The Many Definitions of Christian Modest Clothing- Apostolic Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational

The Many Definitions of Christian Modest Clothing- Apostolic Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational

When it comes to modest fashion in Christianity, the definition of modesty depends mostly on your faith. You can be extremely fashionable and be a modest Christian at the same time. Your denomination usually sets the standards of what’s modest and what’s not. Have you ever noticed that different Christians dress differently? It really all depends on where you go to worship. Let’s take a look at the difference between modest wear in Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and Non-Denominational Christian churches.

Pentecostals

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When you walk into an Apostolic or Pentecostal church you may notice all of the women looking similar. Pentecostal Christian women wear long maxi skirts. They also wear long sleeves. Their idea of modesty includes keeping these body parts covered. Even In the hotter months, Pentecostal women and girls will wear a skirt that stops at the calves, or anywhere below the knee. When doing this, they must wear stockings to cover their exposed skin. There must also be a long sleeve shirt worn under all short sleeve tops. No makeup or jewelry is to be worn as well. These enhancements are seen as provocative. This style of dress must be maintained both in and out of the church.

 

Seventh Day Adventist

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Seventh Day Adventist women also do not wear makeup or jewelry because it is not considered modest to do so. Adornments are to be made in other ways.  The actual style of dress isn’t as strict as Pentecostals. Seventh Day Adventists are not required to wear long skirts and long sleeve shirts. Although dress codes may differ upon where you worship, for the most part being dressed in business casual attire and/or professional wear is seen as acceptable. These rules are to be followed both in and out of the church.

 

Non-Denominational Christians

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Non-Denominational Christians have a more open dressing policy. The main goal is to not expose nor purposefully accentuate the sexual parts of the body. This is really the only rule for obtaining modesty. When attending services, however, you must be covered. If a skirt or dress stops above or at the knee, a scarf should be placed over your lap to cover your bare knees. In most churches a scarf or cloth will be given to you if you do not have one. This dress code can vary depending on the church. You may also dress as casually as you like. There are no particular rules for dress outside of the church although it is important to represent your faith no matter where you are. Modesty in Non-Denominational churches is more about the heart than outer appearances.

5 Cleavage Cover-up Fixes for Modest Tops

5 Cleavage Cover-up Fixes for Modest Tops

Cropped Tank Top

Cropped Tank Top

Leafing through the clothing racks at the average department store, women who choose to dress modestly sometimes don’t find much to choose from. Tops are a particular source of trouble, because so many of the available shirts are designed with necklines that reveal too much cleavage.

But there’s good news – a low-cut top can be brought up to standard, so you don’t have to pass it by after all. If you’ve found a shirt that works in terms of its color, fabric, sleeve and hem design, there are plenty of ways to doctor the neckline, so it can become a real asset to your modest wardrobe.

 

 

Here are 5 neckline fixes to try:

    1. Head out to the thrift store and purchase a colorful tank top that harmonizes with the color of the top you want to adjust. Look for something that’s much too small – a children’s tank will do. Then cut out a triangle that can be sewn inside that plunging neckline. You can also attach this add-on coverage with snaps, to allow for different color combinations.
teenecks

Kosher Casual’s TeeNeck®

  1. For a more delicate look, a lace-edged triangle will do the trick. This will also dress up a casual top.
  2. If you don’t have the time or inclination to get out needle and thread, commercially-available neckline extenders known as “TeeNecks” are a great option. Pop these over your head, then wear the shirt you need to fix on top. TeeNecks give you the coverage you need, without adding bulk.
  3. Layering that low-cut top over another shirt is an obvious way to breach the gap between the fashion designer’s vision and your standards of modesty. If the weather’s cool, layering a full shirt can add cozy comfort. It not, choose a cropped top. Cropped tops are built to stay stably in place, while adding coverage only where it’s needed.
  4. Sometimes skimpy tank tops – the type you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing in public – can actually serve as a modesty solution. Try wearing a tank top backwards as an under-layer (after removing any tags that might show). This brings the neckline up to where you need it, and turns a low-cut shirt into the basis for an outfit you’ll be happy to wear.
Denim Skirts – Because Basic is Beautiful

Denim Skirts – Because Basic is Beautiful

Classic, casual and oh-so comfortable. For me, denim skirts are a wardrobe staple. Not only do they get me out of the house in the morning – looking good – denim skirts get me through the day with style that can be dialed up or down, depending on the occasion.

Button-Front Knee Length Jean Skirt for Women

1805-Stonewashed Blue

Notice that I said denim “skirts”, meaning more than one. While some people might dismiss denim skirts as just Levis without the legs, there’s actually a wide range of denim skirt styles out there.

So don’t settle. Instead of choosing just a “generic” denim skirt, make the most of this fashion essential by shopping for designs that look best on your body, and fit your individual fashion style.

Classic Details – Or Not

The classic blue denim work pants created by Levi Strauss have become a symbol of America, and also create a classic template from which to launch your own fashion statement. Pair it with anything from a t-shirt to a cashmere turtleneck, choose an eye-catching belt or let your top skim over the waistband, and you’re in business.

Some women prefer a smooth, pocket-free look, and in this department, denim skirts can also fit the bill. A hidden zipper on the side or in the center of the back make this type of denim skirt the basis of a casual, yet elegant silhouette.

Beyond Blue, Beyond Denim

Denim skirt materials vary, and you can make the most of your outfit by choosing the one that works for you. Heavy denim can be “doctored” with a touch of spandex, or replaced altogether with a stretch twill that provides the denim skirt look, without the bulk. You can also find denim skirts with full spandex waistbands, designed to be hidden under an un-tucked top.

From light to dark blue, to black, to every color of the rainbow – you can find denim skirt styles that “push the fashion envelope” while still giving you the classic, casual look you adore.

1492-Stonewashed Black Jean Skirt

1492-Stonewashed Black

Special Style Options

If you – or your daughter – want a kicky alternative to classic, try a ruffle denim skirt, or a tiered cut that takes denim to a new and interesting level.

Denim skirts can also be distinctive on the long and short ends of the scale. Some floor-length denim skirts are built from vertical panels that add style, while flattering fuller figures. If you feel comfortable with a higher hemline, a denim skirt’s everyday appeal allows you the option of pairing it with leggings, colorful tights or – especially in winter – a fabulous pair of boots.

In short (or in long) – denim skirts help you make the most out of what’s already in your closet, by giving you a flexible jumping-off point for fashion, creativity and fun. Enjoy!

Dressing Modestly – The Golden Rule

Dressing Modestly – The Golden Rule

Women who choose to dress modestly come from all kinds of backgrounds, and their reasons for dressing modestly vary. Moreover, a commitment to modesty can harmonize with a huge range of styles and personal tastes in fashion. So the question remains: what does it actually mean to dress modestly?

If there’s one “golden rule” that sums up dressing modestly, it’s this: your clothing choice should enhance your attractiveness as a total person, rather than attracting the eye to one particular part of your body.
Think about it – a hemline that’s just a little too short draws eyes downward toward your legs. Heels that are just a little too showy and high can do the same thing for your ankles, even if your knees and lower legs are modestly covered. And of course, an overly-revealing neckline will make your chest the star of the show.

While all of these fashion faux-pas are problematic in terms of the rules of modesty – however we define them – the greater problem is how this type of immodest dressing causes us to be seen as a collection of body parts, rather than a dignified, and attractive human soul.

There’s no question that our clothing choices affect the way the world sees us. That’s why modest dressing is so important – it creates a beautiful “frame” for showcasing the beauty we all hold inside.

“Attractive, Not Attracting” – A Strategy for Teens and Parents

rssTeaching the benefits of this fashion philosophy to our daughters can be difficult, especially when we don’t want to get into power struggles about modesty. So here’s another shorthand method for determining an outfit’s overall modesty quotient.

Ask your daughter to look into the mirror and answer the following question for herself: Is what I’m wearing “attractive” or “attracting”?
Even without getting into a discussion of specifics (or taking a disciplinary ruler to her shirtsleeve!), most girls recognize that subjective moment when clothing crosses over into impropriety. This little exercise will also help her form a firm foundation of self-respect, knowing that she understands and controls that fine line between wearing an outfit that enhances her beauty and expresses her spirit, and wearing one that advertises her “availability”.

Good luck!

Waist Watchers for Modest Dressers

Waist Watchers for Modest Dressers

As a modest dresser, I insist on sensible coverage. But I also insist on a look that is feminine, not frumpy. My favorite way to approach this challenge is to accentuate the positive – that is, the naturally attractive curve of the female waist.

Let’s be clear here: I’m not talking about waist-whittling undergarments, or fabrics that cling so tight that they leave nothing to the imagination. Whether you’re choosing a skirt, dress or top, a tailored, waist-skimming treatment of your midriff can add dignity, and even a touch of glamour.

Let’s look at some of the options.

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Ruched Waistbands: The Vintage Advantage

Remember those glamorous gals in the Hollywood movies of the 40s and 50s? You don’t have to look like Rita Hayworth to benefit from the way that gently gathered material at the waist creates an instant hourglass shape, while drawing attention away from both the bosom and the hips.

This type of waistband adds a touch of elegance and interest in everything from a full-length dress to a casual skirt or top.

 

 

spandex waist skirt 1490 with text

Spandex is a Girl’s Best Friend

Forget full-body spandex – skin-tight leotards and tights are just not my style. But a little spandex goes a long way, especially when it’s hidden at the waistline.

I love the comfort that comes from a spandex waistband. Not only does it allow me to adjust the length of a skirt with just a little tug, it’s designed to be tucked away under a hip-skimming or tailored top. This gives me a look that’s curvaceous… not flirtatious!

 

 

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High Waisted Comfort

They say that a waist is a terrible thing to mind. Still, I admit: some days, I’d rather dress in a way that leaves my curves to the imagination. For an easy, flowing feeling, try a high-waisted skirt that adds a little swing to your step. This high waisted, mid-calf pencil skirt is ultra-feminine and helps me step out in confidence.

 

Modest Fashion Network!

Modest Fashion Network!

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Modest Fashion Network is a brand new global community for fashionistas who honor their bodies by clothing themselves with dignity and purity. Married or not, these women choose to adorn themselves with the latest or with timeless fashion, without the pressure of showing more and more skin, as demanded by the world.

To celebrate these brave women, MFN is choosing five blog posts every week from their members! You will find below the first ever group of five to be chosen! Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, read on, and leave comments if you like!

If you’d like to be part of our weekly digest, head on over to Modest Fashion Network to apply and submit your blog posts every week.

Please visit our featured modest fashion stores: Kosher CasualGalerie a la ModestModesty4Me

 

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