observation
topic: modest
clothing
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...know you probably receive numerous e-mails like this, but
I wanted to let you know about a new site that may be of
interest to you and your readers. We are a new website
offering chic and trendy modest clothing for women, allowing
them to maintain modesty without sacrificing fashion.
We are a Christian family owned and operated business. Our
web address is
www.christa-taylor.com. We would love for you to check
us out. If you are interested I have also attached a word
document explaining a little bit more about who we are and
what our mission is. We are committed to extending the
gospel and social justice around the world. Thanks so much
for your time and consideration. We are big fans of your
site. Keep up the good work. Sincerely... "
To which I replied:
Thank you for your letter this morning and for the work you’re
doing on behalf of women searching for clothing that will be
modest and appropriate. I will link to your site from ours and
will place a note with the caption of “modish clothing” and I
truly do hope that you do well in your endeavor to provide to
the market for modest clothing. And you do have a market—women
of all ages. Be careful.
I
must add a small note here… I have a couple of reservations…. I
think the clothing you assembled is nice and for the most part
appears “modest.”
You know, that term: modest, has come to mean different things
to different people. For some, modest means covering the skin.
For some, the term defines style, appearance and price. For
others, the term frames the desire to not bring undue attention
to one’s self. For still others, the term is employed when a
woman understands the Scriptural imperative to not defraud or to
not tempt another to lust or to, in strictest terms, cause
another to commit adultery in heart. Some think that modesty is
only a matter of the heart –that each person is inherently
responsible for his or her eyes and that modesty is simply that:
an inward disposition. Some think that modesty can be achieved
by simply covering skin and not acting in a provocative manner.
I
believe all of the above statements are true and relevant and
so, for that reason, I would simply suggest that some of the
garments you offer are cause for some concern --- the low slung
skirts are suggestive and a couple of the other outfits are,
too. O, I know that my saying that might be met with an instant
reaction of rejection. But ask any man---ask yourself, perhaps:
where are the eyes drawn? The plaid blouse and the crocheted
sweater are examples of drawing eyes to the bust area –the
skirts to the hip and lower abdomen. I would simply suggest
that looking to improve the world’s fashion will be simply that:
still the world and still whatever it dictates… always
scrambling to come up with a modest version of the fads of the
day.
In the end, you may just take these thoughts with a grain of
salt. But it is my hope that the grain of salt will leave a
thirst for the truth. Modesty –true modesty– matters.
Simply offering more fabric to Madison Avenue won’t make it
modest. I liken it to concentrating on teaching “godly
character” to the unsaved. They will simply be polite sinners
still lost in their sin… politely, eternally separated from
God. What we pray for is true regeneration. And that will be
seen in outward appearance.
I
would not write these things if I didn’t truly stand by them,
nor if another weren’t seeking to offer an alternative to what’s
passed off in the world for Christian women.
In the end, I pray you do well, I pray the LORD’s blessing and
guidance and that He will have preeminence. Stand by what you
do, stand by what you say. In the end, to God be the glory.
In His hands,
---pamela"
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Sent:
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 9:23 AM
Subject: new
modest clothing website