Is This Modest? » pants

Women Wear Skirts – How A Standard Becomes An Issue

lindyabbott — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:00:33 +0000

In the 21st Century, many women have never thought about ‘women wearing skirts’ as an issue, much less a standard. A skirt is simply one of many clothing choices. Women are more interested in the style of the skirt and how it looks on them. The majority of the America population really haven’t given ‘to wear or not to wear a skirt’ a second’s thought.

But in different decades of the 20th Century, whether a lady wore pants was a social change. ‘Who wears the pants’ was a challenge on many different levels.

Some churches have dress-codes. I didn’t know this until I was about 25 years old. A dear friend, who I met while living in an apartment, explained that her church taught that women only wear skirts (or dresses), sleeves were 3/4 length, and no jewelry. They usually never cut their hair, but wore all kinds of fancy hair clips and time-consuming styles. Basically, in her Kentucky small hometown, everyone she spent most of her time with lived this way. She didn’t feel her clothing was ‘that different’ until she moved to a bigger city in Tennessee with her husband. It was only after being plunged into a larger, diverse population that her normal seemed strict and limiting to others. For generations their families lived this way. She never went through a time that she didn’t want to wear a skirt, for her it was never an issue to question or deeply examine.

I grew up Roman Catholic. As a child, ladies wore “a lace covering” on our heads to mass and our “Sunday best” dress. I liked dressing up. Being one of eight children we usually only had one dress and pair of dress shoes. I wore the same outfit every week until I got the next ‘hand-me-down’ dress. We also wore our Sunday Best dress when we went to the city, to visit our older relatives or if we had to go to the doctor for a yearly visit. For me, wearing a dress was a treat associated with a special occasion.

On weekdays,I attended a Roman Catholic school and wore a skirt uniform from K-12. The skirt was 2-4 fingers above the knee and I never really considered it a hindrance. The length of the skirt was very practical because we could sit criss-cross on the ground to play games of jacks and cards during recess. I never wished my skirt was shorter; I liked being able to flop on the concrete walkways or blacktop enjoying every minute of our play time. Frankly, wearing skirts to school was a non-issue; we didn’t think to ask if the girls could wear pants on cold days. Why would we want to? There was nothing we were prevented from doing. We even played volleyball and kickball in our skirts.

Everything changed in the 1970′s when the Vatican 2 newly-created, more-lenient Roman Catholic church rules began to be implemented in American. These rules didn’t alter the behavior or thinking of the oldest. My grandmother was always wearing a dress; she didn’t own anything but dresses. Her husband wore a suit, dress shirt, tie and hat every time he stepped out of the door of his house. He would relax at home and take off his tie, suit coat and hat. It was during my lifetime – starting in my mother’s generation – that women really had a choice. But the changes did relax the expected attire to be worn to mass (no lace veil covering, pants were acceptable, etc.).

When I was a child children complained that much nor demanded ‘rights’ that they had been told were theirs to claim. Of course, when the seventies finished and women’s lib movement had crushed through America it seemed everyone had some complaint or fight to pick. Oddly, it wasn’t until women started making a ‘statement’ with their clothes that wearing pants stood out. My mom wore pants everyday as I grew up and my grandmother wore a dress and I never questioned the difference. It wasn’t a big deal.

What started in the 50′s, took a huge swing of the social pendulum by the 1970′s. Many women during the 1970 on, didn’t ever wear a skirt unless they were going to a special event. Basically women were pants everyday and never thought another thing about it after the 1980s. It is important to understand that it was no longer a conscious decision of ‘who will wear the pants’! It was a standard or norm that most accepted: Women could wear pants or skirts or dresses. To me, it is amazing though how something accepted already in culture (by the 1970′s many women like my mom already wore pants regularly) became a big deal when people attacked it to a social agenda. Granted, since my mother was born in the mid 1930′s and lived her young adult years in the 1950′s, she probably dealt more with making a conscious choice in picking pants over skirts. But it is also important to note that she (nor any other women of her age) ever talked about it as being an issue or a statement. Even in the 1970s, when the Women’s Liberation movement took storm through our Nation, she never equated her 50s clothing experience to the liberation movement of the 70s. And there was a good reason why: she was made a decision about clothes and new styles, but the 1970′s “liberation agenda” forced women to make a decision about the role of men in family and work. This is very important to differentiate. Clothing became a political and social statement – not a fashion choice. In many ways, “what women wore” was used as propoganda by a few powerful social/political groups, but clearly they did not speak for the majority!

Miro, Women in the Night, 1930-1940's

Strong Christian churches disliking the toppling of the family and society order fought back by trying to make Biblical standards for their members. Rightly so, they looked for ways to help their women to not be swept up in the perversion of male/female roles. Therefore, some denominations of Christian churches became more strict, establishing/reinforcing church rules. Leaders dug into the Bible to find Its support for their rules, and sermons were preached to teach their congregation the importance and Biblical mandate. Isn’t this the way a lot of sermons are written? The theme and message is formed, and then Bible passages are applied to give Biblical support to the leader’s lessons.

Inductive or expository Bible Study guards Believers against making doctrine that does not flow directly out of in-depth study of God’s Word. Studying Scripture verse by verse, using the Bible to interpret Itself, looking for context, doing Word studying of the original Hewbrew/Greek languages, and letting the Holy Spirit dictate teaching, is essential to being Spirit-led believers, instead of people-led. When a pastor studies the Word allowing It to dictate the direction of the sermon while seeking the Lord in prayer, he rightly develops the sermon message for the congregation. It is very interesting to realize only on very RARE occasions are rules developed because a church leader/pastor was struck by a truth while inductively studying the Bible. But isn’t this God’s Best? After personal study and prayer, believers should create a new living standard in order to be obedient/pleasing to God, but never to do a work to feel secure or saved in their eternal destiny. When following church rules or anybody’s rules for that manner, we should try to find how they were developed. We need to learn to study God’s Word for ourselves and to have a personal time of communicating to God to grow to know Him, and thereby follow Him walking in grace.

In faith, believers are to walk Spirit-led, not people-led. It really helps if our religious leaders are Spirit-led to begin with, but we still responsible to spend our own personal time with God and the Word to verify what we are being taught is truth.

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© lindyabbott for Is This Modest?, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: choices, christian women, clothing, dress code, historical fashion, history of clothing, legalism, length, male mind, men's fashion, pants, skirts, who wears the pants, women wearing skirts

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Sweater Over Shirt with Pants

MInTheGap — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:00:00 +0000

maillot des bleues
Photo by Carreauxfils

The first thing that I notice here is that this young lady is incredibly thin. But putting that aside for the moment, the look of her top is quite cute. I like the long shirt hanging out and the sweater over top—it’s a nice look for a girl.

My biggest problem is with her pants. While they cover her legs, they seem to stick to her legs—or maybe not? It’s hard to tell because of how thin she is.

Thinness really isn’t an issue as long as you’re healthy and have healthy habits. Unfortunately our culture glorifies people with poor eating habits and perpetuates a standard that not everyone can beat.

Again, focus on the inside and let it shine through.

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My Mom Says My Pants Are Too Revealing

MInTheGap — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Having watched football for the first time in a while the other night as Tim Tebow and the Broncos lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots, I can say I didn’t even notice the pants that the players were wearing. Did you?

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Are Pants Modest?

Modesty Convert — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:53:28 +0000

Oh goodness, this is something that I’ve been debating within myself for months now. My personal opinion? Yes and no. Yes because you can get loose pants or wear long shirts over them. No because they can be insanely tight in certain areas ( depending on the size ) and leave nothing of your booty to the imagination. It just depends on how you wear them.

( Please don’t take this post of me being judgmental of people who do wear pants, in whatever style, form, or fashion. This is just my personal opinion when it comes to pants and modesty. :) )

Please feel free to comment with your own convictions and preferences. Yahweh bless!

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© Modesty Convert for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: modesty, pants, personal opinions

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Do I Have To Wear Skirts All the Time?

MInTheGap — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:00:00 +0000

I do not wear a tie all the time. There, I said it.

My company has a business-casual approach to attire, and that means that most days, in the summer, you’ll find me in khaki pants and a short sleeved polo shirt. In the winter (like now) I’m in dress slacks, a button down shirt with a sweater overtop.

However, you didn’t ask me that. You asked about whether women should wear skirts all the time?

This is a debate that’s continually held, and many on both sides would argue that it’s personal conviction.

However, these people also have opinions on the topic, and strongly hold those views.

So here’s your chance. Make your case. Do you wear skirts all the time, would you like to, or do you think that the idea is crazy.

Tell us why you feel the way that you do. This is not the time to attack another’s position (and I’ll moderate those that do). This is a time to spell out what you believe about this and why you choose to dress how you do.

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“A Week In Modesty” Challenge

tawnynicole001 — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:00:32 +0000

Modesty! Its rather important to us! But, have you ever sat back and examined your standards of modesty? How your standard was formed? Considered other views of modesty? The annual Modesty Challenge gives each of us a chance to re-think modesty and discuss our finding!

This Years Modesty Challenge Begins on April 19th 2010 & Ends April 23rd 2010. The theme this year is “A week in Modest Feminine Attire”. And just to make it interesting, we’ll pick one participant from those who take the challenge to get a free skirt from New Creation Apparel!

The Rules

For this years challenge, lets put the debate of skirts or jeans behind us. Skirts/Dresses of appropriate length are certainly modest. They are certainly feminine. And They are most defiantly no longer the “norm” for girls and women.

During the challenge, you should wear only skirts, dresses, culottes, or split-skirts. Try to keep outfits as feminine and modest as possible. Continue with your normal routine. Especially participate in activities you “thought you couldn’t do in a skirt” such as gardening, cleaning, housework, childcare, outdoor activities etc.

Take lots of pictures of yourself doing your normal routines in feminine modest clothing. (If you are uncomfortable taking your picture, take pictures of your outfit.) Post these pictures along with any thought or comments on the challenge to your personal blog. Your post should include a link to the challenge. Add your post to the list of links (Comments) so we can all see how your challenge is going!

Already a “skirt gal”? Great! You are still welcome to participate in the challenge. You may wish to make the challenge a bit more challenging for yourself by adding a “bit more feminine challenge”. Possibly challenge yourself to also wear feminine hair styles! (Think Buns & Braids!) Or to Speak or write more feminine.

Below I am listing some questions you may wish to answer concerning this years challenge!

Enjoy! I wish everyone a great experience during this years challenge! I am so excited to hear everyone’s thoughts!

Week in Modesty Questions:

1. Prior to the challenge, What was your standard of modesty? How has it changed after the challenge?

2. Prior to the challenge, How did you feel about wearing skirts or dresses? Did you feel they would be limiting? How has this view changed Post-Challenge?

3. Prior to the challenge what was your self-image like? Did this change any after the challenge?

4. Did you notice any changes in you behavior during the challenge? Did you notice any change in the way others treated you while wearing skirts/dresses?

5. Did you find picking out an outfit or getting ready during the challenge to be inconvenient? Why or Why not?

6. Did you find your skirt/dress to be limiting or inconvenient in any situations?

7. Did you find your self to be comfortable in your skirt/dresses? As compared to jeans?

8. Will you continue to wear skirts/dresses? Why?

~Please Respect this Blog & It’s Readers~

Any Links Posted with inappropriate or immodest content will be deleted.

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© tawnynicole001 for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: article, Casual, challenge, clothing, dress, fashion, jeans, modest, modesty, pants, skirt

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Christina Aguilera

MInTheGap — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:52:07 +0000

Christina Aguilera

Originally uploaded by leigh39

Is This Modest?

We’ve been asked to comment through our Contact Form on this photo, so we’re obliging!

MInTheGap: Frankly, my first reaction is “She’s not wearing any pants.” The fact that her top is long enough to go to her upper thigh doesn’t help the fact that I can make out her entire leg. While the top is fine, the “leggings as pants” make this immodest for me, even though there’s very little skin showing.

Your Turn…

[ratings]

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Blue With White Pants

MInTheGap — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:44:00 +0000

DSC_2376
Originally Uploaded by
Densyo

Is This Modest?

MInTheGap: This outfit is a little tight– you can see its snugness in both the shirt (you can see part of an undergarment) and pants (you can see the outline of her left pocket)– but the designs distract your attention. It does provide good coverage, however.

Foy: The design does work well – for one side. It would need to cover more of the shirt for it to be more effective. Other than that, the only thing I wonder about is the see-throughness of the pants. A four.

Your Turn…

[ratings]

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© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: embroidery, pants, shirt, white pants

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Tights Are Not Pants

MInTheGap — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I found an interesting site the other day, and I wonder if you agree with their manifesto:

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Glimpsed by the Baltimore Sun–150

Erin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:00:01 +0000

Is This Modest?

Erin: I think this is a cute, feminine and classy outfit!

MInTheGap: I’m surprise there was no comment about the v-neck or how low it goes. I think this outfit works, however.

Your Turn…

[ratings]

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Glimpsed by the Baltimore Sun-147

Erin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:00:59 +0000

Is This Modest?

Erin: Yes, I think it’s very modest! I think they are the wrong colors/style for her though.

MInTheGap: Modest, and knows what’s cool. Fonzie’s sister perhaps?

Your Turn…

[ratings]

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© Erin L. for Is This Modest?, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: pants, professional, shirt, shoes

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Glimpsed by the Baltimore Sun-129

Erin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:00:11 +0000

Erin: Very nice!

MInTheGap: Baggy, but modest. Are those what you call parachute pants?

Your Turn…

[ratings]

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© Erin L. for Is This Modest?, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: baggy, clothing, jacket, pants, Parachute pants

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