We've attended a church for over 10 years now that believes and preaches that women should wear only dresses and skirts of modest length. I must admit, that I've always thought this was an "interpretation" by our Pastor, but not did not clearly see where the Bible instructed this. I've been convicted about this recently (yes, it's taken almost 11 years). I bought a book and done online research of the Greek language and am now convinced that this is a biblical principle. Obviously, this is a HUGE step for someone that has spent the last 30+ years in jeans and shorts/capris. I'm looking for others for support on this. As I look at my closet, I see very little I can wear. I have always worn skirts/dresses to church, as I always believed that was the attire for church, but now I need casual attire as well. It's not easy when it's 10 degrees out either.
When a co-worker converted to a sect that preached a similar doctrine on wardrobe (only I believe her church was more of a cult than a denomination) she found a website that instructed her on how to turn her jeans into skirts. She saved a lot of money that way, only reserving a few pairs of pants for work type days. Don't forget about tights and/or leggings. The leggings of the 80s have grown in popularity again, so you can find them at just about any store. Wearing them under your skirts will help keep you warm. Even a capri length bike pant will stay hidden and that lycra can really help with warmth. When I wear skirts in the winter I tend to wear a pair of stockings or tights with a pair of knee highs over them.
I believe the same. My pastor has taught this his whole ministry. I have been under him since I was 6 years old and worn nothing but skirts and dresses. But it is not because of his preaching that I do it. It is a presonal conviction for me. I have 2 dds that have only worn dresses and skirts all their lives. Its funny that Amie mentions about the making jeans into skirts, because I made 3 of them this past weekend for my dd 9. I can post picks if you want to see them. If you can sew they are easy to make. I dont sew that well, but I can do this. You can get jean skirts at Old Navy.com that are long. For the warmth, we wear leggings or tights under our skirts. I get really cute tights for my girls at The childrens place, or Old Navy. They have stripes or flowers or other designs. They are so cute.
I couldn't agree more 4kidsmom. I was never under conviction regarding my attire until recently and was not going to change just because someone told me they thought it was right. I had to SEE it and research it for myself, then reach my own conviction. I'm like that with everything in my life--good or bad I don't know. I have a sewing machine, but do not know how to sew. If you want to post your pics, I'd love to see them. It's so hard to find cute dresses for little girls. My daughter is 6 and I wouldn't let her wear half of the "dresses" I see at the stores now days. She's 6, not 26!
Girl, you read my mind! lol I get so tired of seeing all these little girls dressed as though they are 20. I also have made a skirt from a pair of jean shorts. Give me few mins. and I will post some pics. I just want to say that I think its great what you are doing. Especially for your girls. I think society today is making our girls grow up waaaaay to fast and cares nothing for making ladies out of them.
I too, only wear skirts/dresses and for me this is also a matter of personal conviction. I've bought things at Goodwill before, good if you need a lot of clothes but don't have much money. Cato's is my new favorite place to shop, they have cute stuff that lasts at very reasonable prices. I'm in Texas so staying warm is not really a problem, a long skirt and boots does fine. Staying cool in the summer is a whole 'nuther matter!! I NEVER wore dresses growing up, as a teenager I would wear jeans to church when I could get away with it! I had friends who wore only dresses and I told them they were crazy! Every arguement than can be given, I gave. This was not something I was EVER going to do! I'm telling you this to say, when God put it on my heart it was not a hard change to make. I'm as stubborn and hard-headed as they come, but when God convicted me, He also helped me to change. And I think He'll do the same for you. Lisa
I wanted something stylish. You can buy all kinds of jeans with fancy stuff on them, why not the skirts? Well you can, I have seen them, but you pay a BIG price for them. My dh asked me yesterday, "Is it that much more expensive to just buy the skirt, than making it?" Then I told him how much I would be paying to buy just a plain jean skirt let alone one with a little flair. He was shocked!
I was just going to suggest making your own and was beat to the punch with some fabulous skirts. Wow, those are really cool!
Thanks. I really dont sew that well, but I am teaching myself. My mother sewed for me when I was a girl. She even made my prom dresses too. I picked up some things from her, but teaching myself the rest. If I can do it anyone can.
Very cute, I would have to really be convicted to switch, But I have tons of friends who wear only skirts.... Some made them from Cords, jeans, dress pants ect....
So does anyone want to share links, resources, etc. that helped you come to this conviction? It's something I've always been curious about. I have one friend who only wears skirts, but she is part of a denomination that I don't really agree with entirely, so I never really asked her for more info. Thanks in advance for sharing!
Those skirts are awesome, great job! I don't have the same convictions but I've always wanted to do something like that to my daughters jeans that I just don't like for one reason or another.
4kidsmom ~ I LOVE your jean skirts! They are adorable!! You are so talented. You should market them. Seriously. It is so hard to find clothing in good taste, whether it's skirts, jeans, whatever. Everything now days seems to have BIG, ugly prints that you're not even sure what it is. Thanks for sharing your pics. Kari ~ Like I said, I went to a church that preached "no pants" for over ten years and am just now starting to feel convicted. I don't know if I was always just so set in my ways or just never got a clear cut, "this is why.." answer that made sense. But like you, I have always been curious. My friend always wear skirts (actually several of them), but one day I asked my one friend what exactly convicted her and she told me about this book called, "What In The World Should I Wear?" Well, I ordered it and read it. After the first time of reading it, I STILL didn't get it. Then I looked a Bible verse 1Timothy 2:9-10, and did internet research on the Greek definition of "modest apparel". Now, the book DOES tell you an exact breakdown of this verse, however, once again, I had to find my own answer within my own resources and not just take someone elses word for it. But sure enough the world modest apparel in Greek translation is Katastole, which is a long, flowing garment. So, when you substitute modest apparel with "long, flowing garment" in that passage of scripture, that is where it comes from. WHEW! Get all that??! Having said all that, I have a lot of friends that wear pants too and it's not like my transformation is going to be overnight either, but it is something that after all these years, I am finally starting to understand.
Here is a great site, For ideas. I know they wear jeans for farm work and all but she does make her own things.. Dresses, skirts ect!!! http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/ http://thefamilyhomestead.com/sewingcrafts.htm Be Blessed
http://www.sewnews.com/library/sewnews/qa/aaqa1202a.htm http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/efs_jeans_skirt.html Heres 2 different links I found that show how to make jeans into a skirt. Thank you, your very kind. They look great in the pics. I wish they looked that good here. Im still teaching myself, so there is a lot left to be desired. lol
If you feel the conviction to switch to skirts and dresses than that is what you should do. My church does not take that stance. However, most women still wear skirts and dresses. I normally do and usually my dd's do also. I think the disconnect in what women should wear comes when one believes her salvation or spirituality is in her clothes and one believes she is honoring God by dressing in a proper manner. So, those who were trying not to "wear" her spirituality or felt that was silly decided clothes were not important. I think that is like throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is not one or the other...it is not I choose to only wear skirts or dresses because my spirituality is wrapped up in it or I can wear what I like. Geesh..I hope that made sense. lol. I believe, that if someone feels convicted to honor God through her clothing she should do it. I don't "look down" on or think less spiritually of a person based on clothing however, I perfer to present my best. I mean, we do that when going out to dinner with our dh's or going to wedding, right? Why should God get any less? At any rate...I am happy you are following the conviction in your life. I pray you and your family will be blessed by it. Your kids will see you obeying the Lord and that will be a huge lesson.
I definitely understand the concept of wanting to give God our best, and I agree with that. Any conviction I've ever felt regarding this issue has been related to that. I don't have daughters, but if I did, I would be all over the modesty issue, too! It really bothers me how little girls go around dressed like teenagers. Skirts and dresses make me feel more feminine, and I like that. And as a larger woman, I just plain look better in skirts. I guess what I still wonder, though, is at what point do we separate cultural customs of the day from literal Biblical translation? Most women I know don't cover their heads or refrain from cutting their hair, even if they do wear skirts. Didn't most people wear "long, flowing garments" in biblical times? I honestly don't mean to be argumentative, so please don't take this that way. It's just the questions I've had inside over this topic. We all have to seek God in our own lives and obey what He's telling us to do.
