Shey, I'm a "lurking reader" of your blog. My observation about church-related (or faith-related) clothing traditions is that, in many cases, these are specifically directed toward women, and they are (or at least were originally) prescribed by men, as a means of controlling women. After being exposed to such restrictions in early childhood, I feel fortunate to have spent most of my life outside the "gravitational pull" of such influences, but I'm still attuned to the negative psychological effects those traditions can have on women when they are imposed, rather than freely chosen. It is refreshing to read your thoughts about self esteem, body image, and your own journey toward finding your personal "comfort zone" when it comes to clothes and your relationship to them. We all have a right to make mindful choices that work for our personal circumstances and beliefs. :-)

Hi Shey, I'm sorry you feel the need to apologise, I read your last post and there is nothing offensive at all in it. (I'm a firm believer that people need to own their feelings - appointing blame at others, for our own discomfort with others views is pointless) This skirt, sweater, purple tights and boots combination is seriously cute.

Love this outfit too.

It's interesting how what one wears can affect your relationship with others. My mom often makes comments that something is "too modest."

P.S. I talk to my cat too.

First of all, I love your outfit! The preppy look gets me every.time.
Second, I love what you said about making someone else's convictions your own. This happened to me a lot when I was in high school. I'd do stuff because someone at church told me that otherwise I wasn't really a Christian, and I just got bitter about it. And then I started thinking a lot about that verse that says "todo me es lícito, mas no todo me conviene" and thought of it more in terms of the freedom we have in Christ. Now, I think I've come to a point where I'm solid in my convictions. If it's not part of what leads to salvation, let the Spirit lead in whether it is good for you to participate in or not.

Aaaaaand, that's a lot longer than I meant it to be.

I had an impulse buy last night, too. I couldn't get much sleep because of it! BOO!

Yes, I understand what you're saying about convictions. It was hard for me to differentiate between standards and convictions, but I finally got a better understanding when I was in high school. For the most part, it is my belief that standards are a set of "rules", while convictions are the landmarks one has in their own life. I admire my mother; she does not wear skirts with zippers in the front, because she feels as if she is putting on a pair of pants! Since she believes pants are for a man, I can see where she is coming from. However, that doesn't stop me from buying a skirt with a zipper up the front!

I don't think I've ever seen a picture of your cat before! By the way, how do you take your pics? Do you use a tripod? I just bought one, and I hope I can take more pics for my blog!

Chandra

thank you for talking about your modest convictions so openly and honestly! it's so refreshing to hear about people's struggles with it. a lot of times i feel like people pass it off as if it doesnt bother them and that really irks me! its hard to dress differently than others and sometimes it really gets to me. i admire certain fashion styles and lament that i have to "doctor it up" to be able to wear it. i worry sometimes about looking like a freak in the summer while being jealous of girls running around in cute little sundresses. thats why i totally like fall and winter more...because i dont stand out so much:)
shey, you are truly an inspiration to us all! thank you so much for sticking to your convictions when it would be much easier and more convienent to throw them by the wayside and just do what everyone else does.

~Ally
http://modestlyfashioned.blogspot.com/

Hi Shey,

You bet I'm going to comment on this one first :) I'm glad you are able to see through religion versus personal conviction. I agree that you shouldn't dis other people's convictions. I don't ever do that with other people either unless they are asking my opinion of their choices. A lot of what is said in the bible have good and moral reasons behind them more than just laws for the sake of laws. Some of the laws in the Old Testament are a mystery to us, but I am sure that they have benefits to following them such as not eating certain types of "unclean" food. Although I don't follow that rule completely, I think that my body probably would be much better off without the "unclean" food the Bible is talking about. Same goes with modesty. Although I wear jewelry and pants, I think that restricting myself form jewelry or pants may actually do me more good than harm, but I do not follow that because my actions haven't caused harm or much harm to others or myself.

As for Pam's comment: I don't think that all men's rules for "controlling" women are all bad. Most of them, if not abused, are beneficial to women like for their protection. Biblically, men were made to be the leaders and head of the household. In the same way, men are also in need of controlling, and that is why we women need to balance that.

Shey, thank you by the way for your response to my post on content restriction. I feel like I've been closed off from the world for doing so (even though I listen to music), but I think all that negative comment especially visual content does more damage to my husband and I than good. I am sure that your choice to avoid these things with your son is also benefiting both of you. You aren't alone in this, and I am glad to know that we are also not alone in this!