Back in the news

Modesty and indecent exposure back in the news.  This time from our neighbors accross the pond: England.   According to the Huffingon Post, the Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority has banned several ads recently due to “The majority of the complaints to the ASA were that the ad campaign was offensive because it was sexually suggestive, indecent, provocative, glamorised casual sex, and objectified and demeaned women.”  The ads for deodorant featured celebrities in bikinis, nothing new, but these ads were offensive in their taglines.  Read and view it if you want more info: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/26/banned-deodorant-ads-uk-lucy-pinder-lynx_n_1113958.html?ref=mostpopular

What this is really saying is that modesty in dress and actions is important.  The British authority received over 113 complaints after the ads aired.   The advertisers response was that the ads were ” ‘were designed to be playful, sexy and humorous but not to cause offense.'”  Well, think again.

Your values and morals are projected in everthing you wear and say.  Take a second look before you leave the house and think before you speak.  Rememer you can find comfortable modest clothes at http://www.modesty4me.com

Enough said.

Modest Evening Out

Modest Evening Out

Lace jacket
£50 – houseoffraser.co.uk

TopShop cropped jacket
$110 – topshop.com

Long skirt
€129 – impressionen.de

Bailey 44 long pleated skirt
$97 – stylebop.com

Tiered maxi skirt
rarefashion.co.uk

Lace heels
boohoo.com

Mary jane shoes heels
$30 – spirithalloween.com

Miu miu shoes
$695 – miumiu.com

Travel handbag
$19 – stylesforless.com

Long earrings
$15 – fredflare.com

Modest lace camis
modesty4me.com

Bohemian hair accessory
haircutshairstyles.com

Modest Evening Out

Modest Evening Out

All Saints slim fit leather jacket
$395 – allsaints.com

Lace jacket
£50 – houseoffraser.co.uk

TopShop cropped jacket
$110 – topshop.com

Bailey 44 long pleated skirt
$97 – stylebop.com

Long skirt
€129 – impressionen.de

Tiered maxi skirt
rarefashion.co.uk

Miu miu shoes
$695 – miumiu.com

Mary jane shoes heels
$30 – spirithalloween.com

Lace heels
boohoo.com

Travel handbag
$19 – stylesforless.com

Long earrings
$15 – fredflare.com

Bebaroque floral scarve
€88 – pret-a-beaute.com

Create your own style

Wow! I am hooked on polyvore.com  Design your own outfit.  It’s like being the fashion editor of a national magazine.  Move over Nina Garcia. You will have thousands of styles to choose from including all the items from modesty4me.com.  All the items link directly to the online store they are sold on.  Try doing a seach for Old Navy and mix and match them with generic denim skirts or one of my modest tees.  Have fun, you may get hooked.

Modest dress

Modest dress

Dorothy Perkins high heel booties
င᐀ᅐð荠䁕싸䃙

denim days

denim days

Old Navy belted jacket
$55 – oldnavy.gap.com

RHYTHM blue skirt
$69 – territoryahead.com

Old Navy synthetic leather boots
$23 – oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy shoes
$31 – oldnavy.gap.com

Cut out oxford
$45 – modcloth.com

Old Navy tote hand bag
$12 – oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy slouchy hat
$13 – oldnavy.gap.com

Just make it work

Now that it has cooled off dressing modestly is even easier.  The layered look is simple now that you need the extra layers to stay warm.  Being modest does not have to mean looking frumpy.  This up to date look uses the popular “hoodie” paired with a high neckline cami and the essential denim skirt.  Add some boots and a colorful scarf for a finished look.  Of course, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out.

When I was growing up, layering always meant tucking  the shirt in, then the jacket on the outside.  I still remember the first time I saw the shirt untucked with a jacket was Barbara Streisand  in The Prince of Tides.    At the time I think it was to hide her middle, she never did have a small waist.  The trend did not catch on and we continued to tuck our shirts in.  It has only been in the last few years that this style has changed.  The other disaster of the 80’s was the shoulder pads, head bands and leg warmers.  Thank goodness those are gone.

So start layering, small outer layer, long inner layer.  Your definition of modest may mean a longer skirt, or longer sleeves.  As Tim Gunn of Project Runway always says “Make it work”

Abracadabra

How much cleavage should you show, and where?  It was recently reported in the Huffington Post that a photo of a member of the Canadian Parliment had been photoshopped.  The revised photo was done by Contrian, a Canadian politiacal blog.  What was the offensive culprit in the photo?  The cleavage, of course.

Now you see it, now you don't

When is it approriate to show cleavage and when is it not?  Many would say never.

Women in the workplace today are subject to sexual harrassment, intimidation and unwelcome advances.  Not to put the blame on the woman, but some these action occur when she is wearing low cut or provacative clothing.  Although everyone has the right to dress the way they want; modesty dressing sets the stage for more respect.  The less visual cues you give the opposite sex, the less action.  You don’t have to wear a turtle neck and a skirt to the floor to be modest.  Take a look at the style suggestions on my site.  Learn to be modest without being frumpy.

A trip to the local mall today or a search on the web will reveal a large percentage of women’s clothing is low cut.  Even for teens and kids.  Low V necklines don’t even cover your bra!  So what are you to do.

This is why I have “reinvented” the camisole and designed dresses that cover all.

Check them out at http://www.modesty4me.com/.  You can search the entire web including shopping comparison sites and not find another camisole like mine.

 

 

 

 

My homework

Being the owner of Modesty4Me,  I was recently asked by my IT department to write an essay that could be used in my site that was keyword rich and would help the mysterious search engines find me.  What a task to write it without being redundant and including the same thing said 10 different ways and a handful of obscure words to boot.  The result follows and the IT guy seemed to like it , so I decided to just post it here:

Welcome to Modesty4me.

If this is your first visit, I hope you find all the modest clothes for women you have been looking for.  Whether you are conservative, funky or frum; we have the perfect camis, tops and dresses to achieve a modern or even trendy modest look.

Every apparel item featured on this site has been expressly designed and manufactured to meet specific standards.  The elbow length sleeve, below the knee or calf length hemlines and high necklines comprise the basis for my designs.  Shopping for these combinations is all but impossible in today’s market place.  A trip to the local mall usually yields a high percentage of revealing clothing that does not meet the standards of today’s modern modest woman.

I hope to provide a resource for you to find these essential wardrobe components all in one place.  Mix and match my items with the jackets and
skirts in your closet.  You may be amazed at the new combinations you can come up with.   No more tugging on your top to stay in place.  My new high cut camisole will solve your problems in an instant. You will also stay cool and comfortable.  Made in USA, my garments are high quality and
meant to last.

Modesty is defined as being free from vanity and boastfulness with regard to decency of behavior, speech and dress. Often people who practice a modest lifestyle are considered demure and unpretentious. Their outward appearance projects a modicum of shyness or diffidence.

Various cultures throughout history define modesty differently.  In the Middle East, for instance, covering the entire body, even the face and
head, with a burkha is required.  It is said that his practice is a symbol of virtue and is meant to prevent impure thoughts in men and save them from themselves.  This practice dates back to 200 AD and is still strictly enforced today in some countries.

The opposite extreme is indigenous to some African countries where clothing is totally optional.  The amount of clothing worn depends on its
function such as warmth or protection from the elements.  This practice is socially acceptable and other forms of body decorations are utilized to symbolize purity.

Thankfully things are different here in America.  For virtuous teenage girls, a clean, pure external look reflects their chaste interior.  This holds true when you recognize the many religious groups including Pentecostal, LDS and others where modesty is a way of life.  Within these groups, is it the
female that practices this approach.   They remain unassuming, humble & reserved.  Their conservative appearance is the norm rather than the exception.

Despite rampant immodesty all around us in the media, it is still true that proper attire does have an impact on how you are perceived.  Character,
intelligence and morals are more important than physical beauty and obviously more evident when one is traditionally dressed in a blouse and skirt as opposed to tight jeans.  Teens, tweeners and girls can be attractive without looking like the proverbial harlot.  Decent clothing that covers well exudes respectability, decorum and restraint as well as classic taste.

In addition to the women described above, there is also a need for more coverage in clothing for alternate reasons.  The brave women of America who are breast cancer survivors have expressed dismay at all the low cut tops on the market today.  Our no cleavage camis offer a great solution for post mastectomy clothes.  Even woman who want to cover a cardiac surgical scar are delighted at our new cami design.

All in all, it seems that modesty is subjective to most, dictated to some and optional to others.  Personally I hope the trend continues and
helps restore family values in America.   We have laws against indecent exposure, but no laws to mandateappropriate attire.  The choice is yours.

From lace camis to long dresses, if you are looking for modest apparel; we’ve got you covered.  So start shopping and come back often.  New designs will be added as often as possible.  Pass the word to everyone you know that wants to set their own trend.   Remember, modesty does not mean dowdy, frumpy or blah.  Have some fun, create a look and get noticed for who you really are.

Thanks for reading, Cindy