Around St Blog's: July 2006 Archives

HT: Ms. Eden of course.

Curt Jester has a bit on Feministe's reaction to Bishops Yanta's letter on modesty.

As always, I ask the question, why does she give a s*&t what we believe? It is not her culture or her belief. I always find it funny how in the time of "celebrating diversity", the very notion of another group believing that a woman should command respect from men rather than simply be leered at as a sex object is so offensive to them. But hey, when you deal with people who are obsessed with "me and my body", it is hard for them to grasp the notion that nobody is talking to them. This is a letter for Catholics, it is not about them and their therapy.

She also has an entry where she takes task to Wholesome Wear swimsuits. Three years ago, I made one for RoseyPosey that summer. Peony and Greg Popcak in a funny rendition of an old Wendy's commercial thought it was a bit much (the comments sadly did not import from blogger, nor did the picture of RoseyPosey in her swimsuit). At that time, I was a bit more on the modesty-obsession train. I have calmed down a bit as I found personally, it became an obsession in and of itself that hindered, not helped my faith. Stepping out from the outside and seeing the people who are really big into this issue, it boggles my mind how people fail to see good qualities in a person simply because they are wearing jeans.
Likewise, I cannot stand hearing the polar opposite: "I wear nice, comfortable shorts and baggy tee shirts and that is modestly appropriate for everyone!"No it's not. Some people do not feel comfortable like that (amd some need a dose of What Not To Wear). The Catholic Church has yet to put out any specific guidelines about what to wear, they just ask for good judgement and to purposely not to dress a manner that is titillating. Simply put, women are allowed to have their own flava (which is what baffles me about Feministe-I would think it would be a concept a feminist would grasp most). I really liked dressing modestly. There is something very freeing and comfortable about it. I also like fashion though, so I just try to blend the two when possible. Sometimes one side wins out more over the other.

Realistically though, fashion these days is ridiculous. It does not cover enough. Don't take my word for it, look around. The majority of women/tweens/teens who are dressed in what the current trends are do not look flattering, but uncomfortable. How many times do you see girls adjusting their low-cut pants and high top shirts when they move? And what about the term "muffin tops". Having love handles sticking out over your jeans is so common there is cute terminology for it? Yeesh. How many bra straps do we see sticking out of tops because the fashions do not lend themselves to pratical undergarments that women have at home in their drawer? Practicality and comfort have been lost to imagined "sexiness". Sexy does not look sexy when it looks like you are trying way too hard.

And swimsuits, I'm sorry, but even in my heathen days, I never understood the concept that all of a sudden, it was acceptable to be in the equivalent of your underwear because you are near water. If you go to the Jersey Shore, there are a lot of people walking around that makes you wish they desperately had a Wholesome Wear suit. In stead of seeing a lovely face or even what would be a lovely figure with a bit more clothes on, you are assaulted with the information that people need to utilise the modern marvel of bikini waxing much more often than they do.