I started MoMoMod back in March of 2010 and I never set out to change readers’ definitions of modesty. Modesty means different things to different people.

I wrote about my personal standards/convictions regarding modesty here, but here’s a brief recap and refresher (it has been awhile):

1. I am Apostolic Pentecostal. As far as organizations go my church belongs to the United Pentecostal Church International.
2. I’m pro skirts. Read: I wear skirts only and I don’t wear pants. Until I was about 23 years old I didn’t even wear pajama pants. As a girl my mom and dad did not allow us to wear shorts or pants under our skirts because they figured that by allowing us to wear these articles of clothing under our skirts they were setting us up to be tempted to wear pants/shorts later on in life. Plus, my dad always said, “Don’t sit like a cowboy and you’ll be iight!” I remember being taught early on in life to sit with my legs crossed with my dresses always covering my knees. I was a wild child and my parents had a tough time reminding me to sit “like a lady”; somehow I managed to figure it out by 2nd grade.
3. Why do I dress modestly? My reasons are both Biblical and personal. I was raised in a pretty conservative Christian home and attended a pretty conservative church. My parents believed what was preached, they had their own personal convictions and standards regarding modesty, and taught my sister and I those same standards. I’m 27 years old now, so I can’t say that I dress modestly because a. my pastor tells me to or b. my parents make me. I dress modestly because I want to look feminine, I want to honor God’s Word, I want to obey what my pastor preaches/has preached, and I have personal convictions that I just cannot ignore.
4. My own modesty standards: skirts that cover my knees when I sit, sleeves that cover my elbows, higher necklines, minimal slits, no makeup, no fingernail polish, no artificial nails, and up until I got engaged I never wore jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces). I now own an engagement ring.

I understand that my standards are stricter than most, and that my standards aren’t as strict as others (I wear patterned tights, I wear brooches, I wear glitter flats, I wear prints). I get it. I’m not in the business of preaching what you should and should not wear. I’m not in the business of casting judgment, because oh! I’ve got my own burdens to bear. Why sweep around someone’s front door when I’ve got stinky garbage lying around my own house?

However, there are a few words that bother me and they continue to pop up in the blogosphere (modest fashion blogging has become sort of a thing):

Source

Modest is hottest.

Modest is hot.

Modesty is sexy.

Wait. Stop. Hold up. When did modesty become hot? Sexy?

When I think hot and sexy I think this:

Am I really supposed to think that some girl wearing a knee length denim skirt with leggings, sandals, and 3/4 length tee is…hot? Because it’s not and I don’t.

When I hear guys talk about a girl being hot I pretty much see/realize that they are talking about someone who’s showing their goods for all to see. Unless I missed the worldwide memo, the term hot means someone that looks good enough to have a “good” time with. Ha. Urban Dictionary’s definition is here.

I see what people are trying to do. Let’s make modesty popular! Let’s make it okay for young girls and ladies to think modest clothing is okay! Let’s change the idea that modesty is frumpy! Let’s combine modesty and sexy! You can be both!

1. Modesty is not popular and it will never be popular. Call me pessimistic but the world is only going to get worse. Here is my biblical proof: Matthew Chapter 24 We live in a world that promotes immodesty. People scoff at the very idea of modesty.
2. Modest clothing is okay. However, the way I see it personal standards  and convictions regarding modesty must come by way of revelation, prayer, and communication with God. I know there are a few people who dress modestly without any attachment to the Bible, but most people dress modestly out of respect for God. If we want to encourage modesty, encourage Bible reading and prayer.
3. Dressing modestly doesn’t have to be frumpy; I’m a firm believer in that idea. But why associate modesty with a worldly term? Since we are a chosen generation, I don’t think He called us to be hot. He called us to follow His Word–even when it’s not popular to do so. It’s hard to be a light when you associate with darkness.

Two sides to the coin

You can have your skirt touching the ground, your neckline to your earlobes, and a wicked heart. So you’ve got the look but are you walking the walk? It’s easy to promote modesty in dress because that’s what people see. Misha wrote a blog post with this line: Christians can be some of THE most unscrupulous, immoral, judgmental, nasty, elitist minded, self-righteous people you’ll ever meet. Ha. She’s a Christian. You’ll have to read more of her blog post to see where she’s coming from.

What are your thoughts on the terms modest is hottest and modest is sexy? This video is courtesy of SexyModest.

Watch and let me know what you think.