Modest Dressing Mommas - Page 24

[Magelet]

I'm interested to hear the ideas for regency coverings, I'm very interested in stuff like that.

As for modesty in the heat, I actually find that a long skirt can be cooler than shorts. A long flowy very lightweight cotton skirt flows in the breeze and lets any breeze in, but keeps the sun off, and is more comfortable. I know it's a weird idea, but it works well for me. If you think about it, more covering, loose clothes are quite common in hot areas. think of beduoin and arab dress. It keeps the sun off. hth

[wytchywoman]

I never thought about it that way Magelet. Thanks!!! Going to have to do some hunting for some gypsy skirts for summer time.

[Dillpicklechip]

Originally Posted by Magelet

As for modesty in the heat, I actually find that a long skirt can be cooler than shorts. A long flowy very lightweight cotton skirt flows in the breeze and lets any breeze in, but keeps the sun off, and is more comfortable. I know it's a weird idea, but it works well for me. If you think about it, more covering, loose clothes are quite common in hot areas. think of beduoin and arab dress. It keeps the sun off. hth

I find the same thing. My mom is always saying to me in the summer, "Oh, how can you stand to wear that long skirt!" But I find it's cooler to not have the sun's rays beating directly on my skin.

[smeisnotapirate]

Ditto. I love long, loose clothing in the summer.

[wytchywoman]

So what exactly is considered modest dress. I'm sure it's pretty subjective but are there standard guidelines that most of you have in common? Some of it I'm sure is kind of common sense like no cleavage, no bootay showing out the bottom of your skirt, stuff like that....do some of you wear pants, or only skirts and dresses? What about sleeve length?

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by Dillpicklechip

I find the same thing. My mom is always saying to me in the summer, "Oh, how can you stand to wear that long skirt!" But I find it's cooler to not have the sun's rays beating directly on my skin.

Oh my god yes. When I was in Luxor in the summer the difference in comfort between the tourists who all thought tank tops and short shorts and just as much bare skin as possible were the way to go and everyone else in long, loose cotton was incredibly plain. I can not count the number of sweaty, beet-red men I saw walking around taking off skimpy shirts to try to use them as makeshift parasols to better block the sun from their heads, arms, and legs. Desert climate? Cover it up.

I will say, though, that out of the direct sun in humid climates, less clothes can feel better. They just can. But long, light, loose clothes which allow for a lot of air circulation aren't really hotter than shorter clothes ... there's just less there to stick to you in that kind of icky way that clothes can when you're sweaty.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by wytchywoman

So what exactly is considered modest dress. I'm sure it's pretty subjective but are there standard guidelines that most of you have in common? Some of it I'm sure is kind of common sense like no cleavage, no bootay showing out the bottom of your skirt, stuff like that....do some of you wear pants, or only skirts and dresses? What about sleeve length?

Well- I have personal modesty standards of things I prefer.
I prefer skirts over pants, but I do have a lot of pants left over from when I wore them a lot. I dont have a lot of money currently, and the thrift stores haven't had many skirts that fit me, so I am wearing what I have.
I do prefer to have my clevage covered, but again- I am making due with what I have, for now. I will wear camis to cover as much as I can, but as a 40H, sometimes even a cami isn't enough. As for sleeves, I vastly prefer elbow length over short-sleeve and long-sleeve. It is a nice compromise between the two. I also prefer looser clothing, but not so loose that I look pudgy.
LoL- a good rule of thumb, IMHO, is loose enough to look like a lady and tight enough to look like a woman.

http://www.sensibility.com/share/melissafrontclose2.jpg

[PatienceAndLove]

odd question-
What is y'alls prefered undergarments? I usually wear just a bra, but I am feeling pulled toward making and wearing stays. The structure seems like it would be a lot more supportive for an endowed lady, such as myself, and would provide some nice back support. Did a mention redistributing for a smoother look? lol.
And the stays seem like it would be a lot more comfy than a corset.

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove

And the stays seem like it would be a lot more comfy than a corset.

I'm not clear on the difference between the two?

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by Liquesce

I'm not clear on the difference between the two?

Corsets are heavily boned for waist reduction, while it seems that stays are lightly boned or corded for support. Short stays were very common during the Regency era, but long stays were also used.
The main difference (from what I have gleaned from reading, as I have never worn stays) seems to be that while a corset squishes and redistributes, stays seem to just support the back and breasts with light waist reduction.

[phathui5]

Some of it I'm sure is kind of common sense like no cleavage, no bootay showing out the bottom of your skirt, that....do some of you wear pants, or only skirts and dresses? What about sleeve length? stuff like

For me, I only wear skirts that are ankle length, so there's no anything showing out of the bottom of my skirt. I will wear T-shirts, but not shirts that are totally sleeveless.

[smeisnotapirate]

I try to follow the Jewish law of tzniut. That means covered collarbone and elbows, covered knees, all skirts. I'll admit that oftentimes I wear pants, which doesn't fit with tznius, but I always have my knees, collarbone, and elbows covered.

[KempsMama]

We are Catholic, and the last real writings on dress are from Padre Pio, and are not from the Church herself, so it's very much an individual thing.

That being said, my self imposed dress code, formed with the help of my DH, is something like this:

Dresses/skirts unless not appropriate (example: I CANNOT bowl in a dress. Major FAIL. So this is one rare exception.)
Hemline to the knee, although I often add leggings under my knee length dresses for additional "movement" modesty, as I have a 2 year old.
Cleavage covered, although I must admit this is a struggle as I am well endowed. I would move more towards a collar bone rule, however DH discourages this.
I wear short sleeves, although I avoid them whenever I can. That's more of a comfort issue.

While modesty is a large part of my wardrobe choices, femininity is an equal consideration.

[Magelet]

Originally Posted by wytchywoman

So what exactly is considered modest dress. I'm sure it's pretty subjective but are there standard guidelines that most of you have in common? Some of it I'm sure is kind of common sense like no cleavage, no bootay showing out the bottom of your skirt, stuff like that....do some of you wear pants, or only skirts and dresses? What about sleeve length?

For me, modesty is.... subjective to the weather. I will admit that in those hot muggy days, I have worn even strapless dresses out, because I can't stand any more fabric sticking to me than I must. In general, dress for me is based off the idea that I want to look attractive, lady-like, feminine, and pretty. I do not want to look sexual, slutty, etc.
My general standards are:
-long skirts are preferable (mostly for personal style, and fun. they are so fun!), shorter skirts (around knee length) are fine as weather appropriate.
-when I need to, I will wear pants (like for work). only when needed. they are not "skin tight" jeans, though they are fairly tighter than I might like. (from pre-modest days, but I can't afford new jeans. they don't fit anymore though, so they're less tight).
-sleeves should be weather appropriate. I don't mind short sleeves, or even tank tops (but not the spagetti strap top, for the most part.) if it's hot out. however they do look sometimes odd with a long skirt AND headcovering long sleeves in winter, short in summer. I will even wear spagetti strap leotards and pants for workout, because a leotard is what I'm most comfortable working out in.
-clothes should not over emphasis my bust, butt, etc.
-clothes should be neither too baggy as to make me look unkempt, fat, or otherwise ugly, but should not be skintight. fitted is best. (exception would be leotards. I grew up in them. they feel perfect to me. to me they aren't sexual. I will wear a leotard and a skirt as an outfit happily.)
-I also cover my head in public and in front of unrelated men (and sometimes women I don't know well, it depends on how I feel)

they're just my standards, what I'm comfortable with.

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove

odd question-
What is y'alls prefered undergarments? I usually wear just a bra, but I am feeling pulled toward making and wearing stays. The structure seems like it would be a lot more supportive for an endowed lady, such as myself, and would provide some nice back support. Did a mention redistributing for a smoother look? lol.
And the stays seem like it would be a lot more comfy than a corset.

umm that would be panties. I don't do bras (except very very rare special occasions, where I need the "shape". But it's so so comfy not to wear bras, and since I've always hated them, I've realized I don't want to live my life in that much discomfort. If I'm having bouncing issues, I wear a leotard under my clothes, and the ladies get squished close enough not to bounce. problem solved.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by Magelet

umm that would be panties. I don't do bras (except very very rare special occasions, where I need the "shape". But it's so so comfy not to wear bras, and since I've always hated them, I've realized I don't want to live my life in that much discomfort. If I'm having bouncing issues, I wear a leotard under my clothes, and the ladies get squished close enough not to bounce. problem solved.

The ability to go braless boggles my mind! I cannot remember the last time I was able to do that!!! *grumbles about being well endowed*

[Magelet]

come check out the bra free tribe if you want. I know there are some VERY well endowed mamas who love life bra free. (bra free and support free don't have to be the same, there are many women who wear camis, shelf bras, soft bras, and other things.)
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...light=bra+free

[jul511riv]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

I try to follow the Jewish law of tzniut. That means covered collarbone and elbows, covered knees, all skirts. I'll admit that oftentimes I wear pants, which doesn't fit with tznius, but I always have my knees, collarbone, and elbows covered.

yea, dat.

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove

The ability to go braless boggles my mind! I cannot remember the last time I was able to do that!!! *grumbles about being well endowed*

i cant find a bra that fits, so ive been unhappily braless for over a month now...i'm a 36H or I. I can also wear 34's. The largest bra i could find is an FF. Whenever I put it on I get engorged.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by jul511riv

i cant find a bra that fits, so ive been unhappily braless for over a month now...i'm a 36H or I. I can also wear 34's. The largest bra i could find is an FF. Whenever I put it on I get engorged.

I finally got fitted, and learned I was NOT a 38 DDD, but a 40H.
Lane Bryant has some turbo uber comfy bras.
Have you checked out Bra Experience?

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by Magelet

come check out the bra free tribe if you want. I know there are some VERY well endowed mamas who love life bra free. (bra free and support free don't have to be the same, there are many women who wear camis, shelf bras, soft bras, and other things.)
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...light=bra+free

Thank you for the invite, but dislike my body shape when I don't have firm support.

[xekomaya]

subbing! Should have done it a while ago but now I'm pregnant and crabby and nothing at all fits so I'm going to keep a close eye on the thread.

I'm waiting for New Creation to update their inventory (they say it's coming soon!) and hopefully they'll have some skirts that fit me. I have to check target for some long sleeves. I'm hoping they still have the liz lange "transition" type shirts they had last time I was pregnant.

Does anyone know of very wide leg pants that are either elastic-y enough to fit during pregnancy or actually for pregnancy? Style-wise, I'm thinking something like the Shkur pants, but I'm not sure if they'll stay up.

Its nice to meet you all!