Embracing Modesty, No. 4
This week we’re talking about teens again. In Embracing Modesty, No. 1 we showed some of the girls’ outfits. It ain’t easy folks, to be a teen, look hip (do teens say hip anymore?), be modest and feminine.
Even if some of these outfits are things you wouldn’t wear, I hope you’ll find some inspiration to create your own style and still be modest and comfortable. If this is your first time here, you might want to read the post I wrote a couple of years ago (boy looking back the girls have changed so much!) about our beliefs on modesty. This is definitely not a set of rules, just our own convictions.
Today our model is Faith. She’s 17 and very creative with her clothing. My girls like a sleeve that’s too long. They will sometimes add an extra cuff to make it longer. Then layer it. Darling.
I know we started off telling where we bought each piece, but honestly most of our things are so old or thrift or hand-me-down that even if we could remember it would be useless to you. I will say that most of our skirts are from Cato and we think we got the green shirt at aeropostale.
In No. 1 we showed a vest that Faith made using another vest as a pattern. This is the original that she uses when she wants to make a new one. She likes the shape so she wears it a lot in different ways. There was some discussion in the comments over the shape of the front. We don’t mind it, but if it bothers you then it would be easy to make yourself one that covered more.
The white shirt here is one of my old shirts. I was getting rid of it, so she took it and stitched it smaller to fit her. She wears it all different ways. It’s so cute that now I wish I had it back! The scarf is a piece of an old skirt that she cut up.
This next look was a stay at home day. The t-shirt was frumpy, so she cut it off at the waist and wears it over another t. This skirt is right at the edge of the length I am comfortable with, but as long as they don’t go over the boundaries I am happy. I think she looks adorable!
Here’s that same vest again with the same skirt and boots, but different tops underneath. I love how she takes so little and makes so many outfits with it. I have always been that way….when I was her age I used to keep charts so I didn’t wear the same thing twice in a month.
She made the colored necklace by wrapping beads with fabric and the shorter chain she made with hairpins! She’s an accessory girl…like her mamma!
I hope you’re enjoying this series as much as we are enjoying sharing it with you!
Feel free to discuss your thoughts in the comments. Modesty is something we can all challenge one another on!
Check out the rest of this series in our Embracing Modesty Gallery!
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She is wonderfully modest & hip! Thank you for posting about this topic.
Thanks Angela! I appreciate you making me feel more hip by using the word again. LOL! Lisa~
Oh she’s lovely … and has a real eye for ‘a look’, methinks.
I have the imagination of a sparrow (assuming sparrows aren’t imaginative. Apologies to sparrows if they are) … but I do love the layered look. It’s become so much easier to be modest with the layers. for myself, I always like 3/4 sleeves (covers the tops 😉 and makes it easy to work with my wrists free of clothing)
Homeschool, I agree…I love a 3/4 sleeve. Not only does it do what you said, but it cover the old lady arm flaps. (or am I the only one with those?) Lisa~
Lisa, what a lovely girl Faith is!! I love seeing all the things she does with her clothing–she shows imagination and flair all while being very tasteful and modest.
As I’ve told you, I imagine that you and I may have some different ideas about various subjects but one thing’s for sure: we both have the same idea about extending grace to others. I love, love, love the way you are not “preachy” with these posts. Honestly, modesty is an issue about which it would be easy for all of us to get on our soapboxes about, but I don’t think that’s helpful. What you’re doing here IS helpful. You’re encouraging us all to think about what our appearances say about what’s in our hearts (“out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks,” Jesus said). We must all be examining our hearts and listening to the Spirit as He guides us into a life of righteousness, peace, and joy.
Way to go, girl!
Thanks Richella! I appreciate that you see through to the heart. That is, after all, really the point. Lisa~
I’ve enjoyed all these posts. I’m going to have to help my girls be more creative with their looks. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.
Great series Lisa! Now I have to back-up and read the rest!
I love how you are allowing your daughter to express her own style but within the “boundaries” that the family has established. AWESOME!
I struggle with my 14 yo daughter and her “style”, but allowing her the freedom to not have to be “Pollyanna” will be healthy for her and her faith in the long run. THANKS!
Beautiful!!
She looks lovely! And I thought I was the only teen who kept track of outfits so as not to over-wear them!
Mary, long past that stage now…
So, so cute. My oldest loves to layer as well. I like it, because it seems that the more layers she adds, the more modest it becomes. I have really enjoyed these posts on modesty. It has been a good reminder to stay vigilant in the quest for modest dress. And I love to see your heart for this issue.
I love her creativity! What I also think is really neat is how enthusiastic you are about your daughter’s style.
When I look around me, I notice how hard cute, modest dressing is for teenage girls (and their parents). It seems to me that you’ve done an excellent job of instilling them with values and confidence, starting at a young age. I try to observe and remember that kind of stuff in case I am ever entrusted with daughters to raise.
I LOVE that she has embraced modesty, doesn’t look frumpy in anyway, and has her own style!
As a Momma of 4 daughters (21, 18, 13, 10) I know this is no easy task!
I salute you Pennington ladies!
Well done!
Lisa, I have really been enjoying this series. I was raised in a religion that enforced modesty, & they did not wear pants either. Even though I do wear pants now, it is because I fall frequently, & would have a hard time picking myself up with a dress on & being modest about it. I also wear blouses that are loose fitting & long enough to cover my stomach (& believe me, that’s saying something… LOL!) as well as my posterior.
I think Faith is absolutely beautiful (just like her mother), & I love the was she dresses. As far as some of her tops drawing attention to her chest, well, after all, she is a young woman with a young woman’s figure, & I don’t think that there’s anything immodest about any of the things she is wearing. She can’t help it if she has a figure! 🙂
Lovely outfits! I’m enjoying this series of posts a great deal!
I’d love to hear how Faith made her necklace with hairpins 🙂
Beautiful and hip! I love how your family create new out of old! Very eco-friendly and frugal!
Your girls are so beautiful, and all of you dress so adorably! I’m bookmarking your blog for mix and match ideas! I love the layered looks – so cute! Myself and my three girls are solely skirt/dress wearers. I don’t want our family to look frumpy, which is what is commonly associated with modest dressing, but rather fashionable. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!
I love the way they can take something old and make it new again….I just starting looking at your posts last night and I am inspired…..I wanna go make something new again….Like you, I am a little more rounded so I have my basic pieces and switch them up with the outter pieces…..Kuddos to you and your daughters.
Do you think words and pockets draw attention to chest and bottom.
Hi Marion! We are careful about that. I think it depends on the words and pockets. Phrases that require you to stare and read might, but a logo is less of a stare thing. Pockets the same…if they’re pulling your eyes down. But not all pockets do that. It’s definitely a balance! Thanks, Lisa