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How to Keep it Classy this Summer

Dress Like You Mean It

As I browsed through the clothing racks of my favorite store the other day, my thoughts were something similar to “so if you pair the high waisted shorts with a crop top, the shirt won’t be short anymore… But then the shorts are too short too… so either way my entire legs and potentially my stomach and probably everything else will be exposed to the world and there’s no support for classy dress anymore and I’m going to have to knit my own clothes this summer.” … And that is probably where most people who are trying to dress modestly find themselves around this time of year. So what do we do? Do we give up entirely or do we spend hours looking on Pinterest for “modest summer clothes” and hunting down any lead we can find to the nearest clothing of reasonable length?

It is hard to be classy and keep up with trends at the same time. I am—and always have been—very much into fashion. I enjoy seeing new colors and styles that are on the market and I love helping friends pick out their outfits for special occasions.
Summer has always been a tricky season to dress for. It’s hot, people are all wearing basically nothing, and it’s hot. It’s hot. And it can be really hot. Modesty seems to be the last thing that people are worrying about from June to September and I get it because literally—it’s hot.

However, something that I want to remind us all of is that regardless of our temperature, we are our brother’s and also our sister’s keeper. Additionally, we are the ones that God has trusted to take care of our bodies. Don’t forget that when we choose to wear something, we will be around men who are the future husbands of our sisters in Christ… We will be around our little sisters in Christ who are looking for someone to look up to, we will be around our fellow sisters who are influenced by what we wear.

What you wear matters.

So I am including below some of my tried and true approaches to summer fashion. I have also included some suggestions of where I like to find these articles of clothing. There are definitely more places out there where you can find these things.

#1) MONOKINI.
Wow what a strange word. Basically, one pieces are all the rage right now anyway so this fashion pick is not only modest – but is also extremely cute and current.

#2) 3 ½” TWILL SHORTS
These shorts are super cute and also very in right now. The length is comfortable and is neither too short nor too long. I know that there are people who are taller than me so there are also 4 and 5” varieties. My favorite place to buy these are
-Old Navy
-TJ Maxx
-Tommy Hilfiger (outlet)

#3) TOPS- ¾ SLEEVE BUTTON DOWNS, SLOUCHY TEES, AND THICK-STRAP TANK TOPS.
Shirts are a little easier to pick out. My advice for tops is to make sure you can move around in them without feeling like you’re going to fall out of them. If you can feel the breeze on your stomach or torso, you might want to go back to store and buy an entire shirt.

My personal picks for places to buy tops:
-Marshalls
-Loft
-Kohls (The Lauren Conrad Collection is great)
-Once again TJ Maxx
-Old Navy
-Jones New York

It is all too easy to buy summer clothes without thinking too much about what effect our choices will have on others. Let’s strive to leave a positive impact on those around us by dressing in such a way that we honor our dignity and theirs. Let us be good sisters to one another. Let us be unapologetically fashionable and above all, let us be a little bit classy and a whole lot of holy.

While it may require a little bit more shopping around than usual, a classy, smart, and fashionable wardrobe is definitely within reach. Do it for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Clothe your body in a way that reflects your inherent dignity.

I am praying for you all as you enter this season of difficult fashion trends.

God loves you so much and so do I !

1 Corinthians 13

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RebekahRebekah Hardy lives in New Jersey and is a Junior at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland where she majors in Theology and Education. She is the vice president of the SGA executive board for her university, is a retreat leader for Campus Ministry, and is a FOCUS student leader. She enjoys playing sports, praying the Rosary, and drinking all different kinds of coffee. Connect with her through her blogand Facebook or on Twitter at @bekahhardy7.

 

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