Modest Dress

Since marrying Colin and getting away from the rat race that is the Toronto Stock Market, I've gone back to wearing dresses every day. When I was in grade 9, I could count the days I wore pants to school. I even wore a skirt as my "camp uniform" in Pathfinders and Cadets. Somehow along the way I got dragged into pant/jeans wearing. Part of it came from being unhappy with my body, I've always fought with my weight (thanks PCOS). It was easier to hide under a large t shirt.

I've since read Deuteronomy 22, v. 5:
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

And 1 Timothy 2, v.9:
... women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

I've decided that Ella and I will be dresses only. I have yet to find anything I can't do in a skirt. I even drive the tractor for Colin when he's baling straw. It's a matter of finding an appropriate width and length for comfort and safety. My best work dress is actually an old maternity jumper. It's a-line in shape and made from very sturdy denim.

A lot of women seem to think modest means frumpy (more Feminist brainwashing if you ask me). This is not true. God created women, He made us beautiful with bodies that please our husbands. Why should we insult this gift from God by covering it with an ugly sack? It is just as easy to wear nice fitting, pretty clothes as it is to wear something ugly and frumpy. I like to wear cape dresses, I think they are very nice and I always pick a pretty fabric. But I wear many different styles.

There is a wide range of opinion on what makes a dress modest. I'm sure my ideas are not the same as everyone. For instance, I have no problem with sleeveless dresses. Mine are nice fitting and don't show bra straps or anything. We have summers that often hit 110F with crazy humidity. God made me a winter girl, so I need to try and keep cool. But my dresses fit well and don't gap or show too much of anything. Most of my dresses have elbow length sleeves, that's what I prefer now that I have heavier arms. All my dresses are "tea length",i.e., mid-calf. Any longer and I start to look dumpy since I'm only 5 ft.

If I ever lose this extra weight again, I have some beautiful Edwardian and 50's style dresses that I want to make. I really like the ones on this page.

The Ladies Against Feminism have a number of links of ladies showing themselves going through their week in dresses/skirts. I don't have a week's worth of dresses to show you, and I couldn't find a photographer for action shots :) But here are a few of my dresses.

This is one of my going out dresses. -->
Colin was taking me out for supper. Sorry about the odd angle on these. I'm not good at taking my own picture (and I hate having my picture taken).

<-- This one is from the winter, for chilly days at home. It's actually a maternity one too, but I made the apron to go over it, so I have a waist again -ha ha.


Not so flattering action shot, but it show that I can garden in a dress -->




This is one of my favourites. The underneath piece is a pettiblouse, slip and blouse in one. No more fighting with tops that always come untucked and uncomfortable. I have a deep crocheted lace border on the slip and it just peaks out from under the jumper. Colin likes it -which is my main aim :)

I have nothing against skirts and blouses. I just find it easier at this time of life and at this size (that I'm not happy with) to toss on a dress and be done.