An unexpected benefit of dressing modestly!
I am posting this to be added to this collection of modest dress. (This post is also now available through LAF here. Since Ladies Against Feminism began the series a few years ago, I've enjoyed revisiting it on occasion.I wish I had photographic proof of some of the things I've done in skirts over the years...horseback riding (both with saddles and bareback), mountain climbing, softball, and more. Do not let anyone tell you that it's not possible to do "X" in a long skirt. Either they have never tried or the fact you like to makes them uncomfortable. Instead of letting them make you feel uncomfortable, remember who you are dressing for and enjoy.
Left: My friend Lanier and I after an evening of Scottish dancing!
Right:Making stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner.
Right:Making stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner.
A friend recently commented that she'd never met anyone like me--a single girl who prefers dresses even though her family prefers pants. Maybe I am in the minority. There certainly were times in my mid-teens when a few biting comments from other Christians brought me to tears. Be that as it may, for the most part my skirts were a non-issue with my friends. If they found it odd that only one girl at the family get-togethers had on a dress they were too polite to comment. (After a year or so one of my cousins started doing the same--having her company was a delight!)
Have you ever tried spending a week in long flowing skirts? If not, why not give it a try? I love everything from the feel of the fabric around my ankles to the end of worries about if the pants will fit "the right way" (i.e. not too loose, not too tight) the day you need them to. Plus it's just fun.
Is it the cost of finding non-frumpy attire? It really isn't as hard as it might seem before you dive into the adventure. Every single thing I'm wearing on this post and the others linked below was either purchased at a consignment shop or Goodwill (with the exception of one skirt which was about $10 at Target :)) or free. I cringe to pay more than $5-7 for a skirt, $3 for a shirt, or $8 for a dress. Why, when I know I can find things for less?
Do you want to wear skirts? If so, what is stopping you? I spent a summer session at Cedarville University with 60 other students--none of which wore a dress (especially not during the track and field day). Any comments coming my way were respectful, if not admiring. It can be done.
No, a long skirt does not impute righteousness and should not determine one's worth, but there are things it can give. Confidence. Gracefulness. Beauty. Poise. And in my case, adorning myself in feminine and modest apparel attracted my husband-to-be!
I recently came across a sweet young girl's thoughts as she began wearing dresses all the time. You can read here why she'd rather wear dresses. I agree wholeheartedly! Is it a law, a duty, a preference? For me, it simply comes down to...I'd rather wear dresses.
Have you ever tried spending a week in long flowing skirts? If not, why not give it a try? I love everything from the feel of the fabric around my ankles to the end of worries about if the pants will fit "the right way" (i.e. not too loose, not too tight) the day you need them to. Plus it's just fun.
Is it the cost of finding non-frumpy attire? It really isn't as hard as it might seem before you dive into the adventure. Every single thing I'm wearing on this post and the others linked below was either purchased at a consignment shop or Goodwill (with the exception of one skirt which was about $10 at Target :)) or free. I cringe to pay more than $5-7 for a skirt, $3 for a shirt, or $8 for a dress. Why, when I know I can find things for less?
Do you want to wear skirts? If so, what is stopping you? I spent a summer session at Cedarville University with 60 other students--none of which wore a dress (especially not during the track and field day). Any comments coming my way were respectful, if not admiring. It can be done.
Natalie (second from left in black) with 5 other girls in "twirly" skirts
No, a long skirt does not impute righteousness and should not determine one's worth, but there are things it can give. Confidence. Gracefulness. Beauty. Poise. And in my case, adorning myself in feminine and modest apparel attracted my husband-to-be!
I recently came across a sweet young girl's thoughts as she began wearing dresses all the time. You can read here why she'd rather wear dresses. I agree wholeheartedly! Is it a law, a duty, a preference? For me, it simply comes down to...I'd rather wear dresses.
~ Related Posts ~
~Additional Reading and Resources ~
~Additional Reading and Resources ~
- Anna Naomi's post on "Dressing with Decency"
- Post by Sarah Harris (sister to Joshua, Alex, and Brett)
- The Secret Garden by Jennie Chancey
- Getting Used to Dresses
- LAF's collection of links to online dress shopping
- Developing Standards of Modesty in Children (LAF)
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Here is what I wrote a year and a half ago while living in Japan:
Being modest does not mean being frumpy! It is possible to live in dresses and not only enjoy it, but feel best! I love wearing long flowing feminine dresses--it makes me feel like a princess even if I'm just changing diapers and cleaning bathrooms. I don't wear them all the time, but if I had my choice, I would. They are not only most comfortable, flattering, and just plain fun, but they can serve as protection, especially for someone like me who is living on a military base in a foreign country.
Feeding my baby Aaron breakfast...
Exploring a castle here on Okinawa, Japan with the kids...
Enjoying a Japanese garden...
Taking pictures in the Great Smoky Mountains
3 dance steps:
Amen... it really is true, that it is possible to do practically anything in a dress. I grew up in dresses- by choice- and it really is possible. :)
And unrelated, but I found a really neat pattern for a swimsuit that is so feminine and modest and yet so cute. It made me happy... :)
Great post! Do you mind if I link to it from my blog?
"A friend recently commented that she'd never met anyone like me--a single girl who prefers dresses even though her family prefers pants. Maybe I am in the minority."
That's me too! And until last year or so I had never met anyone else that preferred skirts/dresses and her family prefers pants... So when did you start skirts/dresses on a regular basis? And what exactly prompted you to do so?
I'm not alone! lol. I'm the only one in my family who prefers to wear skirts or dresses while my older sister wear jeans. Although my little sister who has always loved dresses has decided to start dressing like "meme" lol. It was hard at first to be the only one but I love how I feel in a skirt/dress and when I have a day where I feel out of place just as you said. I remind myself who I'm doing this for.
God bless
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