Is Modesty the New Black?

Versace Spring 2010

Marc Jacobs. Dolce & Gabbana. Versace. These are just some of the most prominent and successful names within the fashion industry. It goes without saying that these fashion powerhouses majorly influence, or even determine, the fashion normative. And it also goes without saying how ridiculously obscene some of the women's clothing can get. Super low cut dresses that reveal major cleavage, skirts that ride up high enough to see the goodies - it exceeds all boundaries of modesty and practicality.

Every season, it seems as though fashion is becoming more emphasized by sex appeal. More designers are creating clothing that deliberately accentuates a woman's curves and shows a whole lotta leg. Now, this supposed notion that the fashion industry advocates indecency and encourages ostentation in women completely opposes the strict Christian belief of instilling purity and modesty in girls and young women. It's no wonder that Christian groups have furiously decided to take a stand against the luxury fashion labels that pervaded society with Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Mini Dresses and Floral Lace Thong Bodysuits. Ugh.

Pure Fashion Show 2007

So as a sort of counteract response to the fashion industry's outlook on how young women should dress, a Christian-based program, Pure Fashion, created the Pure Fashion Show, a fashion show that showcased clothing that's "pretty but not provocative, trendy but still tasteful." The show featured young girls wearing modest clothing, from below-the-knee dresses to knitted cardigans to cover their bare shoulders. The Pure Fashion program encouraged young women "to live, act, and dress in accordance with their dignity as the children of God" and "live the virtues of modesty and purity in their schools and communities." This is a clear example of how Christianity and popular culture intertwine to convey a certain message. In this case, Christianity uses fashion to denote the importance of fostering a life of grace and modesty through the purity of heart, mind, and body. It also expresses the essentiality for Christians to attain a life of modesty and purity because in a deeper sense, they will be attaining a life of temperance and reason. In other words, a good Christian life is a life void of indulgence and excess - a life of simplicity.

Although I seemed to have bashed the fashion industry into oblivion, all is not lost for the fashion world. Chanel and Christian Dior are great examples of intertwining trendy and fresh with tasteful and modest. But like any other luxury brand, it's certainly excessive. But that's another story.