The Beauty of Modesty
A few years ago I wasn't even aware of modesty. I don't see many women in Los Angeles dressing modestly, and it wasn't a notion when I was a child. I grew up in front of full length mirrors that extended the length of a room in ballet, modern, and jazz classes wearing dance attire that showed your lines for easy corrections. I've always had a different perspective of my body because of this.
The fall of 2017 I had the spiritual conviction to dress modestly. I had no idea where to start outside of looking for long skirts, and I donated and sold most of my previous wardrobe. It was tough. I felt crazy. No doubt I looked that way too. It's taken me some time to find my own style with this new look, but it has been such an amazing process.
The first thing that dressing modestly does is free you from any and every body issue you may have had in the past.
In January 2017 I had my son. By the fall my waistline had still not returned to its original shape due to abdominal separation. Dressing modestly helped me to feel graceful while my body continued to heal. What a blessing it has been to stop nitpicking over myself and focus on something else.
Our society has always been tough on women and our appearance. Plus it's so easy to literally buy into the hype.
It keeps us continually dissatisfied with ourselves and always looking for the next outfit, cosmetic, shoes, bag, hair product, just anything to mask the real issue. At first dressing differently was uncomfortable. But with time it also freed me from keeping up with society trends and standards.
Last summer I began focusing on finding dresses that were comfortable, easy to wear anywhere, and could be dressed up or down.
I didn't want to have different wardrobes for different occasions. I didn't want to spend too much time coordinating tops and skirts. I also needed pieces that were nursing friendly. (I'm actually wearing the dress pictured above back to front, as the front has buttons.) It was then that I began looking at linen dresses. You can read exactly why I chose linen here.
Some benefits I've experienced from wearing long flowy dresses or skirts is that is they are not restrictive and actually more comfortable for me than most pants. I can sit on the floor without tugging on my skirt or having to sit in a specific way. I even wear dresses to the playground and go down the slides with my son easily. I'm able to do anything that I would before yet with more flexibility. Most of my dresses fall above my ankle.
By wearing simple and comfortable dresses I always feel put together. I never feel over or underdressed for any occasion. I think linen fabric has a lot to do with it along with wearing a modest neckline and skirt length.
The beauty of modesty is that I feel like a lady without the need to overdo anything.
After dancing in the industry for over a decade with the need to be camera ready at all times while looking slightly provocative, this truly is freedom. The dance scene in New York wasn't like this, but this is definitely the case in Los Angeles. It's also freeing not to have others checking my backside when I pass if you know what I mean.
Spiritual convictions are usually to free up areas in your life where you were once in bondage. It can take time to adjust to them, but this experience has been such a blessing. It's not necessary to keep up with or emulate others to be happy. This has been another area of my life that has come right in line with simple living and minimalism.
Modesty may be a lost art, but I find it so refreshing.
Image by Dawn Michelle