What’s a girl’s best friend? If given the answer, some
women might say their kindred spirit; others might say the man on their arm;
for some it might be the iphone that never leaves their side. Or for some it
could be that certain shade of lipstick or eyeliner, a sassy pair of heals, the
dress that hugs their curves in all the right ways. There is a wide range of possibilities
to answer the above question. But really there is one answer better than them
all – modesty.
Yes, a girl’s best friend is her ability to hide what’s
there.
The irony behind that answer though is that we live in a
world where modesty is hardly praised anymore. No one cares if they show a
little more skin than what should be appropriate, if their midriff is revealing,
or if their cleavage is apparent. In fact, today in our western society,
immodesty is accepted, the norm, praised, and sought for.
With the mass media running rampant on Miley’s newest
revealing wardrobe and twirking and Gaga’s barely there outfit, it’s no wonder
women are putting on less. But at one point in time, women like Miley, Gaga,
and so many others, would have another word used to describe their A+ attire –
whore.
Gasp. Shock. Yes, I said it. Even though the word is flippantly
used today, it still holds a very dirty context that makes the receiver blush.
Centuries, even decades ago, women actually dressed in
style without baring it all. Somehow in our twisted minds we’ve allowed
ourselves to believe the lies that less is best. But it’s not. How is less
best? If we think that’s what men want, then yes we are right…but, not for a
woman that they actually consider taking home to momma and building a family
with. Men don’t want a gal whose given herself to every other man she’s crossed
paths with just by wearing clothes that show off extra skin.
I’ll never forget in college, listening to my now husband
and several other guy friends discussing what they thought about most of the
girls walking around campus. They found it ridiculous, a turn off, and unattractive
when a girl strolled to class in her shortest pair of shorts and tight-fitting,
low cut top. Oh yes, their eyes were drawn to her. How could they not be? Men
are visual. But not once did I ever hear my husband or any of the other guys
say that they respected that girl or wanted to get to know her. No, all she was
to them was a piece of meat, flesh, sexuality, an object – not a human being.
Men want a girl who leaves room for imagination. They don’t
want to see it all when they walk out of the house. And they certainly don’t
want their woman baring all for everyone else when they really want that to be
theirs and theirs alone. In fact, my husband doesn’t even like it when I wear
tank tops outside of the privacy of our home. Which at first was hard for me to
understand. We live in a state where our summer’s are hot and humid. I do my
best to be not wear anything revealing. I make sure I layer so nothing
unnecessary is shown, but to him, that extra skin – my shoulders, collar bone,
and whatever else might be seen – that’s for his eyes only.
It’s okay to want to be sexy. To want appeal to man’s eyes.
But in the right way. Remember Victoria’s Secret, the name says it all –
secret!
Some of the sexiest women to me are those who’ve covered it
up. I’m a huge fan of the black and white and washed-out colored films. Roman Holiday, Bundle of Joy, Swing Time
and so many others. Those women were sexy and they didn’t have to flaunt
everything they had. Okay, some did push a few limits with a bit more cleavage
than others, but for the most part they kept themselves covered up.
(http://lipstickheelsandababy.blogspot.com/2013/07/be-pretty.html)
Audrey Hepburn is the very essence of class and sex-appeal.
Everyone is almost in agreement there. Audrey didn’t show off everything she
had. More women need to model their fashion sense after her rather than our
superstar women of today. Our reveal-all celebrities today hold less respect,
while Audrey had both sexiness and reverence from men and women alike.
Not only should we cover it up because of the way we are
viewed in others eyes, or for the respectability we deserve, but God also
expects it.
“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in
respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and
gold or pearls or costly attire,” 2 Timothy 2:9.
“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that
fears the Lord is to be praised,” Proverbs 31:30
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price,” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Recently, I came across a video where a fashion designer,
Jessica Rey, speaks of modesty and her clothing line. In her short speech, she
hits head on the dangers of dressing provocatively and the pros of a wholesome
appearance. I hope you enjoy this clip as much as I did.
What's your take on modesty? Who's your fashion inspiration?
