As most believers believe that we should dress modestly would you agree that modesty is different to all of us

Question

What do YOU call modest dress?

I say dress as you feel is appropriate, what are your ideas about this?

For the record I wear only skirts past my knees at least 6 inches, no shirt cut lower than 4 inches below my collar bone, sleeves usually to my elbows, and a scarf at all times.My personal choice not required. I believe Modesty comes from moderation.

Answer 1

For a Christian woman the important thing would be to dress in a way that would not cause anyone to stumble. For instance, if a young man were to see a woman dressed with a short skirt and lots of cleavage, it would cause him to think improper thoughts about her. So, as Christian women we want to be sensitive to such things so that we would not cause anyone to stumble into sin. A Christian would want to bring honor to the Creator in the way they adorned themselves. It is a good thing to want to look clean and attractive, but a more important thing would be to focus on our inner person. This is what God sees. I would want that to be the most beautiful of all.

Answer 2

I grew up in Miami Florida and the rule and law was 'no sexual organs revealed' so that meant the female nipples and the crotch of both sexes had to be covered. Everything else could be shown and was. Women shopped in the grocery in bikinis and no one stared. This made me very at ease with the human body.

As I have grown older I have felt more modest and gradually covered up. Now I wear capri pants and 3/4 length sleeves and a snug collar with nothing too tight. I seldom wear a dress but if I do it is just over the knee in length. But still, a naked person does not shock me. I just like ME covered a little more these days.

Answer 3

I'll agree with you, that being modest (in the way you dress), is dressing appropriately. And I'd like to delve into that further:

Appropriateness changes with circumstances. I, personally, feel more than comfortable in my bare skin. Should I not live with my parents, I'd likely walk around that way for most of the day, however that would not be appropriate with the current circumstances (unless my family were to view nudity differently). However, when attending a Pagan circle (especially in the summer), where nudity is viewed as natural and in a way that is detached from sexuality and perversion, nudity is very much appropriate, and thus, sufficiently modest.

This also changes from place to place. In discussing nudity taboos on a public forum, a friend of mine told about how he works on a beach in Florida. European tourists will often lie nude on the beach like they would normally do at home, and he feels horrible telling them that they have to cover up; it's really not hurting anybody, and they don't mean any disrespect by doing so. In the few nude beaches we do have here in the US, people who do actually go nude often times will make themselves a tent with their towels - not because they are embarrassed, but because people will not stop staring at them, even when it is allowed!

Conversely, an American woman had gone to a beach in Europe, and was the only one there in a full swimsuit. Everyone kept staring at her. She eventually got fed up with it, and went and bought herself a two-piece. She threw away the top half, and no one ever stared at her for the rest of the day.

Answer 4

Depends on the circumstances. If I am at work I will dress differently than out for casual shopping and then again different if I am out at a bar having a beer. If the weather permits I do show my belly and wear spaghetti strap tops - which shows my tattoos and my belly ring. But I am petite and no real cleavage so not the same effect as the busting out look. I'm not out trolling and don't get a lot of unwanted attention - attitude has a lot to do with it as well.

It took me many years to get a healthy body image and now that I know I have something to be proud of I'm not necessarily going to be wrapped up.

Answer 5

very good question. here my opinion, modesty means everything that would draw sexual attention is cover . no tight pants and thongs showing no bottom high shorts or skirts. skirts should be no shorter than the top of the knee.panties should also be worn underneath. tops should fit loose in the bust and show little to no cleavage. in 1 timothy chapter 2 starting in 9 through 15 the womans apparel and place is mentioned.i also think modesty go to jewelry too. no large guady jewelry simple stud earings a wedding band wrist watch one bracelet and a simple necklace. call me a prude but this is my opnion. men should also dress a certian way

Answer 6

Yes, modesty is different to all of us, but that doesn't mean that there is no objective moral standard for modest dress, as well as every other moral decision we make.

I know people automatically think that one is stupid or brainwashed when they mention the Bible at all in this forum, but it answers questions like this very well.

From the OT to the NT, any reference to clothing, especially women's clothing, supports the idea that Adam and Eve had to clothe themselves after their sins because they were ashamed of being naked in front of God.

So believers must follow their example and dress with respect to God, not in accordance to what any people or groups of people think is modest or immodest dress.

Answer 7

I call modest dress not dressing in a way which would blatently cause a brother to stumble. I think belly skin is inappropriate as are spaghetti strap tops, breasts bursting out of tops, bikinis, low rise jeans/pants, and skirts/shorts that are shorter than mid thigh when standing.

Answer 8

To me, modesty is keeping my body covered. I don't wear things that show my belly, or skirts that are shorter then my knees. I also don't wear anything that is too tight or revealing. I don't like anything too low cut, or anything that shows too much cleavage. To me it isn't just a religious thing, it's that I'm uncomfortable showing that much skin. Maybe it's just that I'm getting older and I'm not as cute and skinny as I used to be, but I do think it is a personal choice.

Answer 9

modestly in saudi arabia (covered from head to toe, even the face) is different than modestly here

some pacific island cultures are nothing like that

see? set biblical rules given to a specific culture at a specific time in history, are a problem for a species such as ourselves who change and grow continuously, and are all different depending on the part of the planet we live on

personally, i think if youre a bold person, you should dress boldly.

IF there is any "truth" in religious texts, i doubt its to do with rules and laws that were meant for the period.

if i were to guess what a timeless "truth" is, my guess would be this:
"Blessed are the peacmakers, for they shall be called sons of God"

Answer 10

I disagree--we all know what modesty is--brittany spears trimmed down catholic schoolgirl uniform from her 'baby one more time' video is whorish no matter how you look at it--I call modest dress when you aren't showing your midsection, cleavage, or bikini line--jeans and a t-shirt is modest dress, shorts that come down halfway down your thigh is modest--some people prefer to be more modest than others, like baptists, pentacostals, muslim women, etc--more power to them, but lets face it, when someone is dressed like a hoochie, they mean to do it, and there is no modesty in their intentions

Answer 11

Modesty? That is a really grey area! If you are a nudest, modest is nothing more than a loin cloth. If you are ultra conservative, then showing so much as a wrist will send you straight to hell. Adam and Eve were brought into this world naked, true? And who made them know they were naked and ashamed? Not God, but Satan. So, I belive, that even if you are "Christian" you shouldn't have to cover ever inch of your body. God is not going to condem you to hell for showing skin...