Modesty

Wedding dresses are something that has bothered me over the last few years, because of the lack of  modesty.

These are wedding dresses from 1861. Not only are they gorgeous, but they are modest. However, I would like to point out that these dresses are huge and I don't see myself wearing them. But the basic style - highneckline and longer sleeves is what I'm mainly looking for.

The mark of the man of the world is absence of pretension. He does not make a speech; he takes a low business-tone, avoids all brag, is nobody, dresses plainly, promises not at all, performs much, speaks in monosyllables, hugs his fact. He calls his employment by its lowest name, and so takes from evil tongues their sharpest weapon.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life 1860

Now compare those wedding dresses with one that is common today.

Quite the difference there, wouldn't you agree? They are all beautiful dresses, but there is definitely a difference in between the two pictures. Yes, for some people, this is a modest dress and compared to others, it isn't. The main question that keeps appearing is, what is modest? I think that I Peter 3:4 answers that question very well, "Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." I believe that there are standards for modesty and that our parents should have a large say in what we wear. I would be among the first to say that I don't always agree with my parents on modest clothing. But I have found that they are always right if they have a check about my clothes and usually my momma doesn't object if I have a check about something either and we'll either pass it down to the next sibling in line or give it away.

According the dictionary, modesty is:

1. the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.
2. regard for decency of behaviour, speech, dress, etc.
3. simplicity, moderation.

Modesty isn't just what we wear, but what we do and say. Proverbs 31:30 says ^"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."