How to Dress Modestly at School

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9

These days provocative clothing is everywhere, on television, in shop windows, and everywhere on the street. Mini skirts and short shorts are the standard summer-wear, along with halter tops and spaghetti straps. Most girls wear such provocative clothing because they want to fit in or because they like the attention others give them. After all, they say, everyone else is dressing this way, so there’s nothing wrong with it. Right?

It’s hard for young girls not to fall into this trap. Abercrombie and Fitch boasts its “highest-quality, casual, all-American lifestyle clothing for aspiring men and women.” I want everyone to look closely at the following pictures from their website and ask yourself, what would people who wear these clothes be aspiring to be?

Now read the following Bible verse and see if any of these clothes are appropriate according to God. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but which becometh women professing godliness with good works” (1 Timothy 2: 9-10). Would you feel comfortable wearing these clothes in front of your minister? (Especially considering the first one is a dress!) What’s really sad is that all of these clothes are a very common sight anywhere you go. Even in school, girls are dressing more provocatively. How can we expect our young men to learn anything when girls wearing only two inches of material are constantly distracting them? Mini shirts and short shorts are everywhere, from popular teen stores at the mall to Wal-mart. If you refused to shop at any store that sold clothing like this, there would be nowhere left to shop! The key is to always keep in mind how God wants us to look. Christian girls can shop at most stores; we just can’t wear everything that store sells. American Eagle sells tiny shorts, but they also sell capris. The same holds true for almost any store. Just keep in mind that you have a choice in how you dress, and that what you wear reflects who you are and how people perceive you. The world judges us on how we appear, and so we are to be a light to the world, leading them to God. The problem is, how can we lead people to God when all they notice is the skin that should be covered up? We must consider God in everything we do, say, and wear. Everything reflects upon us, and when we tell people we are Christians, it reflects the congregation you attend and, most importantly, God himself. Keep this in mind the next time you’re talking to your friends. How do your friends really see you?

We all want to look cute that first day back to school; we just have to remember that we can look great and please God at the same time. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Remember that while what you wear may seem like a big deal today, life goes on, and in ten years you won’t even remember or care about what you wore in middle and high school. Your clothes make a statement about who you are, so let your statement be for God.

Let’s look at some cute—and modest!—clothes (and accessories) that are perfect for going back to school.

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Wal-mart Bermuda Shorts $14.72

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American Eagle Demin Capris $39.50

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American Eagle Empire Waist Dress $19.99

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Kohls $25.20 Tops $24.00

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JCPenney $39.99 Active Wear $19.99

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Payless $19.99 Shoes $11.99

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Old Navy $12.50 Bags $19.50

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By Alicia Marie Sargent

Dressing modestly is important!

Take a good look at this picture. Two girls, both wearing cute swimsuits, but the girl on the right has her stomach showing. Does it really make a difference? Look at it from a boy’s perspective. The girl on the left is pretty and confident, and she looks like she’s fun to talk to. The girl on the right is wearing a very small swimsuit, which is the same as seeing her in her underwear. Not only can you see her stomach and legs, but you can also see her breasts peeking out. If she bends over, a guy would get a good view and could easily picture her naked. So, does it make a difference?

Why do Christian women need to dress modestly? When God created man, He made him to be attracted to woman. When teenage boys, or even older men, see a girl dressed in a mini skirt or a bikini, they become turned on because they can easily imagine what she looks like without any clothes at all! “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” (Romans 14:21). We need to be very careful how we dress because we can become a stumbling block to young men trying to find and obey God. When we dress provocatively, we invite guys to lust over us, and when they see us dressed like that they assume we are easy. Our bodies are for our husbands to see and desire, after we’re married, and for no one else.

Always remember that as Christians we are the light in the world and it is our job to reflect Christ. A first impression is very important in this. Let’s say you’re walking down the street and you see two girls. One is wearing a mini skirt, high-heeled shoes, a tube top, and huge hoop earrings. She has lots of make-up on, and she’s flirting with three boys standing around her. The other girl is wearing a pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt. She has her hair in a ponytail and is pretty while having only a little make-up on. If you were to choose which one of them was most likely a Christian which would you pick? I think the choice is obvious, and so is the point. The way we dress influences the way people think about us. If we want people to take us seriously as Christians, we have to dress the part.

You don’t have to be covered from head to toe to be modest, but you do have to be careful about shorts and skirts that go too far above the knee, or shirts that scoop down so low you can see the top of your breasts. Be proud of being a Christian, and take time each day to dress nicely and do your hair and make-up. It’s okay to want to look pretty, but there is a clear difference between pretty and immodest. Remember, your body is God’s temple and it’s your responsibility to keep it sacred. Your parents won’t always be there to tell you that your shirt is too short, so why not start making better decisions now.

Choose a style to flatter your body!

Divine Suits has great modest swim wear tips, some of which I will include below.

Large Chest: Choose a style that has solid, dark colors, with accessories such as piping or colored trim. This will de-emphasize your full chest, while bringing attention to other accessories of your suit. Also, the style you choose will need to have a full bra for complete support. The neckline should be simple yet flattering, but should not bring attention to your chest.

Thick Mid-section: Choose a style that has shirring in the middle, or wrap-waist styles. These accessories create an illusion of a smaller stomach. Shirring shapes you and gives a sophisticated look.

Thick Waist: Consider a style with no shirring or accessories in the waist. A simple neckline accompanied with a straight line of style is best—it will bring less attention to your waist.

Small to Medium Chest: Choose any style of tops with solid bright colors, prints, or two-tone colors to give a fuller look without compromising on modesty.

Balance Smaller Bust with Wider Hips: Choose a lighter or patterned top with solid or darker bottoms. Bust or neckline details like piping, bands, sashes or shirring in the middle will flatter this shape as well.

Our Favorites:

$ 0 – 30

$$ 30 – 50

$$$ 50+

Keep in mind that companies now sell tops, bottoms, and skirts separately. And it’s okay to spend a little more on a modest swimsuit that you’re going to keep for a while (there are cute ones out there!). Make sure you feel comfortable in your swimsuit. Take your friends or mom shopping with you for a second opinion on how the suit looks.

Modbe

Modbe is a web store that offers cute, modest swimsuits for girls. Their motto? Modern is as Modest be.

Price Guide

Tops: $$

Bottoms: $

Skirts: $$

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Ohana

Ohana sells one- and two-piece swimsuits that are very surfer chick and very cute. The company is named Ohana because it’s all about family and all about being modest.

Price Guide

One Piece: $$$

Tops: $$

Bottoms: $$

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Target

Target is a store that’s near just about everyone, and even if there isn’t one near you, you can always shop online. Target sells many different types of swimsuits; the trick is to find one that is both modest and cute!

Price Guide

One Piece: $$

Tops: $

Bottoms: $

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Kohl’s

Kohl’s sells a variety of cute swimsuits and can be found in most large cities or online. However, you’re not going to find a one-piece here, so make sure you’re comfortable with a tankini before you go shopping.

Price Guide

Tops: $

Bottoms: $

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Pick a swimsuit that you feel confident and pretty in, but that is also modest. Have fun this summer at the pool, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Alicia Marie Sargent

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