Catholic Modesty

Catholic Modesty for Women Resources for Modest Clothing and Books on Christian Modesty
A few years ago, Catholic author Colleen Hammond wrote "Dressing with Dignity" a book about the need for feminine modesty, how to achieve it, and why it's so necessary. It quickly became a "must read" in many traditional Catholic circles. For the most part, Hammond was preaching to the choir. Traditional Catholic women already know about modesty. Other Catholic women, however, might sense that there's something amiss in the way women dress for Church. And they're right. Many of these women, however, are missing the point. It's not just about how we dress at Church. It's how we dress everywhere, even within the home and what we do to convey the feminine mystery through modesty. We can only speak for our own parish, which is located in a seaside community and some of the fashion choices are truly hair raising. I don't think I will ever forget an adult confirmation during a Sunday Mass. The young woman and her sponsor both wore Indian style halter tops that ended under the bustline. These were paired with see-through gauze skirts that settled low on the hips, leaving the entire abdominal area bare. Oh. I forgot to mention. The young woman being confirmed was about seven months pregnant.		While we should always look to Mary as our model of modesty, in today's world, it isn't practical to dress in a floor length robe with a veil covering our heads - unless you happen to be a traditional nun or live in the middle east. We can, however, maintain an appropriate level of modest dress wherever we go, particularly in Church. Our Lady of Fatima said, "Certain fashions will offend Our Lord very much." While she wasn't specific, we can't help but wonder how she would feel about women who have completely abandoned feminine dress in favor of a wardrobe consisting entirely of slacks. While they have their place, perhaps, it still makes us cringe to see "extraordinary ministers" dressed in t-shirts and slacks in the sanctuary. The tide seems to be turning, and young women are beginning to find dresses appealing once again. Girls Gone Mild - Moving Away from Trashy to Classy indicates a trend to modesty among young women. Nonetheless, until the modesty revolution filters down to the local department stores, it can be difficult finding clothing that flatters while it covers -- and doesn't make you look like someone who has just stepped off a gypsy caravan. We've put together some resources for modest clothing that are affordable and easy to care for. These are not our products, but if you use the links here, they'll know we sent you.
Secret Keeper With Victoria's Secret now targeting 18-24 year-olds with the PINK line, and Abercrombie & Fitch successfully selling clothing through a catalog available only to those 18 and over, the need for a clear voice on modesty has never been greater. This bestselling book on modesty gives teens and twenty-something's actual pictures and examples of modern clothing -a modesty fashion show. Explains the critical nature of modesty as both cool and relevant. 'How-to' modest dressing skills.	The Look: Does God Really Care What I Wear? The author challenges Christians to ask themselves tough questions: Who decides what I will wear, and why? What message does my clothing communicate? And, how can I reflect the glory of God in my wardrobe? Biblical, practical and motivating, it challenges women (young or older), parents, and teens to discover the Truth about clothing and modesty, and to make choices based on God's eternal perspective.	A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue When the 23-year-old author first heard of "modestyniks"--Orthodox Jewish women who withhold physical contact from men until marriage, she was initially fascinated by the way in which they cleave to old ideals, in a sex-saturated world and was aghast at how they are dismissed as sick, delusional, or repressed by the secular community. "Why," asks the author, "is sexual modesty so threatening to some that they can only respond to it with charges of abuse or delusion?"	Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America In the Church today, there are few cows quite as sacred as the right of modern Christians to dress however they please. But in this groundbreaking work, Jeff Pollard challenges us to embrace God's standard and to understand the historical roots of the rise of nudity and immodesty in modern culture.
Resources for Modest Clothing. If you've gone shopping recently you'll know that it's tough finding feminine clothing that isn't too revealing but that also doesn't make you look like you're wearing a feed sack or your grandmother's housecoat. And chances are, if you do find something pretty, it will cost much more than a good Catholic woman should pay.		Here are a few resources that we've used to purchase clothing in the past. As we mentioned, these are not our products, but if you would be kind enough to use the links we've provided, we might earn a couple of pennies (literally!) Look around the clearance sections for deals. You'll be surprised at the markdowns.
Willow Ridge provides plenty of feminine dresses that are long enough for modesty. They also have a range of jumpers which are popular with Catholic mothers for work around the home and that will accommodate pregnancies with ease.		Monterey Bay is another mail order firm that offers internet only sales. Lots of feminine shirtwaists, jumpers and styles that are perfect for the professional woman, too. Click on the Sale tab to see newly reduced items.
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The gauze jumper comes in pink, blue and black. Perfect to pair with a longer sleeved shirt and easy to clean	The flowered print jumper is perfect for three season wear and nice enough for Church, too.	This Tencel Cotton blend is comfortable and easy to care for	Lavender floral dress with tie back at waist and button front.
This feminine crinkle voile dress is wash and wear cotton with a pretty embroidered bodice.	This classic shirt dress comes in a seersucker style cotton that is easy to care for.	A sunny yellow Tuscan print is paired with a sky blue belt for a fresh womanly look you'll love.	Long sleeved garden print is perfect for all seasons wear. Pair it with a striking belt for office wear.
Catherine's is an excellent online shop that offers modest styles in plus sizes - a specialty welcomed by many good Catholic mothers of many children who often find the transition between pregnancies can be relatively short. They offer percents off and free shipping depending on your order. Visit the outlet area for sale items - which also seem to be scattered throughout the site.		Sierra Trading offers better made, very sophisticated looks made of top quality fabrics with great attention to detail. While they can often be a bit expensive, take a look through the "Bargain Barn" for discounts up to 70% Off. You'll also find lots of discounted items for the entire family as well as outdoor gear.
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Floral denim tone with front buttons is pretty and functional for every day wear	Two piece sweater and skirt set is now on sale for $15.99!	This feminine worsted wool pleated skirt is 34" long and marked down 64% 4 colors	Slimmer travel dress of no wrinkle fabric in several colors. 66% off.
Two piece dress and jacket set is perfect for career wear as well as Church	Graceful lace print skirt in 34" length is perfect for shorter women	Long floral skirt comes in different prints. Look in the clearance section	A mock turtleneck dress with 3/4 sleeves in basic black
Old Pueblo Traders is a wonderful source for dressy suits, skirts and dresses. They also have a wide variety of shoes that are pretty, but still modest in style. Dig around for the sales. There are lots of them.		Brownstone Studio has a wide variety of better clothing that will suit the professional woman as well as those who need a more polished, but modest look. Be sure to look in the outlet section for sales.
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The Classic Suit is terrific for business wear, lunches with friends and also perfect for Church wear	Embroidered Jacket Dress is nice enough to wear to weddings and certainly perfect for Church wear. And it's machine washable!	A very pretty embroidered two piece dress presents a professional and yet modestly feminine look	Elegant long skirted suit that is at home in the most sophisticated settings
A classic look with a soft belted skirt. Attractive for Church wear, the office, or going out to lunch.	A refined ladylike dress that is feminine and modest. Hand washable. You can go to dress up affairs and still not show every inch of skin. Affordable at $79	Cowl necked jacket that floats loosely over the hips	A classic long line dress that works in the office and in Church as well.
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Catholic Modesty for Women