Pretty Not Provocative

Fashion continually amazes me. Shorter skirts, lower skirts, anything to show more skin. "Make them see-through!" "Make the mini skirt jagged - we'll see more leg that way!" "Cut off the bottom of that shirt! They don't need that!" ... Excuse me? Why is it that women are made to believe that in order to be pretty, the must also be provocative? Here's my line of thinking:

Undergarments should not become outer-garments; clothing should not reveal what should be concealed; and it’s possible to be pretty without being provocative.

I only wish more young women (and young girls) understood that. I'm always shocked to walk into church for Mass and see a girl in a too-tight tube top and mini-skirt. It's not only that she is dressed that way in the Lord's house but that she would dress that way at all. She is a temple of the Holy Spirit and she is dressing like that? Something must be wrong with her conscience. And there is. Or she doesn't care. But the fashion world is going to convince her that it's okay and that she's cooler for doing it.

I was relieved, however, to hear that fashion this season has taken a turn for the better.

The fashions at all of the major international shows took a noticeable turn toward covering up this season, with longer hemlines, higher necklines and more voluminous clothing on the runways in Paris, Milan, New York and London.

Are the designers thinking modesty? I think probably not, but at least this time they aren't promoting immodesty.

Even outside of mini-skirts and plunging necklines, there are offenders of immodesty in dress that people often overlook these days. Girls run around in shirts that conform exactly to their figure. Shirts reveal bras and low-cut (or too-tight) pants show panty lines. I have seen way too many girls who claim to want to be pure and modest wear shirts without tanks underneath and skirts without slips that needed them.

I could honestly go on and on about modesty nightmares in fashion today but quite frankly, I'd rather not be a bummer on a Friday. Instead I will point you to the article which got me going on this today. It is a good article and has even sparked my curiosity enough that I think I'll be searching to find this fashion show (which is supposedly held in Dallas).

Read "Bootylycious Backlash" here.

Guidelines for the fashion show which should be guidelines for always:

Shirt necklines should be no lower than four fingers below the collarbone, no thin or sheer material, no strappy backs or halters, and no tank tops without overlaid shirt or jacket; pants should not be too tight, and the appropriate length for shorts is determined by putting arms straight at the side and measuring no higher than your longest finger; skirts should be no shorter than four fingers above the kneecap; and no exposed bra straps.

God bless and Mary protect! Be modest - Be holy!