to add this to their library, and if they take to heart the principles within the covers, they will indeed help keep the secret of modesty.

© Becky for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: modesty, power, Secret

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This book takes on the questions of what is sexy? Are you sexy, and do you want to be? Should you be sexy? And what is the ultimate goal of being sexy? These questions are tackled in an easy to read, fun style, yet they’re handled seriously and with quotes from various sources, including youth pastors and verses quoted directly from the Bible.

Each day when a girl gets dressed, she is putting together a “PR package” that states who she is, how she wants to be viewed and what kind of person she is. This book helps target the PR that many girls want, yet also gives some glimpses into guys’ brains in a very straight-forward manner. Although, throughout the book, guys are looked at kind of negatively for their thought life as well as compared to cavemen who can’t seem to control themselves.

“If what you’re showing ain’t on the menu, keep it covered up” is the tag line for this entire book of question and answer sections and quizzes. The reminder is there many times throughout the book, that people, men particularly, are watching what you wear and what you’re not wearing. Not only does Dimarco cover clothing choices, she also takes a look at piercings, tattoos, and makeup.

Overall, it had some helpful information, I would recommend it to women who haven’t been to church all their lives or girls who are struggling with wanting to reveal too much skin.

© Becky for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: book, Hayley Dimarco

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The first thing that strikes you about the book and title is the fact that purity is more than simply physical—which is where many teens and couples leave it—but it is also emotional.

I really how this book is not just a book of abstract ideas, but it uses “Tracy and Mike”, an illustration drawn from the author’s life, to illustrate the point.  Tracy is a young woman who has a friend, Mike, and she has translated his behavior towards her as that of romantic interest.  However, that’s not exactly how Mike sees it.

Quickly, you can see where it’s going, and yet as you can see, with the author, the benefit of making sure not to commit your emotions to someone before you are sure they are returned—and ultimately returned in a marriage relationship!—each of us has had a time, I’m sure, where our thoughts have been consumed with a person of the opposite sex: what does she think about me, does he think I’m pretty, etc.

What this does, Patenaude tells us, is cause us to lose the ability to focus on the Lord during the gift of single years, and it causes emotional scarring on our heart that our eventual spouse will have to overcome.

I’d definitely recommend this book to every single young lady reading this blog.  It’s not expensive, and the value in understanding this kind or purity is invaluable.

You can read more from her at her blog by the same name, Emotional Purity.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: book, Heather Arnel Paulsen

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Wendy Shalit is a big name in Modesty, and in Girls Gone Mild, she lays out why she believes that Western Culture is swinging back toward modest and away from the hookup culture that has defined our recent past.

Shalit starts with where we currently are—in a world where sex is not special, where girls from the very young are taught that sexy is where it’s at.

And I can attest to this.  At a recent baseball practice, my four year old daughter was at the baseball park with us, and some girls were there that weren’t much older than she was, but that went to public school, and scrawled on the bleachers was the word “sexy.”  The girls seemed to know what that meant, but fortunately told my daughter it meant “cute.”

From there, Shalit goes into detail about what she’s hearing from young women around America.  What’s she’s found is that there is a fourth wave of feminism, a mild wave that’s not like the current promiscuous culture.

She found that many young women are deciding to not participate in the hookup culture.  They’re making choice and see the power in modesty.  Most of all, they’re seeing that it’s actually counter culture to be the good girl and to have self respect.

I found this book very enlightening and encouraging.  It gives you a positive perspective on the next generation and a hope that the pendulum may truly be turning.

I’d recommend it for anyone that wants to read up on the modesty battles, and yet, there’s a caution.  Some of the language in the book is strong, appealing to the current culture.  I showed the book to my sister-in-law when I first got it, and I was embarrassed at one of the chapter titles because it used a word that rhymed with witch.

So, keep in mind that Shalit is not Christian, and doesn’t make any connection to Godly morals.  Other than that, it’s a great book and worth the read, since she is an authority on the modesty movement.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: book, Wendy Shalit

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The pleated long slinky fabric skirt I got is navy in color. Its fabric is flowy and extremely comfortable. It is made from 90 percent polyester and 10 percent lycra.

The style is quite versatile and can be worn with a dressy top or a casual one. It is knee length which is nice for people who strive to be modest.

I like the fact that it is easy to care for. It is machine washable in cold water. It can be tumble dried on the low setting.

The company seemed friendly, and they even included a complimentary gift of bazooka bubble gum from Israel which I thought was extremely neat!

I was very pleased with this company and the quality of the skirt.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Israel, navy, skirt

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This is an extremely neat product from DCM Apparel. The design of this shirt is unique because it has two different colors, one on each side of the shirt. It saves on the cluttering problem in women’s closets. Instead of buying two different shirts you only need one that has the two colors on.

The tanks-a lot I am reviewing is a reversible black and white under layering tank. It is made of stretchy, 90 percent rayon and 10 percent spandex material, for a sure fit. It is made in the USA. It can be washed in cold water and lined dried.

The company seems friendly and easy to work with. The shipping of this product was fast.

It has a nice high neckline, which is very modest. If you like the layered look or if you just have shirts that are too low cut this product is a great find.

© VirtuousBlonde for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: tanks-alot, tanktop

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Christa Taylor is a modest clothing site on a mission.  Not only is the mission to be a successful business and to sell modest clothing for women, but it also exists to combat the epidemic of abandonment throughout the word—widows and orphans without care.  You can read more about this mission at their site, but I find it comforting to know that part of all sales go toward this mission.

The online store has five departments: Dresses, Skirts & Shorts, Coats & Jackets, Accessories and Swimwear.

Dresses

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We’ve been featuring selections from the Dresses selection all week in our Quick Reviews.  What we’ve found is a great, high class selection of dresses that fit multiple different venues.  The dresses have great colors and style, with most of them have a high neckline.  Many of them hit the knee on the models we reviewed, while some are slightly above, and some of them show off the shoulder.

The site shows color options on the main search page, instead of making you drill in and choose a color option—something I find annoying on other sites because they usually only model one color and it’s how to see how the other colors play out.

Skirts And Shorts

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Although the department says “Skirts and Shorts” I was unable to find any shorts pictured in the list of items.  My guess is that when they carry modest shorts, here is where you’d find them.

A majority of the skirts are long, falling mid-calf to below.  There are two skirts currently in the collection that fall right above the knee.  As with the dresses, the different colors have their own images.

Coats, Jackets and Accessories

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Do you know the difference between a coat and a jacket?  The length!  If it’s meant to cover a majority of your clothing, it’s a coat, otherwise it’s a jacket.

In this case, Christa Taylor has three different coats for sale—two if you count that the red and the black are the same style, just different colors.

For accessories, there are two berets and a headscarf.

Swimwear

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Their current selection of swimwear could mostly be summed up in two different suits—a Brown Retro Rouched Suit and a Baby Blue Suit.  Both of these look more like clothing than swimwear—which is much of the point with modest swimwear.

There is also a section for markdowns for those that are looking for a deal on their styles.

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: christa taylor

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Yesterday, in Part I, we introduced you to Allison Josephs from Jew in The City.  You can read that part of the interview here.

Let’s continue our interview:

LH: So, is it true you have some famous friends who also dress modestly?

AJ: I’m friends with author and speaker, Wendy Shalit – I blog for her site. (I haven’t blogged in a while, but I used to blog quite frequently there) http://blogs.modestlyyours.net

I’m also friends (and study regularly about Judaism) with actress Mayim Bialik. She was always a pretty modest dresser for Hollywood, but our learning about tznius together inspired her to wear skirts only and she’s managed to wear skirts for basically every role she’s gotten since she took it on.

LH: What’s your biggest challenge in dressing modestly?

AJ: I happen to have very low knees – you wouldn’t think I looked out of the ordinary if you saw me walking down the street or anything, but I’m 5’ 7 1/2” and my mom’s 5’ 3” and years ago we realized that our knees were in the same exact place! Needless to say my low knees make finding skirts that cover my knees quite challenging, especially as skirt lengths have gotten shorter in most stores in the last few seasons. One of my tricks has been to buy “tall” sized skirts from stores like GAP.com and OldNavy.com since they’re cut for long-legged women!

LH: Who is your modesty role model?

AJ: I don’t have a role model per se, but my best friend Tammy’s pretty great at finding that modest/cute balance. And the best part is, she’s always lending me stuff!

LH: Why do some Orthodox Jewish women cover their hair? Is that part of modesty?

AJ: It’s an extra form of modesty that married women take on since when they get married, there’s a new sexuality that they’re tapping into (since Jewish law prohibits couples to even touch before they’re married). This sexuality is a very positive thing, but getting back to the privacy issue, it’s meant for only a certain time and place (i.e. within the marriage). Hair has a certain sensuality to it – think of the expressions “running fingers through hair” or “letting hair down.” So keeping the hair covered in front of other men is an opportunity to keep the sensuality of hair just between the husband and wife.

LH: Is it true that some Orthodox Jewish women wear wigs?

AJ: Yes – the law is to cover only one’s own hair- but it doesn’t specify what to cover the hair with.

LH: How can I tell if it’s a wig?

AJ: Many of them are pretty hard to tell! If you’re trying to figure out if a woman’s wearing one, you could try tugging on her hair and see what happens. (I can’t guarantee what the results will be though!)

LH: We love your clothes! What’s your favorite online modest clothing shop?

AJ: Junees.com

LH: Can you leave us with an inspirational story?

A woman emailed me after watching my hair covering video and explained that she had been thinking about becoming more observant, but hadn’t really done anything about it. After watching the video she said it made total sense, so she decided to cover her hair which started her down the path of observance and she’s now totally religious!

Thanks, Allison, we loved the chat. Check out Allison’s blog at www.jewinthecity.com.

© LeahHelfgott for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allison Josephs, Jew in the City

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Many of us lament the fact that red carpet dresses get skimpier and skimpier every year. We found a blogging superstar in New York City who dresses modestly and isn’t afraid to talk about it.

Meet Allison Josephs. Her blog, Jew in the City, was nominated for Best Religion Blog at the Blogger’s Choice Awards. Her video, “What to Wear on my Hair?” has been viewed over 40,000 times on YouTube.

Allison describes herself as, “one Orthodox Jewish woman breaking down stereotypes about religious Jews and offering a humorous, meaningful look into traditional Judaism.”

We chatted with Allison about modesty and Judaism.

LH: What is the basis for modesty in the Jewish religion?

AJ: The idea behind modesty, or tznius (in Hebrew), in the most basic sense, is about privacy. It’s not about shame or looking unattractive. It’s the idea that some things are not meant for public consumption. Because of that, Jewish modesty is not just about how we dress, but also about how we behave, what information we share or don’t share with the larger world. It’s a sense of discretion that seems to have been lost on a society full of reality tv shows!

LH: Is modesty for men as well, or just for the women?

AJ: Modesty is for both men and women, though the rules are not exactly the same for each gender and I think it’s because Jewish law understands something about the female and male condition when it comes to sexuality. Women are generally more interested in showing off their bodies (think tank tops, miniskirts, and plunging necklines) than looking at scantily clad men. Men are generally more interested in looking at women’s bodies (ask yourself which magazine has more readers – Playboy or Playgirl) than showing off their own. (Most men – even in the heat of the summer wear shirts to around their elbows and shorts to their knees.)

Because of these natural inclinations, while women have some restrictions on what they can see of a man’s body, they’re more restricted in what they can show of their own. Similarly – although men can only show more of their body than women can, they’re allowed to see less of women’s bodies than women can see of theirs.

LH: We see Orthodox Jewish women wearing skirts and long sleeves. Is this the norm? What exactly are the rules?

AJ: There are different opinions in Jewish law when it comes to most issues which mean that different communities have different things they do (but all have some basic agreement). The most basic sources about modesty that you can find in the Talmud mention covering the “shok” – which is the leg (including the knee) and covering the “z’roa” – which is the arm, covering the elbow (although some say only until the elbow). Most communities cover the collar bone as well, since it’s an easy place to make a boundary, (though it does not have a source in the Talmud as the leg and arm do). Some communities like longer skirts and sleeves and have stockings also as part of the norm, although these are stringencies and not basic law.

Regarding the skirts – this is a bit of a discussion. There’s no law in the Talmud that says “women must wear skirts” – but at a certain point in Jewish history, the overall community of observant women made a decision to not wear pants. One reason is for modesty, as pants show the separation between the legs; another reason was to have an identifiable way to dress as a Jewish woman. Because the skirt thing is less clear cut than the sources from the Talmud – you will find Orthodox women out there who cover their arms, legs, hair, but wear baggy pants.

We’ll publish the second half of this interview tomorrow!

© LeahHelfgott for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allison Josephs, Jew in the City

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Starting this Thursday we will take a look at our first gown of the series.  We hope you enjoy this new feature on modest formal wear!

© Mardi for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: formal, gown, Reviews

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