[Home]  [GFCF Recipe Index]  [Frugal Food Storage]  [Biblical Womanhood]  [Archived Recipe Index]  [Links] [New Blog]  [Old Fashioned Education]  [Prairie Homemaker]  [My Mother's Blog] Dressing Modestly--My Testimony I have been a fashion maven (some would say victim) since I was a preteen.  I discovered fashion at about 10 or 11.  Since then I have followed it loyally with the same rapture some men reserve for their favorite sports teams.  As my body shape changed from slender and youthful, to motherly and round, my sense of fashion changed to match, but I still maintained a close eye on that which was deemed "fashionable" by magazines, designers and teens on the street.  I just adapted current trends to flatter my figure as it changed. My wardrobe had a life and room all it's own. When I discovered veiling, a wonderful relief hit me out of the blue sky.  Suddenly all of my old clothes, which had meant so much to me, took on a superfluous air.  I had spent years scratching money out of our budget, to create a wardrobe which allowed me to blend in in a myriad of circumstances.  I had "uniforms" of sorts for each situation I might encounter in public.  There was my Upper Class Yuppie Mother disguise.  It allowed me to casually attend school functions while appearing affluent and respectable.  I also had Hippie Nature Girl for spring time outings with the family, when I wished to create the impression of natural youthfulness.  These were just a few of the disguises I labored to create, so that I would appear appropriate in every circumstance.  My wardrobe had a life and room all it's own.  Robbing my family of precious resources and storage space because I so desperately needed to feel fashionable, became second nature to me.  With our culture there are so many different variables to dress, that it was exhausting (and expensive) to find myself trying to encapsulate each one.  ...as the weekly laundry decreased, I found myself increasingly relieved. Then I was blessed with the veil.  I placed it on my head, and realized immediately that a new era was being created both in my heart, and my closet.  I found myself gravitating towards my jumpers day after day as the weeks rolled by.  The skirts, sweaters, slacks, and blouses held little allure for me, as I donned my modest uniform and went about my daily routines.  I began packing clothing away in large quantities as it became clear to me that certain items were merely a waste of closet space.  As I let more and more items go, and the weekly laundry decreased, I found myself increasingly relieved.  These are skills which further my family's financial freedom. Letting go of  worldly fashion influences has been a challenge for me at times.  It has always been a blessing though.  When I go to the fabric store to pick out a new print for a jumper, I am guided by my Creator.  I prefer small subtle floral patterns, which please me, but have very little to do with the Fashion Picture at large.  I am more satisfied with my clothing, because so much of it comes from my own handiwork.  Instead of taking pride in my ability to emulate designers, I am able to find a more genuine pride, in the quality of my stitches, and delicacy of my work.  These are skills which further my family's financial freedom, and increase my ability to maintain my family's warmth.  When I sew instead of purchasing I am "looking well to the ways of my household."  My spirit is at rest. Now-days, I prefer a uniform.  I wear a jumper, both in summer and winter, then a t-shirt or turtleneck,  and a veil to top off my glory.  I shine in this outfit.  My spirit is at rest, and my energy level is increased.  I am able to take on all of my responsibilities with gracious strength and womanly patience.  If you are having trouble finding modest clothing or patterns to your liking, you may check out my links page.  There are many ideas to choose from, and I find browsing the sites quite inspirational.  Regular sources of clothing are worth looking into as well.  Most of my knit shirts come from Walmart and are very reasonably priced. I also buy fabric, and patterns there at significant discounts. Other discount stores also have very inexpensive basics which only need to be purchased on a yearly basis.  I'm thinking of leggings and boots, for when the weather is cold, and also, shoes, socks and intimate apparel.  Thrift stores and yard sales are also excellent sources of basic needs.  Smaller sizes are most abundant, but larger sizes are available with patient browsing.  As a plus size woman, I find it easier to buy certain things at Walmart.  My more slender sisters will be able to take advantage of many bargains by purchasing used clothing however, and I would be remiss not to mention it.  In your investigations, if you come across any items of  clothing you aren't sure about, then pray over them, and before you know it, you will find yourself claiming them or discarding them with ease and directness.  Decisions will become second nature in a short time. [Home]  [GFCF Recipe Index]  [Frugal Food Storage]  [Biblical Womanhood]  [Archived Recipe Index]  [Links] [New Blog]  [Old Fashioned Education]  [Prairie Homemaker]  [My Mother's Blog] GFCF = Gluten Free & Casein Free The Christian Counter © FrugalAbundance 2007-2008  :-)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.--1 Peter 4:8-10