Mormon Life - Modesty tag

Washington Post: 'London Calling' for teens at Mormon prom

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:39:00 -0600

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Kind of cool that the Washington Post picked up a story on "Mormon prom." A procession of limousines dropped off young people dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns to the Annandale, Virginia stake center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last weekend. When the teens entered, they were welcomed with a London theme, adorned with British Union Jacks and other trimmings.

There were British soldiers posted outside the building, ladies with fashionable hats welcoming couples and a towering replica of London’s “Big Ben,” clock that loomed over a dance floor in the gym that was filled with teenagers dancing to the sounds of Michael Jackson.

Modesty, faith often cut from the same cloth

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:32:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Modesty — so often interchangeable for "frumpy" in an ultra-modern age — is still a widely held conviction for many faiths. Parents of any faith who try to instill an appreciation for modesty must fight against the cultural tide preaching an opposing message.

Many cultures work to preserve modesty. The GMA Network recently reported on "The Beauty of Modesty" at an Islamic fashion show, saying, "The festival was able to establish Islamic fashion’s presence in the global arena, and it enticed Muslims and non-Muslims alike to take interest in the often overlooked ensemble. …

Modesty and the Middle Class

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:06:00 -0600

source: the-exponent.com

Mormon Life says: This blogger talks about a different kind of modesty than the one that covers your knees. I like it. In this week's cover story about survivalists, I speak with a man who identifies himself only as "Bowreeguard," who hails from hard-granite New Hampshire and says that prepping was a way of life for his family when he was growing up.

The eldest son of his family, Bowreeguard learned to keep supplies on hand, use a gun, and plan ahead. Sometimes this will prove you wrong -- he sadly recalls how he spent years working on an underground bunker for Y2K, only to see nothing happen -- but there's that same good feeling in preparing.

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Modest Swimsuits 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Swimsuit season: there's no need to dread it anymore because cute and modest swimsuits not only exist – they seem to be everywhere! Check out this season's offerings.

Only two years ago I felt stymied in my attempts to find a modest swimsuit for a family cruise – they all looked like they were meant for someone 40 years my senior or someone who really wanted to live in the 90s. I stumbled upon one of the few beautiful and modest pieces out there just in time.

But now, it seems fashionable, feminine suits are everywhere! Polka dots continue to be popular, but there are also a few cute plaids out there this year. I bet you'll find something you'll like here.

Note: One person's idea of "modest" might not exactly square with someone else's, but these are swimsuits I think might generally be considered modest.

Photo from Downeast Basics

Retro Revival Suit, $49.99

Photo from Old Navy

Women's Twist-Front Control Max Swimsuit, $44.94

Photo from Downeast Basics

Silver Screen Suit, $49.99

Photo from ModBe

Islander Top, $50

Photo from Walmart

Catalina Women's Retro Tank Swimsuit, $15

Photo from Lime Ricki

Floral Retro One Piece, $61.99

Photo from Gap

Bandeau one-piece, $59.95

Photo from Lime Ricki

Gingham Retro One Piece, $61.99

Photo from Old Navy

Women's Ruffle Tankini Top, $24.94 (bottoms $19.94)

Photo from Divinita Sole

Flower Ruched Tankini, $99

Photo from Divinita Sole

Square Halter, $99

Photo from Lime Ricki

Pink One-shoulder Tankini, $48.99

Photo from DownEast Basics

Malibu Swim Skirt, $26.99

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Shorts

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: We've scoured the stores to find you this season's best knee-length shorts – just in time for that delicious spring weather.

Photo from DownEast Basics--Heart Throb Shorts $44.99

Photo from Old Navy--Distressed Denim Bermudas $24.94

Photo from Old Navy--Cuffed Denim Bermudas $24.94

Photo from Banana Republic—Cotton Sateen Bermuda $49.50

Photo from Banana Republic—Button-pocket Bermuda $49.50

Photo from Piperlime—Mystic Saturday Crop $78.00

Photo from Macy’s—Tummy Control Denim $23.99

Photo from Macy’s—Denim Straight Leg $64

Photo from KneeShorts—Ladies’ Cargo Shorts $19.99

Photo from J. Crew—Summerweight Chino Short $49.50

Photo from New York & Company--Denim Bermuda Skinny Short $39.95

Photo from New York & Company--Demin Skinny Gotham Wash $39.95

Mormon Prom in California promotes high standards

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:30:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Southern California teenagers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the Mormon Prom on Saturday, March 17, at Soka University in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Youths ages 16-18 from the Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Laguna Niguel congregations were invited to join the annual event.

“It is all about having wholesome fun and a positive dating experience and being with a group of youth that share the same high standards,” said Marci Paul, the Young Women president for Foothill Ranch.

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Mar. 17-23

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of March 17 through March 23, 2012. We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of March 17 to 23, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. {A&E} Romance Novels: Another Form of Porn? {Ashley Bardsley}

2. {Lifetsyle} Vogue & Virtue: Modest Prom Dresses {Ashley Evanson}

3. {LDS How-to} Keep Your Kids Reverent in Church {Mandy Slack}

4. Eating Disorders: Not Just About Food {Kaela Worthen}

5. FHE: Perspective {Shauna Gibby}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. Arsons light LDS missionaries' car on fire {St. George News}

2. Anti-Mormonism bites Romney in South {CNN}

3. It's time to move past 'the Mormon Moment,' LDS official says {Washington Post}

4. LDS missionary in Brazil severely injured in bus accident {Deseret News}

5. BET interviews Gladys Knight on bringing soul to the ballroom {BET}

Top Video:

Artist of the Prophets: A BYU Professor's Work {BYU News}

{Lifestyle} Vogue & Virtue: Modest Prom Dresses

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It's that season again, when girls are on the hunt for the perfect prom dress. These are our picks for the most beautiful and modest options out there.

Photo from Twirl Prom.

Photo from A Dressy Occasion.

Photo from ModCloth.

Photo from Shabby Apple.

Photo from Twirl Prom.

Photo from Kelly Prom.

Photo from LatterDayBride.

Photo from Shabby Apple.

Photo from A Dressy Occasion.

Photo from ModCloth.

Photo from Beatifully Modest.

Photo from LatterDayBride.

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Roundup

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:48:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

I realize that modesty is interpreted slightly different for everyone. Some of these outfits might need an undershirt or slip extender, but in general, I found these ensembles to be both modest and fashionable. Here are a few of my favorite finds this week:

Photo from Shabby Apple

Photo from Clothed Much

Photo from Banana Republic

Photo from Meggie Lynne

Photo from Glam and Love

Photo from Jeana Sohn

Photo from Shabby Apple

Photo from ASOS

'For the Strength of Youth' over the years

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Mandy Slack
source: ldsliving.com

Mormon Life says: The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet has recently been changed and expanded. After reading about the changes, we were interested to see how this youth handbook has changed since its first publication in 1965. Here's what we found. (Make sure to check out the gallery of old FSOY covers!)

Whenever I’ve heard my mom or other women from earlier generations claim they couldn’t wear pants to school, I’ve treated their words as myths--kind of like the classic dad story about walking two miles to school in the snow and uphill both ways. But when I traipsed over to The Church History Library and looked through the For the Strength of Youth pamphlets from the past, I found hard evidence that it was, in fact, considered inappropriate for young women to wear pants to school and several other places.

Deep down, I always knew it was true, but I was still surprised when I saw that the first edition of the pamphlet, published in 1965, advised young women not to wear pants “for shopping, at school, in the library, in cafeterias or restaurants.”

Can you imagine this kind of guidance for young women today? It was no doubt the right guidance for the youth to whom it spoke, but as things have changed, so has the pamphlet. Seeing these changes to the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet has opened my eyes to the Church's awareness of the needs of youth at all times, whether it be the 60s and 70s or the late 90s and early 2000s. Here are some of the highlights from the different editions:

1965-1972

Between 1965 and 1972, seven editions of the pamphlet were published, including the very first edition. A lot of the guidance in these early editions of FSOY was geared towards propriety and acceptable behaviors. Under the section “Good Grooming,” it reads, “Not only should clothes be clean, but nails, skin, and hair should have the glow of health that bespeaks meticulous care in grooming.” Youth were also reminded that “it is not polite to run in and out of motel or hotel rooms late at night, making a disturbance which keeps other guests awake.”

Some of the directions in these earlier pamphlets are more detailed than the FSOY pamphlets we know today. For example, in the section titled “‘Grubbies,’ Curlers, Hair Fashions,” girls were counseled not to leave the house in their “grubbies.” The next sentence states: “A ‘real lady’ does not go out in public, to the market, or to shops with her hair curlers.” (Most of today’s young women probably don’t even know how to use hair curlers.)

Young women were not only to avoid backless and strapless dresses because of immodesty, but also because, according to these early pamphlets, “few girls or women ever look well in backless or strapless dresses. Such styles often make the figure look ungainly and large, or they show the bony structures of the body.”

1990 Edition

Society must have changed drastically in the years to follow because For the Strength of Youth was almost completely different when it was updated in 1990. The Church standards remained the same, but the world seemed to be in more need of moral direction. “The title For the Strength of Youth is not new,” explained Ardeth Kapp, the Young Women general president at the time. “But because of the trend toward immorality and other ills in society and also because of the expansion of the Church into new geographical areas over the years, a more comprehensive, more explicit statement of Church standards was needed.”

The 1990 edition of For the Strength of Youth contained several more sections of what Sister Kapp said was needed—explicit statements of the Church’s standards. Youth were still taught about appropriate dress and dating, as in earlier editions, but topics like language, sexual purity, mental and physical health, and Sunday behavior were added.

There were still some specific directions on subjects such as dress. While pants and “grubbies” no longer raised concern, short shorts, tight pants, and other revealing attire, including off-the-shoulder and low cut shirts, became an issue. Youth were counseled to “dress in such a way as to bring out the best in yourself and those around you.”

2001 Edition

In 2001, FSOY expanded from just 19 pages to 44. This pamphlet was geared even more toward spiritual principles, with sections such as “Agency and Accountability,” “Gratitude” and “Go Forward with Faith.” “The Living Christ” and “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” were also added to the back of the pamphlet, and instead of a picture of youth on the front, the cover displayed a picture of the temple. The introduction to the “Dress and Appearance” section illustrates this more spiritual update: “Your body is God’s sacred creation. Respect it as a gift from God, and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is.” Youth were not only supposed to dress appropriately because it was socially acceptable, but because of their spiritual beliefs about the body.

2011 Update

In December 2011, the Church announced it would release a new and updated version of the pamphlet. For me, though, it didn’t seem like we were really that far removed from 2001. Had things really changed that much? The 2001 edition seemed to be sufficient for today’s youth--until I looked through the 2011 edition. It’s interesting to note how much things actually have changed. A lot of material in the updated version of FSOY is the same as before, but some additions are clearly vital for our time. In the “Music and Dancing” section, for instance, youth receive this counsel: “Keep your music at a reasonable volume, and remove your earphones when others are talking to you or want you to be part of their activities.”

Another interesting and certainly important addition comes from the section “Sexual Purity.” It counsels youth to “avoid situations that invite increased temptation, such as late-night or overnight activities away from home or activities where there is a lack of adult supervision.” Nearly every section has been expanded by a paragraph or more, and there's even a whole new section--"Work and Self-Reliance." Would the Church have made these additions to the pamphlet if they weren’t important for our time?

Same Principles, Different Words

Even though FSOY has changed, the principles have remained consistent. “The standards have not changed, but times have changed,” said Elaine S. Dalton, current Young Women general president. “For the Strength of Youth has been revised to address the issues youth face today—to teach them the doctrine behind the standards and the promised blessings of obedience.”

To see the updated For the Strength of Youth pamphlet online, click here.

FHE: Standards

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe." - Thomas S. Monson Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Dare to Stand Alone”, by President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov. 2011, 60.

Thought:
I recall a time . . . when the standards of most people were very similar to our standards. No longer is this true. . . . May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe.

(President Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone”, Ensign, Nov. 2011, 60.)

Song:
“Stand for the Right,” Children’s Songbook, p. 159

Scripture:
Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.
(3 Nephi 18:24)

Lesson:
Show your family a picture of Daniel and his friends rejecting the king’s food and wine, such as Gospel Art Picture Kit, 114. Ask:

• What appears to be happening in this picture?
• Have you ever been in a similar situation, where you were offered something that was against your standards?
• What made it easy or difficult to resist the offer?
• What blessings have you received for keeping your standards?

Tell your family that the person in this picture is the prophet Daniel and that he was in a situation which made it particularly difficult for him to keep his standards. Take turns reading Daniel 1:1–20 and use the questions below as you read to help your family understand the story.

• What did the king of Babylon do to Jerusalem? (Verses 1–2, conquered it and carried away the treasures of the temple.)
• What happened to Daniel? (Verses 3–6, he and others were carried away captive and trained in the king’s palace.)
• Why would it be difficult for Daniel and his friends to refuse to eat and drink what was offered? (Verses 1–7, they were captives in a foreign land.)
• Which verse shows Daniel’s courage to keep his standards high? (You might want to explain that the king’s food and drink was first offered to the Babylonian idols. The law of Moses forbids Israelites to eat food that had been offered to idols.)
• How was Daniel blessed for his desire to keep the commandments? (Verse 9.)
• What was the prince of the eunuchs afraid of? (Verse 10.)
• What did Daniel propose as a test? (Verses 12–14. See footnote 12a to see what “pulse” is.) • How did Daniel and his friends appear after ten days? (Verse 15.)
• What other blessings did Daniel and his friends receive from the Lord? (Verses 16–20.)

After discussing the story, ask your family to think about why Daniel and his friends were so much wiser than the others. Write the following statements where everyone can see them and ask them which statement seems most correct:

• They were healthier and wiser because they ate grains and seeds.
• They were healthier and wiser because the Lord blessed them for their obedience.

Help your family understand that there is truth in both statements. The Lord blesses us when we are obedient, and there are reasons for the things He commands us even when we do not always know the reasons.

Role play some situations (age- appropriate for your family) to allow your family to practice refusing the temptation to do things they know are wrong.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Old Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2009], p. 222.)

Story:
The chore I most hated as a boy was fixing fence. It was a hot, miserable job, and it was extremely boring. Hour after hour we would walk the miles of barbed-wire fence lines. We would stop where the cattle had stretched the wires or broken the posts and repair the damage. I knew how most of the holes and broken posts had been made.

It didn’t much matter where you put the fence; the cows always felt there was better grass on the other side. I’m convinced that the expression “The grass is always greener on the other side” was invented by a cow. The middle of the meadow could be full of good, green, grass, but the cows would wander the fence line looking greedily through the wire and eat the grass on the other side. Slowly the wires would stretch.

Not satisfied with this, they would eventually push against the wore, stretching their long tongues out as far as they could, and lick the grass into their mouths. In time the fence would break down, the posts would weaken, and huge holes would appear up and down the line.

The Lord has built some fairly sturdy fences to protect His children. There is plenty of good, green grass in the middle of His meadow, but far too often we look longingly through His fence to the entertainments, pleasures, ambitions, fashions, and desires of the world. Many Church members would never think of actually breaking out of the Lord’s protecting fence, but they see no harm in poking their heads through the wires t reach outside as far as possible. Occasionally some even want the Lord or His prophets to move the fence for their convenience.

I noticed while taking care of cattle as a boy that more often than not the cows did not go through the holes they created in the fence, but the calves did. Sometimes we would ride up the fence line and find a calf separated from its mother. Often it would be half starved and bawling to get back inside the fence next to the mother. The calves seemed to know how to escape through the holes the older cattle had made, but rarely did they know how to step back through those holes. If they were not found, sometimes they died.

This is the true tragedy of [resisting] the standards and counsels of the Church. Parents must be careful in their own pushing of the limits not to create holes that their children will slip through. Compromising, for example, on the type of movies we watch may create a hole that our children will crawl through to their own destruction. One generation’s exception becomes the next generation’s rule, as standards of behavior deteriorate. If the cows had stayed in the center of the meadow, no calf would have ever been lost.

(S. Michael Wilcox, Don’t Leap with the Sheep, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2001], p. 131-133.)

Activity:
Play “missionary tag.” All the players are paired up except the person who is it. The pairs link elbows and run as a team. If the person who is it manages to catch the team and link arms with one of the players, the other player has to let go and becomes it.

Refreshment
Million-Dollar Cookies

2 cups shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond flavoring 4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Grease a cookie sheet and set aside. In a large mixer bowl cream shortening, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and almond flavoring till fluffy. In another bowl sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar together. Add gradually to creamed mixture. Chill. Mold dough into 1-inch balls. Place onto prepared cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie with bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar. Bake for 10 minutes at 350° F. Cool on wire rack. Store in covered container. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

Variations: Add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or raisins to batter before chilling. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake as above.

(Lion House Desserts, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000] p. 131.)

To get the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Roundup

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:49:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: These ladies are doing a lovely job pulling off vogue and virtue. Check out these modest outfits for your own style inspiration.

LDS Living recently opened a Pinterest account (follow us here). One of our boards is called Vogue and Virtue, featuring modest fashion and style inspriration. Right now I'm loving pastels, lace, and stripes; here are a few of my favortie finds this week:

Photo from Bathwater

Photo from Lilly's Style

Photo from Sunday Crossbow

Photo from Ish & Chi

Photo from Fancy Treehouse

Photo from Thread Ethic

Photo from Atlantic - Pacific

Photo from Late Afternoon

Photo from Pretty stuff

Photo from Shopbop

Photo from Illuminated

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Blogs Roundup

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:18:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

I love fashion, but even more, I love modest fashion. But I need all the help I can get from Mormon fashion bloggers to pull this off. Some trends I'm loving right now are bright colored bottoms, mixed prints, and faux fur, and these ladies do a great job of making these trends appropriate and cute.
Here are my top 10 picks of the week.

Photo from Cotton and Curls.

Photo from Clothed Much.

Photo from Pretty Life Anonymous.

Photo from La Vie Petite.

Photo from Lazy Saturdays.

Photo from Life of a Passeri.

Photo from High Heels and Bubblegum.

Photo from Meet Virginia.

Photo from Amy Day to Day.

Photo from Cats and Cardigans.

Teaching Modesty: A YM Leader’s Perspective

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:50:00 -0700

source: feministmormonhousewives.org

Mormon Life says: I like this quote from the article: "Young people are going to make mistakes, and it is the responsibility of adults to act like adults and not do the Full Freakout when the kids occasionally get it wrong, as they inevitably will." For most of my adult life, I’ve had callings in the Young Men’s organization. Scouts, church sports, campouts, EFY, youth conference, you name it, I’ve been there and done that, and I have the scars to prove it. Young men struggle in many ways, including in the way they dress, but we usually don’t think of them as being immodest.

BYU-Idaho to ban skinny jeans?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:11:00 -0700

source: abcnews.com

Mormon Life says: Today, BYU-I released this statement: Wondering if skinny jeans are allowed on campus? They are. BYU-Idaho's longstanding dress & grooming standards promote principles of modesty and restrict formfitting clothing, but skinny jeans are not singled out or prohibited. In addition, the Testing Center issue reported in Scroll has been corrected and is no longer in force.

Some at Brigham Young University-Idaho, a Mormon school, say skinny jeans are too risqué for campus wear: students wearing the hip-hugging pants have recently been refused service at the school’s Test Center.

The department posted a sign that read “No Skinny Jeans,” and turned away several students who were wearing tight-fitting pants last week.

{Lifestyle} Fashion: Mainstream Modest

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:07:00 -0700

by SarahJo Ciotti
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Sometimes finding cute and modest outfits can be a pain, with modern trends increasingly involving more skin and less cloth. But with retro styles making a comeback, you can be a fashionista and maintain your modesty.

Popular fashion trends have increasingly included the baring of skin, creating added frustrations for fashion-minded women who try be modest in appearance. As if we don’t have enough frustrations in our lives? Not wanting to resort to Victorian-era dresses with impeccable detail, skirts hemlines that pass the shoes, high necklines, and sleeves to wrists (I get claustrophobic just thinking about all of it), many resort to time-consuming personal creations, or (don’t say it!) dowdy “mom wear” in order to avoid trendy mini-length sweater dresses, low necklines, or sleeveless blouses.

As in the flapper-girl days of the roaring 20s, today’s fashions also pose a challenge to stay current and attractively modest. Fashion is circulatory. Designers play with new combinations of color, silhouettes, and patterns to come up with something that is “new.” The 60s mod shift dress recalled the shapeless form of the androgynous flapper girl, including everything from dramatic eye makeup to headbands.

Perhaps due to current popular television shows, movies, and music that are inspired by or set during the 50s, 60s and 70s, designers Zac Posen, Michael Kors, and even the cutting-edge Prada have begun to create looks featuring high waistlines, A-lines, or pencil to-the-knee skirts, bringing the midi and maxi back into style. These classic looks flatter the shape when fitted well and worn appropriately.

Prada featuring a fit-n-flare 1950s-style midi dress.
Photo from style.com.

Midi length falls below the knee at the smallest part of the leg between knee and calf muscle, which elongates the upper legs and brings the attention to the narrow part of your lower leg, creating a tall, slim silhouette. Wearing a skirt that falls at your natural waistline creates a flattering shape and comes straight from classic movie sirens Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren.

Although this is technically a dress with a shirt over it, the silhouette's
break creates a high-waisted look that elongates the leg... though this
model doesn't really need it. Photo from freepeople.com.

The maxi length is, well, the maximum length before you begin to trip. This look was a great trend for summer 2011 channeling 70s breezy boheme, and, as always, with a structured blazer or chunky knit sweater, this trend gives you a much warmer option for winter months.

Photo from runwaydaily.com.

Emphasizing the woman’s shape and flattering in all the right places without being tight or revealing are just a few of the perks associated with this feminine trend. A departure from the style of recent years to those of latter years incorporated with more modern pieces can keep you modest and on point for the season’s trends. Dressing for what flatters your shape in styles that you can find in high-end stores or even D.I. will keep you fashionable, trendy, modest, and warm this winter!

Leggings, Modesty, and EFY

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:17:00 -0700

source: bycommonconsent.com

Mormon Life says: The blog mentions LDS Living's recent article on leggings--woo woo! To the left is the cover of the official an EFY souvenir book from 1991. It consists of the title, Feeling Great, Doing Right, Hanging Tough, in 80′s-tastic font design, and a photo of an exuberant young woman doing a sort of cheerleaderish jump for joy [1].

What I noticed immediately when I saw this image was the presence of leggings. It was remarkable to me because I have recently observed some controversy in the LDS community surrounding leggings and modesty.

Now, I have to assume that whatever makes the cover of an EFY book is pretty much the definition of acceptable modesty in the church at the time the book was made.

Modest fashion on the rise

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:06:00 -0700

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: Modest fashion blogs, e-zines, and boutiques are becoming more popular.

When you meet modest-fashion maven Jen Loch, who has tens of thousands following her online magazine and store, you might expect another cute, wide-eyed Mormon blogger who has taken her faith, values, innocence and, of course, fashion sense onto the Internet.

Loch, a 30-year-old sometime model and online entrepreneur, fits most of that pattern — she’s got the eyes and fashion sense, for sure. But she came by her commitment to dressing modestly the hard way. And Loch, a lifelong Mormon who came to Utah via Nashville and Los Angeles, is disarming in admitting she’s a work in progress.

“I don’t consider myself the most modest person,” she says during a recent interview in a Provo café. Loch is wearing skinny jeans, for instance. Many readers of her magazine Jen or shoppers at JenClothing.com denounce skinny jeans as indecent attire.

Daily Mail: The rise of Mormon 'modesty blogs'

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:46:00 -0600

source: dailymail.co.uk

Mormon Life says: Interesting that Mormon modesty blogs have become mainstream enough that the UK's Daily Mail is doing a story on them. Their advice, sartorially speaking, is spot-on: Respect your body, love the clothes you wear and remember, less is more.

They also refuse above-the-knee skirts, very high heels, spaghetti straps and low-cut tops.

Welcome to a growing breed of unconventional fashion voices: The Mormon modesty bloggers.

The far-from-pushy sites are mushrooming across America and further afield, giving a platform to many young women who may be on the end of oft-maligned preconceptions of the religious group.

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion: Kate Middleton

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:04:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Kate Middleton is a breath of fresh air as a fashion icon. While she doesn't always adhere perfectly to LDS standards of modesty, I think she preserves the spirit of modesty in all she does.

I adore Kate Middleton. I think she’s poised and elegant and, well, regal. And, in a world where celebrities cavort more nude than not across the front covers of magazines, gossip sites, and the news, she’s a refreshing breath of air.

Because she’s modest.

It seems that many girls feel that modesty is synonymous with frumpy, boring, and unattractive; that guys will never pay attention to them if they don’t have enough skin showing; that all the best fashions include immodesty as a starting point.

This is not frumpy, boring, or unattractive.

(Photo from Daily Mail UK)

I think she’s gorgeous. While Kate Middleton may not adhere perfectly to LDS standards of modesty—sure, sometimes her dress is a little lower cut or her shirt is sleeveless—her clothes definitely preserve the spirit of modesty, as do her words and actions.

In short, as my mother put it, she dresses like a queen.

And her example isn’t one that only Latter-day Saint women need follow: even celebrities are realizing that the class act that is Kate Middleton is more attractive.

"Can I tell you how grateful I am to Kate Middleton?" actress Anne Hathaway said in an interview with USA TODAY. "Because she is such an advocate for dressing like a lady. I think for a few years that kind of slightly dirty look was adopted by Hollywood—you know, the stringy hair, homeless thing. And I really tried. . . . [But] it doesn't suit me, I don't suit it.”

"I'm just very grateful to Kate Middleton for making looking appropriate really fun again," Hathaway concluded. Even Sarah Jessica Parker—considered a style icon by many—has listed Kate Middleton as her own fashion inspiration.

President Uchtdorf, in his phenomenal talk "Your Happily Ever After" given during the April 2010 General Young Women’s conference, said this: “You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens.”

“‘Happily ever after’ is not something found only in fairy tales,” he explained at another point in his talk. “You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map.”

Ladies, we are all princesses, all regal, all daughters of God. Maybe, if we want to find our “happily ever after,” we should follow the example of a real-life princess, and start dressing modestly.

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Kaela Worthen is the associate editor at LDS Living. A self-titled “ultimate grammar nerd,” she also battles serious addictions to news and food websites and a compulsion to dance to the radio while driving.