Summer is finally here! The season of picnics, uber-hot weather…and lots of skin. During these months girls like me wonder how to be modest while beating the heat.

I often hear the “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”, “It’s the guy’s problem if he can’t control himself!”, “I can dress however I want, it’s my right!” arguments, even from Christian females. 1 Timothy 2:9 says differently “I want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety” and so does Romans 14:13 “Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” Ladies, immodest dress dishonors God, your future husband if you’re called to be married, your brothers in Christ, and causes guys to think impure thoughts.

Guys are wired so very much by what they see. Immodest dress is a stumbling block to them and an obstacle to godly guys’ extremely difficult battle to keep their minds and hearts pure. It causes our brothers in Christ, even the strongest in their faith, to stumble over us, having to try to get the image out of their mind, keep from dwelling on it, try not to look at it (which is hard to do if you are talking to them), keep their focus on God during church and other times, and many other things. It’s not right of us girls to do, especially when we’re their fellow believers and should know better! Guys are bombarded by immodest sights and girls everyday! Ultimately it doesn’t matter whether we’re called to be married or not because we should committ to modesty out of love for God and fellow believers.

Modesty is not about frumpiness or hiding your body shape. It is 100% possible to dress modestly and totally be  rocking stylish clothes! The ground rules are to cover your cleavage, thighs, stomach {basically your whole torso}, make sure your bra straps don’t show, have your feminine figure enhanced a little but not too much, and nothing tight! Now, for some tips that will keep you cool and modest in summer! :))

• Light fabrics: Cotton, linen, and similar fabrics are essential. You don’t want some heavy or tight fabrics weighing you down and making you hotter!

• Wide strap tank tops – If you choose to wear tank tops. Go for wide straps preferably 2-3 inch straps and keep camis/spaghetti strap tops for layering. Make sure the tanks aren’t low and your bra straps won’t show.

• Bermuda, cotton, or linen shorts. Look for knee-length, not immodest short shorts. Too much l-egg there. :P Make sure though that they don’t hike up when you sit down.

• Skirts/Dresses. Contrary to popular belief, showing skin doesn’t make you cooler, it helps your skin burn even more! Flowy skirts and dresses are very modest and my favorite summer wear. They help the skin to breathe and air to flow. Again, make sure that they won’t hike up when you sit down.

• Swimwear: Never a bikini. And a so-called tankini has a top that could potentially flip up. :P If you can afford it, I’d recommend something from modestkini, simply modest swimwear, or wholesome wear. If not, just pair swim shorts with a modest one-piece that’s not very low and covers the whole torso, like this cute delia’s suit!

• Eat light. Salads, sandwiches, fruit and cheese, stuff like that, just not anything heavy. Heavy foods will make you feel weighed down. Microwave, prepare ahead the night before, grill {if possible}, crockpot, cook at night, or eat cold foods to keep heat out of the house and off of you.

• By the way, if you have spaghetti-strap tops or dresses you want to wear, pair them with short-sleeve or to-the-elbow sweaters. There are cute ones that come out for summer, you just have to check. And if a top/dress is low-cut but definitely cute, pair it with a higher-cut tank or cami! Layering can work in the summer if done right!

• Wondering where to find these awesome clothes that cover? I’d suggest Old Navy, J. Crew, Forever 21, fashionable thrift stores and similar places. Old Navy always has cute or modest tops, skirts, and knee-length shorts and so does J. Crew. Shop the stores you like to find these clothes and support the ones that do have them. :))

Guys, you should also dress modestly too. Especially if you have a relatively muscular body, cover that up, because girls {including me} can get…sort of…sometimes…excited. :D

A few outfits to share {click on pics to go to the polyvore links}:

{Bright and very summery}

{Good shorts! The top does look a little low so if it’s too hot to wear the
coverup then put a cami or even strapless top underneath}

{The suits’ tops and the first pair of shorts are too low/short for me, but the idea’s great!}

Remember, do everything to the glory of God, and have some fun while doing that! :D

Much love, your grilled burger-adoring, sometimes skirt-wearing, author who has decided she’s gotta learn to swim sometime soon.

© Mahina for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: cool, modest, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Here’s a light and modest dress for summer.  This attractive dress is a 40’s style that is light weight and made to flow.  It’s 100% Polyester (according to the retailer) and looks comfortable.

From a modesty standpoint, the shoulders are covered and the neckline looks like it buttons.  The look on the model is modest.

The belt helps for definition, but doesn’t draw attention to anywhere but the waist.

The interesting part of this dress, to me, is that there seems to be an outer layer that goes below the knee, but the inner layer sets just on the knee.  One wonders if the lower layer is a slip?

I don’t think so, because the top looks fine, and the retailer says that it is not see-through.

Still, it’s an interesting effect, don’t you think?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 40's, light weight, lined, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Alamodest.com is hosting a giveaway for Rey Swimwear. It is ending May 21, 2011 (end of the world?), so hurry and get your entries in!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

© Rachel @ alamodest.com for Is This Modest?, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bathing suit, beach, gift card, Giveaway, modest, modesty, pool, rey swimwear, summer, Swimsuit, swimwear

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

The first few months after surrendering to modest fashion were not easy. I was especially not a fan of summer months as just over a year ago, I had been bearing it all out with the least clothing I could wear on my body to keep myself cool and circulated. Summer was and is the most difficult season to remain fashionably pure. I did not care less about style than I do now, but I did ignore modesty. I just cared about wanting to look “good” like everyone else, but that was exactly where I stumbled—wanting to look like everybody else. While I disliked posers, copycats, social climbers, and being “in” on the latest trends, I failed to notice myself in the mirror echoing back a reflection I did not want to see.  In spite of my goals of individuality and looking “nice,” I became what I did not want to be because I allowed myself to be taken over by the status quo heat. Running after fast-paced worldly trends got too tiresome, and I wanted to find retreat deep within the quiet corners of my soul. The transformation came through an emotional outpouring, which changed the way I viewed and carried myself to a manner virtuous and lady-like in my heart through my clothing.

After relating a little background on my old summer shrieking dilemma, I’ve decided to write about beating the summer heat and the status quo fashion through modesty.

• Instead of shorts or tight pants, I switched to long flowing skirts or knee-length skirts. I have always had trouble looking for a good pair of shorts or pants. My anatomy has been graced/cursed with the pear shape a.k.a. “the classic woman shape”. Especially with the models today who are pencil thin from top to bottom, looking at catalogs and mannequins usually resulted in my being disappointed by my purchases. The switch was easy. It is more enjoyable for me anyway to wear leggings or tights with a tunic, dress, or skirt and at the same time cover up my basement’s silhouette. Surprisingly, I never knew that part of me was attractive until someone in my high school talked about it in my dance group. He really was the last person I would’ve wanted to be around. To my disgust, I really didn’t attract the right kind of guys back then.
• Instead of tank tops, spaghetti straps, and tube tops, I switched to airy blouses with light material or loose sleeveless shirts. I layer my blouses with accessories (brooches, scarves, necklaces, etc.) or just choose a really eccentric-looking top to go with the bottom. This helps not to associate modesty with Plane Jane. Tank tops and their many varieties have become things of the past and inferior pieces to the sophisticated look I strive for. I hope I have somewhat achieved it!
• Instead of bikinis or monokinis, I switched to a one-piece bathing suit or a tankini with a high-neck and full butt coverage. When asked if I would be comfortable modeling swimsuit for a modest apparel store, I graciously declined. I think that photos of women in even modest swimwear can be showing too much. Wearing a swimsuit in public is already a compromise for me—let alone taking photos posted all around the internet and catalogs wearing an attire made for bathing. I do not condemn, however, modest swimsuit modeling. It is simply a personal decision of mine to decline such an offer. My husband and I also have made it a point to avoid public beaches and pools to minimize the temptation of reverting back to our old “habits.” This isn’t a necessity for everyone, but personally, we just find it best for both of us to avoid the skin parading at the beach. It helps to keep his mind from overworking to remain pure and helps to keep me from wanting to flaunt my body in public. We are both capable and very much guilty of lusting! Here’s an anecdote: I bought a retro monokini at a store as my first “modest” purchase. Wearing it, it turned out, that it was even sexier than my bikinis. It was still showing a lot of cleavage and butt, so I had it excommunicated from my sight. It was hard because it was such a gorgeous piece, but I knew how horrible of an effect there would be on family men and children who saw me wearing it in public and in photos.
• Instead of clothes with showy cuts or slits that showed skin, I switched to clothes with bold patterns or details. One-of-a-kind patterns, bold colors, big vintage buttons, over-sized bows, and intricate details on clothes get as much attention as thigh-temptress slits, shoulder-showing asymmetrical tops, and chest-charming raindrop peek-a-boo’s. You can get the same clean and rewarding effect without showing skin or accentuating the more sexy parts of the body.
• Instead of showing too much leg, I switched to colored and patterned tights and socks. However, I didn’t get rid of all my dresses and skirts that were too short. I found that it was more interesting anyway to wear them with colored or patterned tights and socks. I subsequently fell in love with the variety of socks I could wear—especially bobby socks and knee-high socks! I also kept my one pair of skinny jeans to wear underneath a tunic or a short dress.
• As for the other priceless pieces I kept from the past: I collected a vast amount of wonderful clothes that fit the “high-fashion” look over the years that weren’t very modest. I got rid of some but kept some of the pieces that I knew I could get creative with through layering. Some of the clothing that I used to wear in public, I now only wear at home around my husband or in the bedroom. I kept some of the old, but I made sure to rarely if ever buy new clothes that were alone, without layering, immodest. There is already enough temptation sometimes for me to wear my old clothes as-is without putting something else beneath them.

This list might sound too religious, but I really am not trying to sound that way. As you might notice, I am referring to what I did with my own wardrobe instead of telling you what you should be doing. Everybody has their own standard, especially with modesty. I haven’t even touched on the nitty-gritty details of what style choices I avoid that aren’t in every Proverbs woman’s modesty book. On the other hand, I know for certain that I haven’t even grazed the level of modesty some devout women live by. There is always someone with a higher (or lower) standard of modesty than I, but all of them are doing their best to honor it. I just live by godly principles that I acquired through personal transformation, not by religiosity, which I express through various forms including my clothing.

———————–

This post was originally from à la Modest by Rachel Dahl. You can go directly to her website or Facebook for more posts on modesty.

© Rachel @ alamodest.com for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: a la modest, alamodest, Christian, dahl, modest, modesty, rachel, skirts, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Cute Comfy Summer Dress? OR Just another Muu Muu?

Leave a comment with your opinions and suggestions!

To see more of this dress click here!

© tawnynicole001 for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: clothing, dress, is this modest, modesty, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

As always, I’m sure this heat is here to stay!

Each year the summer heat brings with it the ‘necessary’ tiny clothes! Bare shoulders and tiny straps seem to be popping up everywhere!

I’m on a quest to find something cute & comfy to wear in this summer heat! I needed look no further than the vast vintage market!

Here are a few of my favorite things!

What do you think!?

How would you accessorize these outfits?

What’s your favorite summer things??

*Not your Grandma’s Muu Muu*

*a house dress you’ll want to wear out*

*Summer berries please*

*A day out*

*Picnic Dress*

Tips for buying vintage:
*Check out thrift stores! Great finds at great prices
* Think about adding modern ‘trendy’ pieces & accessories – you probably already have some great stuff to really jazz up any outfit
*Vintage sizes are usually different from modern sizes – be sure to double check measurements
*If you can sew, your in luck! There are tons of vintage patterns
*When searching for this style dress online search different key terms: try *When searching for this style dress online search different key terms: try vintage lounge dress, vintage house dress, muu muu dress, vintage patio dress, ect

© tawnynicole001 for Is This Modest?, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: clothing, dress, modest, summer, vintage

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

What person’s wardrobe is complete without a few pairs of shorts?  I mean, how can you go the summer without wearing a pair of cut-offs or something to let your legs get air?

Are shorts and modesty at odds?  I think that there are many situations where shorts may be appropriate or acceptable!

For one thing, shorts are always appropriate when they’re of the right length and style.  Shorts that cover the knee, or a lot of the thigh, can be modest and comfortable all at the same time.  Once you go down the calf, you’re in the weird Capri/high water zone that’s a different story all together.

But it’s not just what you wear, but where you wear it that’s important.  As evidenced by this poll:

Where is it acceptable to wear short shorts?

• Inside your house (69%, 40 Votes)
• In the backyard – fenced or in country (48%, 28 Votes)
• On the beach (34%, 20 Votes)
• Never (28%, 16 Votes)
• In the backyard – un-fenced (19%, 11 Votes)
• To a friend’s house (14%, 8 Votes)
• To the store (-112%, 5 Votes)

Pardon the –112%, not quite sure where that came from, but you get the idea.  An overwhelming majority had no problem wearing shorts inside your own house, and almost a majority said it was fine in the country or in a fenced in yard.

It’s after that where we have less agreement—to the point that you should consider what you’re showing others.

Do you wear shorts?  If so, where do you feel comfortable wearing them?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: shorts, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

There are three words that the men over at The Art of Manliness use to talk about how to dress in hot weather, and I thought that they were right on.

Clean

The best thing to remember about hot weather is that your body will try to cope with it.  A clean body, therefore, will be a cooler body.  Making sure to be clean will both benefit you and all of those around you!

Clean also goes for clothing.  It’s best to wear clothing that does not have any stains (talk about a way to draw attention!), but if you’re wearing something that you’ve worn before, chances are it’s not as cool as you might like!

Light

Light colors reflect light.  Dark colors attract light.  By wearing lighter colors you’re able to reflect the sunlight that would be raising your body temperature—and therefore making you warmer.

If you wear your clothing looser, you’ll be able to have better airflow, and that will also help.  Keep in mind that if your clothing is looser you may be allowing views of yourself that you would not have to worry about otherwise.

And make sure the fabric is such that it provides both coverage but is light.

Understated

This is where modesty comes in.  During the summer, like any other time, we should be making sure that our clothing compliments us.  We should wear things that don’t draw unnecessary attention to our person, but that draw attention to who we are.

We need to be practical.  But though a white shirt that’s made of light material may be practical—it may also be translucent.  Definitely not something a modest person might be looking for.

Here’s three tips—do you have any more?

© MInTheGap for Is This Modest?, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: clothing, summer, summer wear

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

As women striving for modesty in today’s society, it can be frustrating to be around women who are obviously not interested in dressing and acting modestly. It is especially hard during the summer months, when we are often surrounded by blatant immodesty, even in church and with Christian women! When we see this, it is easy to judge, become angry and get a superior attitude about how much better we are at being modest than “that woman over there” (who really, really should know better!!).

Our society has pushed the “judge not lest you be judged” attitude, only allowing for judgement when it is them who is upset with us. However, while the verse can often be used out of context, I think it applies rather well here.  Jesus was telling us in Matthew 7:1, that we are going to be “measured” or judged with the same standards that we use for “measuring” or judging others.  When we see women who are not being modest, the first thing we should do is pray for them. Many times, it is not that these women have a strong desire to flaunt “everything” (although I do know that it is sometimes the case), but often they have not explicitly heard about why modesty is so important.  We can also pray for an opportunity to speak with them about it, if it’s something that God would have us do. (This mostly applies to sisters in Christ, I think.)  But….We also need to make sure that while we are praying for the other person, we are consistantly asking God to show us the areas in which we need to become more modest.  There could be a pair of pants we wear that is just a little bit too tight, but we like how they look; or the heels that are so high, that they make us walk with a little more “hip”.

Because although “the other woman” might seem obviously immodest, the little things that we do are just as wrong…especially if we know it’s wrong, and we still do it.  We might get angry and frustrated with how others dress, but we need to remember that our “sins of immodesty” are just as real, and grieve God just as much, if not more because we should know better.  While there might be levels of immodesty when it comes to what others see–a fitted shirt might not seem quite as immodest as a plunging neckline; but when it comes to the heart, God says sin is sin.

So, I’m not saying to never get frustrated with immodesty or to just brush it off as “cluelessness” on the person’s part, because we are to be upset by sin! But, we just need to make sure that we are just as upset and frustrated by our sins as those of others. Because at the end of the day, we are only responsible for one person–us. But if we are so busy measuring the sins of others, that we can’t work to eradicate our own…we have problems.

© Erin L. for Is This Modest?, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: immodesty, judging others, summer

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh